My fourth day in Edinburgh. I’ve been writing, as evidenced by the daily posts in A Solitary Traveler, part of “Seven Days Writing in Edinburgh.” Thus reading has been less prolific, although I am now one book short of completing my 2017 Goodreads Challenge of 52 books. I’ll reach it in a day or two, taking just a little over five months. What to do? Should I revise the challenge, double it and go for 104 books for the year?
    Recording on Goodreads is an easy way to keep track of what I read, but the challenge has never been an impetus to get me reading. The challenge I began on January 1st was personal: to be a more compassionate person, and to keep from letting the news take over my life, which at best was a waste of time, and at worst added negative energy to the world. I am satisfied that I have adhered to this personal challenge, and am amused by the number of books I’ve read. For certain, reading is an essential element in writing.

     I’m settling in well as a solitary traveler here in Edinburgh. Yesterday was sunny; today the weather is changing, but no fog for me.
     The apartment (I should say flat) I’ve rented is spacious, with huge windows opening onto Queen Street Garden just across the street. The garden is for residents of surrounding flats, which, to my delight includes a preschool. I’m particularly pleased with this flat because I’m spending more time here than I did when in Florence. Edinburgh is more spread out, thus more walking to get from place to place. With no cappuccino to lure me out first thing in the morning, I’m happy to stay in with my own brew. I’ve discovered Mark & Spencer with it’s extensive, gourmet, take-out food emporium, conducive to eating in. All of this helps me experience living here, albeit for only a week, but nonetheless, inspiring the writing life.
     As I did in Florence, I’m working on an article about writing, this one, “Seven Days Writing in Edinburgh”. As a start, I plan to post each day in this blog under ‘Solitary Traveler. So far, I’ve posted Day One. It’s a draft, but at least a start.

A random, ever-unfolding itinerary today: bought tomorrow’s train ticket to Oban, successfully activated my credit card, and unsuccessfully tried to join Edinburgh Book Lovers’ Tour. Instead, I attended a noon service and piano concert and St. Giles, before enjoying a salad in their tea room. Next I wandered to the castle but the scaffolding for the August Festival has taken over the entrance, so I quickly turned around and came to the West Princes Garden.

      Here, many people are enjoying themselves, but I feel solitude; they are conversing, but I am in silence. I have simple desires today—just sit and be. And so I do.

      P.S. Internet access is difficult. I’ll add a slideshow when and if local technology improves.

I arrived in Edinburgh yesterday morning. A long trip yet wonderfully uneventful. Transportation from home to Adria House included car, bus, airplane, bus, train, and feet. I spent the afternoon walking around the city with my niece, Kristen, who was visiting from the UK where she works. Early to bed for me.

     My plan today was to set out, with no itinerary in mind, to see where I ended up going and what I ended up doing. The first stop, however, was a planned visit to Barclays Bank on Princes Street to sort out why my credit wasn’t working in the ATM machines. I don’t feel like explaining it, nor do I want to bore you with the details, but the mission was accomplished, freeing me to continue my plan to live in the moment.

       I found myself wandering through the Princes Street Garden, the castle always in view, always grounding me. Here I was, in my second favorite city, the castle reminding me of the Duomo in my very favorite city. Both structures are formidable, both here to stay, both man made, both God inspired, both with very different histories.  

      There is always the surface experience of things, but there is also the deeper meaning there for the taking as long as you look for it and expect it. On an empty bench I saw a package. Rule One: be curious, and so I was. To my surprise and delight it was a Bookcrossing package. I write more about it another day.

   Rule Two: wander, slow down, take your time, and so I did. I must have spent a couple of hours wandering about the burial groups of  St. Cuthbert Parish, the castle keeping watch over the souls, gone but remembered.

      It is now Tuesday morning and I must post this before I take a bus to Pebbles, an hour south of Edinburgh, to visit a high school friend.  Internet was not working. Now I'm back from Peebles, but that's for another day's post.

Edinburgh sun; perfect day for a hike to Arthur’s Seat, and besides it was my last day before taking the train to Oban. Why is this hill called Arthur’s Seat?  No one knows but the name leaves much to the imagination—King Arthur and all that. The walk/hike up took an hour; it’s impossible to figure the distance because there are many paths to choose from. You just wander up, hoping you’ve picked one of the easier ones. Same for the hike down.

      Silence, solitude and simplicity, but also community. I stopped to talk with a woman sitting along the path, cane by her side. She was grateful that she could climb as far as she did and was now waiting for her daughter who was making the hike to the top. “I was diagnosed with MS in ’97 and look what I can do! I’m so grateful and am just appreciating the scenery.” She went on to tell me that at age 43 she became pregnant and what a gift her daughter has been. Two days ago, on her 70th birthday, her daughter telephoned to say that they were going to Scotland for three days to celebrate. And there she was, sitting on the grass half way up Arthur’s Seat.

      I told her the ‘very grateful’ story of my mom’s last words, and then went on my way.

    I took a tour of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh yesterday morning. Magnificent!!

      The following is from their website, which I highly recommend, especially to my gardening friends. http://www.rbge.org.uk

      “The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) was founded in the 17th century as a physic garden. Now it extends over four Gardens boasting a rich living collection of plants, and is a world-renowned centre for plant science and education.
"exploring and explaining the world of plants for a better future"
“That's our mission. Without plants, there would be no life on earth. RBGE has been growing and studying plants for over 330 years, and so is perfectly placed to help document and conserve the world's diversity of plantlife.”

'Very grateful' that I was able to walk the 287 steps to the top of the Scott Monument yesterday.