The National Museum of Scotland

I asked at the front desk of our hotel if anyone had found a Fitbit.  They are not sure what I am talking about but make a note.  Our Fearless Leader (Tricia) eats breakfast with us this morning in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle.  (Pinch me!)  I have to explain what egg whites are to the waitress.  I find out that bacon means ham here.  I also try some of this just to see what it is.  It is sort of like shredded wheat.  Dry.

Today we are going to the storage facility of the National Museum of Scotland to view some caskets and other needlework.  We get to see stuff that is not currently on display.  The storage facility is on the outskirts of Edinburgh.  It is interesting to see another side of the city. This building had such beautiful flowers.

 We pass the Royal Yacht Britannia.  The storage facility is a nondescript industrial building.  I was in the first group to go in to view the caskets.  There were five caskets and a very fine white work piece on linen.  We couldn't touch the caskets of course but we could take photos up close and personal.  The curator opened each casket (very carefully!).  We got photos of them inside and out.  The more you looked at them, the more things you noticed.  It was a dream to see them in person and see how big they actually are.  I can't believe I got to see them in person after having seen them in books. What was very interesting was the master cabinet maker was in my group and he was looking for secret drawers and things that moved.  After an hour it was the next group's turn to come in.  We had a cup of tea and waited for them.  Then the bus took us to the National Museum of Scotland which is not far from out hotel.

Janet and I had lunch in the Museum Cafe.  We looked at some of the museum and had fun shopping in the museum shop.  I bought some cards.  Actually, I copied Janet.  She bought this very nice card so I had to go get one too.

I got a couple of gifts. (Wine stopper, magnet, pen).  Then we went to hear a lecture by Naomi Tarrant.  She wrote a book on Scottish samplers called Remember Now Thy Creator.  We are so lucky to get to hear her talk and ask her questions.  This is the view out the window from the museum.

It is very hard to understand people with a strong Scottish accent. Sharon and I went to an Italian restaurant for dinner.  There is a pub crawl tonight but we are totally exhausted.  Tomorrow we are going to Glasgow.
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