Perth

A very nice couple at breakfast took the time to explain common funeral arrangements to me. They had been at the hotel several days, meeting with family who had gathered at the wake of their grandmother. After the church service and burial, the hotel was the site of several hours of reception. They seemed to feel that their churches just weren't big enough to hold a reception after the service. I suppose the oddness to me was the sign in the hotel lobby that simply announced the funeral group to be held that day. Yet for them it is common.

After one last view of Old Town Edinburgh from our window, we rode a taxi to Waverly Station to get the train to Perth. The taxi driver was very chatty; hes driving his son to nearby town this evening to interview for 1000 pound scholarship to help with his medical school. That means the driver won't get home until almost midnight tonight, but he's very proud of his son.

The countryside on the hour and half ride was beautiful. Alternating areas of fields with a few Holstein and large deep green fields, probably a barley or oats. After checking in at hotel just across from the Perth Station, we walked downtown, looking for a late lunch. Since most restaurants are only open 12-2pm, we had missed the time. We finally went in tiny Grey Friars, more a pub, serving a delicious hot beef pie with the freshest green peas I've ever eaten.

A cute group of eight older folk were having a beverage, laughing and enjoying the day. The owner sent us to the Grey Friars Vemetery just across the road on our way back to the hotel. Artful gravestones dating mostly from the nineteenth century. The wind was so strong, my hood blew off but it was only a mile to the hotel. Yards are in full bloom right now, iris and roses, even azaleas.

A lovely time the hotel spa/pool area was refreshing before a light supper.