Manchester/Scotland 2025 - Edinburgh Stockbridge

 

I knew I've reached Stockbridge because of this clock tower which my research have shown me before. I was just surprised that the whole place seems to be so small. I guess it's a small town? Cause I can only recall a crossroad where the Sunday market was at one side. We did venture further down the road to see Circus Lane, which was on my Good Omen site list. But other than that, it seems that we were already in the center of town where all their shops were at. I could be wrong, but that was just how I see it at that time.

Sign on the road/bridge with the name on it.

More signs of the Water of Leith Walkway, which was nice. The actual length of the walkway is actually around 20km, which is about a full day's walk! I would have love to do that if only the air flight to Scotland and their hotel weren't so darn expensive. I mean, it's almost 100% higher cost than if I were to fly to Japan for a walk. And trust me, Japan has a lot of nice walk too! All over their very beautiful country.  And in Japan, I could probably dine out more, and even stayed in nicer hotel..... 

Anyway, some nice sight of the town. A bright blue building in the middle of town always brightens up my day :) I think it was next to a grocery shop or something. Remember, this was still Sunday morning, so many people were going about their weekend task as we drop in on them that day.

I saw this cool sign that just says Hectors, and I think it's one of those historical pub or restaurant. Pity I don't have a photo to show whether my memory was correct or not. But if you Google it, it shows that it's a pub. Geees why can't pubs in Asia look just as cool.

The pub was named after Sir James Hector, and here is a signboard of a full information about him.

We also walked by a lovely cafe called St Vincent, and it immediately reminded me of Vincent Van Gogh. It would have been nice to have time to sip coffee or tea here if time and money was of no concert of my, but ha! No such luxury. Off we go!

Above a stone with the working "He That Tholis Overcummis", which I saw somewhere on the main street near Circus Lane. I thought it kinda sounded funny, but Google doesn't seem to think so! Apparently it's a Scottish proverb which means "He who endures/suffers overcomes".  There is also a lot of history tied to that saying, but I shall not bore you by linking more reference here for you to read. If you are truly interested, you can go look it up yourself. We need to move on else the blog will never be completed before my next trip!

We did stopped by a cafe after visiting Circus Lane, and while waiting for the Sunday market to be opened. My husband kindly gave me a treat here, and I ordered hot chocolate as the weather was kinda cold. I think this is where I started getting addicted to hot chocolate in Scotland. It tasted nothing like those chocolate drink we had in Asia. It tasted more like the hot chocolate I had once in a Spanish Cafe in Melbourne, or some cafe in Paris. It's thick and deep, one that can support your spoon when you put it on it. Hot chocolate cost around 3 to 4 pounds a cup here. But goodness, it is such a luxurious drink to have in this country! I would spend my money on this more than coffee. I would also spend it on tea if I needed calm and relaxing vibe. But if I wanted to pamper myself, I would sit in a cafe and order a hot chocolate