Perhaps the shine is wearing off...

There is a wondering for you. When wandering around Edinburgh Castle and feeling little motivation, is it because you are just having a bad day, or is it because 'the shine is wearing off'? Granted, Edinburgh Castle is a lot more of the same, in a very general sense, to what we saw at Stirling only the day before (including the two 'Cromwellians' teaching us about arms). I commented to Shane that I was conflicted in my efforts, for it seems that the second I walk away from a plaque that I have just read, I forget all that I just attempted to absorb, on the other hand, from time to time you read something which is just 'POW' and you know that you will retain that very interesting new fact. (Devoid of exact dates, perhaps, but there in some form or other).
Whether it is that there have been enough castles and fortifications this month, or whether I was just in a funk is irrelevant for now, and either way, a visit with an old pal changed the tone of the day dramatically. As cheery and wonderful as ever, the lovely Dean was instantly endeared to the kids, and three hours flew by all too rapidly. We had time together in the park, and shared a meal at the pub, before catching the bus back to the Straiton Park and ride.
The day prior to Edinburgh(on Wednesday), we visited the Melrose Abbey. A beautiful setting. Scenic space, with the stone ruins in various stages of recognisbility, from walls with rooves intact still, to stones in the grass - and an audio guide to help you discern what was what.
Friday saw us run around the district a little, driving through Traquair, to St Mary's Loch for our lunch, on to Selkirk to visit the Baxter's outlet, and then home through Galashiels to get the shopping. Our aim was to get back to Innerleithen in time to pick Nathan up from school. More than anything, the kids want to just play together. The back yard is all they need to fulfill their ambitions and adventures. They therefore were most pleased with yesterday's arrangement, which involved me helping out Cat at the church fete, selling her soaps, and the kids spending that time hanging out here at the house together - Shane at the reins. Stu was at work, so Shane had all five to watch, but as usual took it in his stride. For which we were grateful. He helped the kids put the tent up on the back lawn, and they all slept in there. We were surprised that they did actually fall asleep by about ten thirty - and then disappointed when they were all awake by three thirty!! They were all brought inside when it became apparent that they weren't going to go back to sleep without chatting for a while - and as we had a big day planned, we wanted them to get some rest at least....
All of us slept a bit over the usual seven am, Shane was allowed the longest, given that it was Father's Day back home. We eventually got him up so that we could consume the banana pancakes that we had semi prepared the night before...so that we could head off to Vogari Park. There is a big old lovely house, set in a park, with a couple of fantastic playgrounds scattered throughout. Poor wee Nathan, had just finished his first two weeks of school, and that, mixed with a full day of play yesterday, and topped with a night with hours missing fom the sleep quota, were all too much.
To be at his favourite park and not have the energy left to play was most disappointing, and we headed straight home from the park (skipping one of the places we had planned on visiting) in order to give the kids an earlier night, complete with baths and vege soup. All good, and hopefully all well tomorrow.
In the morning we are heading back into Edinburgh for a visit to Greyfriars Bobby's monument and the kirkyard. Cat and I will stay in and do a lap up Princess Street.
We plan to head to Northern Ireland on Wednesday. Between now and then, there is just another visit to Peebles to fit in, when I plan to take a wander up the Tweed and past the Neidpath, and then it is time to see if we can magically condense all of our bits and bobs into the four suitcases, ready to hit the road for our last burst of touring. Only 21 days left until we head home...