In Bonnie Scotland (Edinburgh, UK)

When I arrived at King's Cross Station, I thought it odd that my train was leaving from Platform 93/4, but I was up for the   unexpected detour to Hogwart's.  Sadly, when the error was discovered I was redirected to Platform 3.  As I sat in the train station, I was amazed by the number of tourists who take photographs of this delighted display, most of whom get behind the trolley as though they were rushing forward pushing it.  This site must be mentioned in all the tour guides to get that much attention.

King's Cross Station

As you can see, it is not the Hogwart's Express, but it was a very comfortable 41/2 hour train ride from London to Edinburgh.  Take a look outside the window and you will see snow on the ground.  It snowed overnight and blanketed the ground from about 10 minutes outside of London to just beyond the border with Scotland.  The ride itself was captivating as we passed villages that looked like something out of a Dickens novel.  The forests were dappled with snow, and the howling of the wind faintly sounded like Robin Hood and his merry men.  Most of the countryside was wide stretches of farm land, with hundreds upon hundreds of sheep grazing in the fields.  At different points the train hugs the coastline along the English Channel.  It is something to behold, especially the scenic beauty of a small town in Scotland on the coast, Berwick on Tweed.  It would have been a perfect Kodak moment, if I were not on the train.   On cue, as soon as the train crossed the border into Scotland, there were a couple of golf courses bordering the tracks along the coast.  If that wasn't proof enough, the next sight I see is a herd of Black Angus cows grazing in the fields.  Another fascinating sight was to see a flock of sheep grazing on the steep incline of cliffs right at the water's edge.  I guess they use the wool from those sheep to make the really hearty Scottish woolens.  All in all, it really was a magical train ride. In fact, it did have the feel of the Hogwart's Express.

I arrived in Edinburgh around 3 in the afternoon and was warmly welcomed.  I dropped off my baggage, and did a minimal amount of sightseeing.  Continuing the theme of the last 2 days, I visited another church!  This time it was the Anglican Cathedral of Edinburgh, St. Mary's.  As darkness settled over Edinburgh, I headed back to unpack and rest for the next several days of enjoying all that Edinburgh has to offer.  Cheers!