After exploring the gardens for two days, our initial foray into Edinburgh was to go to Sunday mass at the Jesuit church. Because it was only 1.3 miles from the flat, we decided to decided to walk there.

        It was as we walked up the hill beyond Hectors that we found out the those 1.3 miles were all uphill! We left the flat at 9:45 AM and arrived at the church at 10:28, puffing and panting! We had just been introduced to the topology of Edinburgh.

       After Mass we explored the area and had lunch in town. Donald suggested taking a bus back to Stockbridge. But Helen would have none of it! After all, she said, she had struggled to the top, she intended to stroll back...downhill all the way!

     On Monday we bought 2-week bus passes, then visited the Scottish National Gallery, which houses an impressive art collection across many eras and styles.

       Later in the week, we visited the shop of a Bill Baber, a weaver who made Donald’s favorite sweater. It was purchased in New Mexico many decades ago. Bill is still weaving sweaters there in the shop in the Grassmarket area of Edinburgh.