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Published: August 21st 2010
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Because Andy didn't have a job he could join me for a trip up to Scotland. We got 17 pound return tickets from Manchester so couldn't say no. Our first night was in Glasgow as that was where the bus went to and we were keen for a look at the place too.. It seemed nice enough, we didn't get there til late after waiting for a passenger who missed the bus. The driver ripped in to him when he turned up the and ended up having arguments with other bus drivers cause of his short temper. It was entertaining for us though. We missed out on the first backpackers we went to and were lucky to get the second for a few extra pounds. The trip was so spontaneous we didn't even know about this huge Edinburgh festival that was on, the overflow was filling all the beds in Glasgow as well.
The Protest Camp Using couchsurfing.org we found out about a place not too far from Edinburgh for the next few days. As we walked down the dirt track we started to see heaps of tree huts and heaps of dogs were barking at us (18 it turned
out). Around the camp fire at the bottom of the hill were about ten dormant protesters who were resident of the camp (originally to stop a new highway, there are still nets and tunnels to use incase eviction is forced). All were friendly as, some had their issues that they couldn't help but talk about every chat (facism, animal cruelty, local council etc) but most were pretty chilled out and a few just staying there cause it was cheap and easy living I think. There were about 5 high treehuts up to about 13 meters up, a few at ground level and one that was above the creek that passed through the middle (named Venice of course). Everyone could be housed easily enough and when there was extra demand, 5 or so tents could be used for the passers by if they had no gear (like us). All we provided was a couple of bottles of the basics cider (1.30 a bottle) and all was good. There was a small Hydro-electric dam that provided power for phone chargers and solar panels that lite one of the huts of the guy who had set it up. He was quite funny, spilt
some juice on his pants, 'Oh I just washed these..... a year ago' he said. There were permanent kitchens etc too but bathrooms were holes in the ground, lucky for a pack of Imodium I didn't have to go, Andy said he looked for 5 mins before deciding he could actually hold on til we next went to town. Fridges kept the food safe bu if you walked into the kitchen after dark with a torch you would see massive rats everywhere, dropped some food in the bin and six went scattering in every direction. We left some buns and ham in the tent and about an hour after dark I went back and found the rats had been through half of them, as well as our tent door!! However our time at the camp will never be forgotten, I would definately go back to see it again, apparently people don't last for longer than a year before they move on, don't blame them when it can be blanketed in snow over winter. Thanks to Alex from Nelson and all the others who helped us out up here.
We also stayed at a guys called Gary who had just
finished first year uni and had a flat to himself. He gave us a bit of tour around the city and helped us with washing etc. Also found him on Couchsurfing...
Edinburgh itself Everyone tells you about how nice the place is but when you get there for the first time it is hard to believe. As you come in on the main road you have the city on one side, but on the other are huge open gardens that drop off and across from them is the rock face that is one side of Edinburgh Castle. Although there is impressive stone and concrete architecture on one side there is the colour of the landscape that contrasts them just 15 meters away through the impressive landscape. When near the castle the streets get tighter and more windy, they are also made of cobbles, this is where all the main street performances happen, the streets are closed for the huge crowds and performers are all over, some of the best tricks were sword swallowing and then riding a 3m high unicycle while juggling blindfolded. When out the back of the city there are huge fields everywhere. It is a
really relaxed place apart from the centre city.
People always told me that Dunedin had really crooked and strangely laid out street because the Scots who emigrated to NZ laid Edinburgh's (dunedin in Gaelic) street map right on top of the city and din't take in to account any of the hills etc... However I see that although a lot of the names are shared, the street map is vastly different and neither resembles the other?? I think we can just blame the DCC for the odd street variations in dunnas.
After getting back from Scotland I headed over to Scarborough and got to watch Hamish Evans team comfortably win their premiership cricket game, Hamish was unlucky not to get any wickets, but bowled well. Also got to stay in a proper bed for the first time in a while cause he is staying at a school hostel (and it is holiday time) and there were plenty going free. Had a look with Robinhood bay with these two, apparently where he hid when being searched for. Then out to Whitby where hamish used to live and there are about 10 FnC shops along 200m next to the mouth of
the harbour.
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Julie
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Tonga
Tonga looks like a 5 star after some of the places you've stayed G. Syl is there now for a 21st and having a great time whitebaiting.