This morning we went to the Elephant House because of its connection to JK Rowling who penned the Harry Potter books. I was curious to see the environment she found conducive to her writing.
It can be tricky this cafe to find if you don’t have a Google maps app as it is tucked away in Edinburgh’s Old Town.
The café already looked crowded so I tried to walk in to grab the last table. A staff member gestured to get my attention and told me that I had to order and pay first, then we would be seated.
The menu looks varied and interesting, which made me sad that I was nearly broke and we could only afford drinks.
After ordering, our waiter led us to the cafe’s back room which was large and filtered in ambient light.
The Elephant Room worksheet and coloring pencils for the kids cheered up a grumpy 10 year old. The food coming out looked fantastic. We were not rushed at all despite the fact we only had drinks.
Our coffees were fantastic.
Make sure you visit the bathroom and read some of the graffiti written on the walls to Harry Potter and to JK Rowling.
Our time in Edinburgh has been delightful. Just lovely to be settled in one place for a few nights; a bonus that the accommodation is comfortable and centrally located. You have been good to us, Scotland!
After leaving the unit as we found it, we set out for a last visit to Old a Town. Stepping out onto the street, it was immediately apparent that our freakish run of glorious weather had come to an end.
We came back to the Grassmarkets on a mission to get some Scottish/French fusion crepes. We ordered 3 to share: dark chocolate, banoffee pie, and lemon & sugar. My favorite was actually the traditional lemon & sugar.
A Saturday market was in full swing beside us and I spotted some Kenyan samosas and mandazis. I got some to share and gave the cute kid who was adding up the cost of my order very badly all of my UK money. To be honest, when I tasted the food, I wished I hadn’t wasted my money. It was disappointing. Especially the mandazis, which I remember as hot and fluffy like the best hollow doughnuts, not cold and tough like these were.
Our sweet host had let us keep our luggage at the unit till we needed to go to the airport. This definitely saved us a lot of time, money and sanity.
The weather was worsening so I am a little embarrassed to say that we threw in the towel and checked into the airport very early!
Our flight to Amsterdam was via and overnight stop in London. We spent a very short time sleeping at a guesthouse close by. The guesthouse was not particularly memorable but I was grateful to the host who told us the right taxi to call. That company saved us £27 pounds both ways!!! The first airport taxi that I asked had quoted me a £45 pound fare!!!!
Anyways, I was so anxious about missing our alarm, I woke us 4 separate times dreaming it was time to get up!
It was a relief to be on the plane!
Dory the Explorer 