The Royal Mile and other Outlander hotspots

May 23: It was a late start today. We all met up at Holyrood Palace only to find it was closed for the Queen. Well, isn't that just the piss in my Cornflakes. How dare she mess up our vacation! Oh well. As my grandfather used to say, "you can wish in one hand, shit in the other, and see which one fills up first."

We got to see Boyd's White Horse, Carubber's Close, Canongate Kirkyard, and ate a PB&J sandwich right where Claire would've sat at the fountain (we didn't litter though). It was really great to walk around Edinburgh, see the lay of the land, and then apply it to our vast Outlander imaginings. We walked down to World's End, had a pint, and saw the trap door behind the bar. Scot asked the bartender if they had any hidden Chinamen down there... to which she gave a confused "no."

Right: Boyd's/Canongate

I can just see Colum and Angus waiting for Jamie and Claire. I doubt they had such fine weather though.

Below: World's End group photo

After a quick lunch we had a few moments to stroll around the Mile. I scouted tattoo shops while the others met up for a pint.

Scott and John were gracious volunteers for a pre-ghost tour show. They where punished for speaking publicly against the king. One lost an ear and the other his tongue. Both were good sports about it. The tour took us underground to the places where Jamie and his smuggling friends would've hidden their contraband. I'd post pictures but they really didn't come out all that well.

Back to Ensign Ewarts for a few pints before dinner. Conveniently located across the street was a cute little store called Ness. Great clothes and purses. We (the ladies) all bought something. Dinner was French cuisine at Petit Paris-good wine, good food, and great company. Yet another bittersweet moment-our last hoo-rah as a group. Sam and Scot did such a great job finding all these places throughout Scotland that fit the descriptions in the books. Their attention to detail is much appreciated, and we are glad our hosts put the time and effort into it. It showed!

(Above: John and Scot @ Ensign Ewarts, discussing music I'm sure; sign in the ladies room to ward off drunkards) (Below: Last group pic @ Petit Paris; Scot & Sam-our amazing tour guides)

So we, the six founding members of the "Grain Tour 2010," strolled off in search of more ale. We ended up at the same place John and I'd found Brenda & Jenn the night before. Everyone is exhausted and a little depressed about ending our trip. I've really enjoyed my time with Brenda and Jenn, and hopefully this won't be the last we see of each other. But all good things must come to an end....whoever started that line was an asshole. I don't want good things to end :(

May 24: Tattoos and shopping! I got to Studio XIII Gallery at 10:15-right on time for my appointment. David (Italian artist who did my tattoo) got there shortly after and sketched up my design based on the one I'd left the day before. It was perfect. John, Erin, and Scott went shopping while I got inked. After I was done, we all went across the street to World's End for ales...what else? They didn't name it the "Grain Tour" for nothing. (Pics:before, during, and after)

Our goodbye was tearful, but plans were made for Scotland themed parties in the future involving Scotch whisky and looking through pictures...and probably a game of "That's what she said."

The Highlight of My Year

The day has come and gone entirely too fast. Last night was the book signing for Diana Gabaldon's newest Outlander novel, An Echo in the Bone. I've been looking forward to this for some time. For those of you who know me well enough, you know how obsessed I am with this author and her books, specifically the Outlander series. Hands down, the best books I've ever read.

My friend and former coworker, Erin, met me at the bookstore. She drove up from Huntsville, AL for the day. We were like two teenagers meeting the Beatles. I didn't even remember to eat dinner I was so excited. Dagan's stepmom Cara was also there with her own stack of books to get signed.

Diana spoke for about 40 minutes, then answered questions from the audience. The first question was one I had planned to ask: "What if any music do you listen to while you write?"

Her answer was that she didn't routinely listen while she wrote, but that nearing the end of this book she was listening to The Proclaimer's "I'm Gonna Be (500 miles)". I squealed with delight because this song, among other Proclaimer's songs, was on my own Playlist to listen to while writing. It was also the song I was listening to on my iPod when I pulled into the bookstore's parking lot that night.

Several of the questions were pointless, since their answers can be found on the author's website. There were many eye rolls from Erin, Cara, and myself. But the worst part was when this incredibly rude/dumb woman standing behind D.G. interrupted her to shout "I'm back here, and I have a question." I swear there was an audible gasp from the audience. But Diana was poised, and turned to the lady and answered her silly question. Her question was something about Diana's lineage and how her family came to the US in the 1800's. To be honest I didn't pay attention because I was so appalled that she'd interrupted her in the first place.

After answering questions, she read an excerpt from 'Echo' and it was a little racey. Erin, who's 19 year old son had been dragged along for our adventure, was standing behind me red faced with embarrassment because of the content D.G. chose. She whispered to me "I can't laugh with my son right here!"

After the reading, they called the first group of people to get their books signed. We were the third group, so we had a bit of time to wait. I desperately needed a beer to calm my nerves :) Cara mentioned there was a restaurant attached to the store. It looked like a coffee shop to me, but they did in fact have beer. So Erin, Cara, and I had a Blue Moon. And Erin's son Kyle, had a Dr. Pepper. By the time we'd finished our liquid fortification, it was time for our group to line up.

When our turns arrived, Cara went first, myself second, and Erin third. The staff was kind enough to take our pictures and we all took pictures of each other too. I swear to God, my palms were sweating and my heart was racing. I felt extremely stupid. But I walked up for my turn and tried not to act the way I felt. The bookstore staff had placed post-it notes inside each person's book with their name printed so we didn't have to waste time spelling our names. This was great since NO ONE can ever spell my name. When Diana opened my book, she said "That's a very pretty name!" I don't even know if I said thank you or not, because my ears were ringing at this point. I had two other books for her to sign, one for my mom and one for my nursing school buddy Jenny. She was almost done with my books when I finally said something. I told her about my listening to The Proclaimers. And I told her that Erin and I (and our husbands) were taking a Jamie and Claire tour of Scotland in May.

Then it was over. I needed another beer ;)

Cara and I got another beer, and Erin and Kyle said their goodbyes. Erin and I said "See you in Scotland." But hopefully we'll see each other before then.

I only got about five hours total of sleep last night, and I'm slightly hungover since I never ate last night. And the odds are against me for getting a nap before work tonight. BUT, I'm sure the high of last night will carry me through a 12 hour shift @ Vanderbilt.