Monday 7th March 2011

As always my dh gave me the best birthday gift ever....time with three of my most precious friends in one of the most BEAUTIFUL cities in the world. As Beryldene mentioned last week, these three ladies symbolise the three most significant chapters in my life (Tanya = My Youth, Linda = Hillcrest and Kerry = England) and it was an absolute blessing to have time with them alone to celebrate my 38th year.

Kerry and I flew from Gatwick to Edinburgh on Friday afternoon where we met Tanya (train from Whitley Bay) and Linda (flight from Bristol) and to say it was instantly relaxed and easy is the understatement of the century....considering that these ladies, while all HUGELY significant in my life scarcely know each other, the atmosphere was intimate almost immediately and we were all giggling and laughing like little girls as we made our way out of the airport and onto our bus to the city.

Our accommodation for the first night was at the Travel Lodge in Princes Street (part of New Town) and was clean and adequate (especially for the cost) and PERFECTLY located for us to make our way out for dinner....we strolled the streets of New Town in perfect balmy weather, interchanging our walking companions along the way and all spending time chatting and either catching up or getting to know each other. Dinner was at Pizza Hut and before long (thanks to Linny) we were all swopping unknown facts about each other and literally becoming better friends by the minute. A drink (and rather embarrassing "Happy Birthday" song) in a stunning Edinburgh wine bar finished off the evening and all four where in bed and happily asleep before midnight....I am 6 months pregnant after all :0)

Saturday morning was a bit of a slow start and more chatting over bacon sarnies in a little baguette shop on Roses street before an open top bus tour around the city soaking up the history and admiring the magnificent architecture. The weather was AMAZINGLY warm for Edinburgh at this time of the year and we all enjoyed the beautiful flowers and warm sunshine as we explored the city. Sadly Tanya was only able to stay with us until 2pm on Saturday and then she had to catch the train home while we made our way to our accommodation for the second night at Travel Lodge, Central Edinburgh on Queen Mary Way just off the Royal Mile.

This change of hotel was necessitated by budget constraints but turned out to be WONDERFUL as it meant we had spent our first night in the vibrant New Town and our second strolling the ancient streets of the Royal Mile (the oldest part of the city) enjoying a completely different aspect of this fabulous city.

Sunday was more sightseeing, chatting and fellowship and all to quickly this very special 48 hours was drawing to a close....I have always considered myself exceptionally blessed with the women in my life and getting to spend such special and close time with these 3 inspirational ladies was the treat of a LIFETIME....THANK YOU girls (and husbands without whom all our children would have gone hungry)!