Blogs from Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe - page 119

We got up nice and early and I had a traditional Scottish breakfast. I'm sure that somewhere in the back of my mind I knew what black pudding was but I think I blocked it out. When Heather asked me last night if I wanted black pudding I said "sure...why not?". I didn't really know what it was and no one told me...until after I tried it. I'm glad I didn't know. Now I can honestly say that I don't like it and not because it's a nasty concept lol. I really don't like the taste of it. Heather told me what it was after I told her I didn't care for it. I won't spoil it for you...try it...you might like it. Scottish sausages, on the other hand, are great! I don't eat a lot ... read more

Well, It's official...I love Scotland. It is cooler here, nice enough to walk around with just a t-shirt and jeans without feeling like you're melting. There hills all around and a "mountain" just near the dorm I'm staying in. To me, and anyone else from the Appalachians, it looks more like a bump than a mountain...but it is beautiful. Yesterday, we took a 4 hour train ride and arrived in the afternoon. Then we took a literary pub tour, where we had two hilarious guides/actors showing us all the famous pubs in Edinburgh where all the writers hung out...including Robert Luis Stevenson (he is the most famous of the bunch). Then it was dinner in the Cafe Royal, a fun little pub in the new town. This morning we woke early for a good scottish breakfast ... read more

On July 5 after almost 2,500 miles in the saddle I crossed Carter Bar, the border pass into Scotland. Set more than 400 metres high in the hills it is the most spectacular way to arrive in Scotland. The last few days have been the most challenging yet most exhilarating. My route took me north-west through the Yorkshire dales to the Lake District where I climbed three of the most famous mountains in England, The Old Man of Coniston, Scafell Pike and Helvellyn. Though problems arose when I came to climb Mickle Fell, Yorkshire. No road goes within four miles of the summit and the top is not only private land but also an active Ministry of Defence firing zone. Unfortunately for me the red flag was flying meaning I couldn't step foot on the mountain. ... read more

so i was very bummed out yesterday about getting screwed by the temp agency. But there is no rest for the weary so i was at it again almost right away. i went to the BUNAC office to get a pep talk and some advice. Simon was very helpful as well. After that i emailed out a couple of CVs and then handed out about 5 more. I am basically going with my biggest on paper strength-waiting tables. I have figured out that without retail experience i am not going to get any retail work (and it pays the worst anyway) and it is hard to find admin work without an agency and i can only get on with the stupid one. I did apply for one data entry job that looks good- but no word ... read more

I got up at 6:30 this morning to make it to my trial shift at the sandwich bar by 7. I made it just on time and actually had a somewhat enjoyable shift. You get all the drinks you want and a sandwich for free each shift. But by the time i was leaving at 10:30 i was tired, and already understood the till better than the woman training me (to be fair-she doesn't normally work there, she is the owner's sister helping out while they need staff.) Then I had an hour to go home, change into office appropriate clothes, tidy myself eat and climb the massive hill up to george street where I had an appointment with a temp agency. Simon may take issue with my emphasis on the scale of the hill (though ... read more