Robert Fergusson in Edinburgh

Not far from David Hume, just outside the Canongate Kirkyard, I came across Robert Fergusson the poet. He isn't as famous as Robert Burns, but didn't seem bothered by this. His poems are in English and Scot's dialect, like Burns. As Burns is thought to have used at least one of Fergusson's poems as inspiration I suggested he return the compliment. Instead of a 'Wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie' he write a poem about a 'Wee brave goch dragon'. Not sure he is going to do it though. He didn't like using Scots and Welsh in the first line, I thought he was being picky. I then suggested he tried a poem with the line 'Great chieftain of the Dragon Race'. He didn't like that either for some reason.

David Hume in Edinburgh

Outside Edinburgh High Court on the High Street I met David Hume the philosopher. He must spend a lot of time there as he had his own chair. We had an interesting chat, as a philosopher, rationalist and a leading light in the enlightenment that's to be expected. He wasn't too bad either. I'm not sure how his rationalism coped with chatting with a red dragon, I suspect he isn't going to mention it to many people. He might prefer it to the fact that people rub his big toe for luck.

Edinburgh Castle II

I've walked round to the front of Edinburgh Castle. It's quite long climb for my little legs. The castle is built on a volcanic plug in the middle of Edinburgh. Three sides are cliffs so I've walked up the non-cliff side. Parts of the castle were built in the 12th C with bits being added over the next few hundred years. It changed hands a few times when England and Scotland were fighting. Oliver Cromwell captured it in 1650 after a three month siege. Unusually for him he didn't destroy it. It is now a nice big castle with views for miles around and includes a museum with lots of tourists visiting it. It isn't as nice as my Castell Coch though.

Edinburgh

I'm in Edinburgh. It's early morning and cold. Dropped the luggage off at the hotel, way too early for check-in, hotel isn't far from station. Having a wander round while it's quiet out. Walked along Princes Street, shops closed so no crowds. Found somewhere to have a coffee and croissant to warm up before continuing walk. Found this view of Edinburgh Castle, thought it was a good place to have my photograph taken. Now going to walk round to the castle entrance.

Night Train to Edinburgh

I'm on my way to Edinburgh for the weekend. Taking the night train to Edinburgh (no not a lesser known Madness follow up). It's a rather nice way to travel. I've ordered breakfast. I've been in the bar carriage and had something to eat and drink. Now it's bed time. I've got the bottom bunk. time for a nice sleep as the train makes it's way north. The guard will wake me up with a tea and a bite to eat as we sit outside Edinburgh. Then it's a full day in town on the first day all refreshed after a sleep, rather than only having a few hours and somewhat tired if I travelled up later, it's quite a long way between London and Edinburgh.

Monmouth

I've travelled from Newport to Monmouth. It's a short distance between the two. Monmouth is two miles from the border with England and sits on the rivers Wye, Monnow and Trothy. It is the birthplace of Henry V.

A Roman Fort called Blestium was built in the area. The Normans built a castle here soon after the conquest of England. Monmouth Castle changed hands three times during the English Civil War. Oliver Cromwell visited in 1646 and ordered the castles destruction, he did a lot of that. so there isn't much of the castle left. Behind me is the Monnow Bridge. It is the only remaining mediaeval fortified bridge in the UK.

Monmouthshire Canal

Still in Newport. I'm at a lock on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. The bit in Newport was originally the Monmouthshire Canal linking Newport to Pontnewynydd for transporting coal and iron to Newport. It was started in 1792 and opened in 1796. Later it was joined to another canal network and became the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. Over the years bits of the canal network were closed with it finally being abandoned in 1962 when it was felt nobody would ever use it again. Two years later restoration started on part of it. The section in Newport was made a conservation area in 1998. Work has started on restoring it, this included demolishing and rebuilding the Bettws Lane Bridge. This had been built after the canal had been closed so was too low to allow boats to pass. It's really quite nice to walk along, lots of tasty looking ducks and its easy to forget you're in a city and not far from the M4.