18 October, 2018

Edinburgh - Day 3 (Water of Leith and Dean Village)

After the Gory Stories tour, we hopped on a double decker bus to Stockbridge Market.

View from the top floor of the bus

Stockbridge Market is a Sunday market that is popular with local as well as tourists. I think Jessica and I were especially looking forward to eating lunch here, and just seeing what all was being offered.

It was early afternoon, however, and the place was jam packed.


We split up, and Matt and I pushed our way through the crowds looking for food. We grabbed treats for the kids, then they waited outside the fence with Matt while I went back in for my own food. I ended up at an Indian street food stall, where I got samosas and some kind of spinach and goats cheese ball things. They were amazing.


Then it started to rain. Luckily we were mostly protected by trees, and when Maillee and family joined us at the fence, we huddled together eating and trying to wait out the weather.



Luckily it didn't last long, and we were able to wander around the market a bit more. Then we were off to see the Water of Leith Walkway.

There was a point of access to the walkway near the market, and we had decided to follow it to Dean Village. There were other people, but it wasn't crowded, and it was quite peaceful. We took our time wandering and taking pictures.






The moss in the water reminded me of a Van Gogh painting.




The sun had come out, and there was no trace of the rain.






The kids were having fun running around and playing.







The path felt pretty level, so it was an easy walk. The scenery was easily my favorite of the whole trip.







Then we approached Dean Village. Founded in the 12th century, it was a successful grain milling town for over 800 years. Some of the mills have been converted into housing, and it's now a popular residential area.







The buildings have such character, and the scenery is picturesque.







We saw a sign for an art museum, and thought we would check it out. But...

Womp womp

So we just walked back up the river a little.











By this point, I think the kids were starting to get bored. And we were tired, but we weren't near any bus stops.


Luckily, we were pretty close to the Airbnb, so we just walked back.



I was touched by the story of this key.



The sign says:
     When the Palestinian refugees of 1948 and 1957 left their homes, they took their keys with them in the belief that their return was imminent.
     More than sixty years have passed, and their numbers have multiplied to around five million in Palestine, the Middle East, and beyond.
      The keys have been passed on from generation to generation as a keepsake- as a memory of their lost homes and as lasting symbols of their desired "right off return."


We made it back to the apartment, and the kids were ready to let loose and play. Matt and Marc went for Turkish takeout, which was especially delicious.



We just let the kids play while we prepared for our departure the next morning.  And again, when the kids went to bed, the adults soon followed.

The next morning the mood was sad, because we had to say goodbye. It's always the hardest part, especially for the kids, and this was no exception.

BFFs




I'm so glad we had this opportunity to go on a trip with Jessica, Marc, and Maillee. We had a great time and loved visiting and watching the kids together. I hope we get to do it again sometime!