We departed our York hotel early, but not before taking one last photo of the beautifully decorated staircase with a newly installed Xmas tree.

Keeping with the festive theme, we took a short drive to nearby Harrogate and came across an array of wonderful boutique shops also adorned with Xmas decorations.

Any trip to Harrogate requires a visit to Betty’s tearoom.

After a walk around the town and some browsing of the independent boutique shops, we drove south to the pretty village of Harewood and a walk around the grounds of the Harewood Estate.

After an enjoyable walk we headed to the aptly named Muddy Boots cafe for a late lunch.

Our final destination today was Leeds where we are staying a couple of nights with Phil, Andy’s cousin, and his wife Kate. They live right in the centre of the city, in a fantastic apartment in an old converted Victorian building.

We headed out for dinner to a nearby Italian for a great meal and a catch up. The wine flowed, as did the Limoncello, so Andy is feeling a little sore today due to over indulging!

Today is Michelle’s bday, so we were determined to seek out the best of what York has to offer.

Despite the wet weather, we managed to get to see more of the sights of the city.

We spent a lovely day in the historical city of York. As in Bath & Edinburgh we joined a walking tour to learn more about the place and how it came to be.

York has started its Xmas theming and we came across the letter box for all the festive requests.

We are staying in York for 2 nights and are living it up staying in No.1 by Guesthouse. It’s beautiful.

Today we returned to England and took a pleasant drive south stopping first at the affluent market town of Morpeth. Like many it also has an old castle.

We enjoyed a pleasant walk around the grounds of the former castle that circle the town.

Our nights stay was in Derwent Manor just outside Consett which was set in several acres and provided us an ideal dog walk and views across the hills.

Xmas sculptures

After a quick change, we headed out to a party at Barnard Castle, not to test our eyesight (!) but for friend’s 25th wedding anniversary.

Arriving at a hotel just outside Barnard Castle, we met up with friends Julie, James, Alan and Catherine who we have know for many years and got married around the same time in the late 1990’s.

The girls went to school together and have been friends for over 40yrs.

It was great to meet up with Wendy & Michael, who we hadn’t seen for a number of years and celebrate with them, as well as enjoy a bit of dancing!

We had a great evening with old friends and getting to meet Wendy & Michaels children & extended family.

After a few last dances we headed back to Consett at midnight and stuck into the hotel for an impressive 1.15am finish. We still have it!

Enjoyed a pleasant stay at the Ednam House Hotel. A beautiful Georgian Manor House ideal for weddings and fishing parties!

Started with a tour of the pretty market town of Kelso. Lots of history and the obligatory ruins in the centre.

We discovered the town is internationally known for its salmon fishing in the River Tweed, hence lots of upmarket & ‘outdoorsy’ shops!

Our first stop today was the picturesque Bamburgh Castle. Given its late November it was surprisingly sunny, but oh so very windy and cold!

We had a pleasant walk along the coast behind the castle to marvel at the waves and scenery.

We just back in the Mini and followed the coast road down to Seahouses & Crastor, where the winds and waves made us rethink any more walks and instead we headed in land to Alnwick.

After an enjoyable day on the Northumberland coast, we are having a relaxing evening in the pretty hamlet of Chatton. We are staying at the Percy Arms and plan to have a few drinks next to the open fire.

Driving down to Consett tomorrow for some old friends 25th Wedding Anniversary.

We woke to a sunny, if windy day in St Andrews and headed out to breakfast at Hatch, a recommended restaurant on South Street.

We then moved on for book reading plus coffee at Topping & Co.

We met with Angus a local to St Andrews, who hails from nearby Cooper, and was a client and friend of Andy during his time working in London.

Angus brought his dog, Jack along for the walk & catch up, as the three of us plus 2 canines battled up the beach in the wind and sunshine!

Despite the glorious late November sunshine we had the beach almost to ourselves.

After a coffee and cake on the beach with Angus, we said our goodbyes and have headed back south to the pretty town of Kelso on the banks of the River Tweed.

Staying in a lovely traditional hotel in the centre of Kelso.

The roaring fire in the hotel hallway made it feel so very welcoming.

Kelso central square, the second largest cobbled in Scotland!

Today we made the most of the beautiful sandy beach villages along the Firth of Forth, and headed north along the Fife scenic route.

After an hours drive from Culross, we stopped in the scenic village of Elie, home to a vast and empty beach and yet another links golf course.

Following the scenic coast road, our next stop was the fishing village of St Monans.

Needing a brief interlude, we headed to Kingsbarns gin & whisky distillery for a brief tasting session.

Our final stop today was St Andrews staying on the seafront at Hotel Du Vin.

We said goodbye to Edinburgh this morning not before taking an early morning walk and coming across this stunning building, Playfair at Donaldson’s.

We then made our way to South Queensferry for a late breakfast in Scott’s at Port Edgar Marina. It’s all about the views sometimes.

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We spent almost the whole day walking today. This started with a guided walking tour of the old city.

We spent two very enjoyable hours under the guidance of Graeme touring the various parts of this old walled city.

After finishing the walking tour we continued the theme by hiking up Arthur’s Seat to enjoy the magnificent views from the top of the former volcano.

After a short coffee break, we continued with a day of walking and headed out west of Princes Street, via Princes Park, which is currently themed with a Xmas light-show.

At the end of our walk-a-thon we headed to St James and a glass of vino at Bonnie & Wild the local food market. A must visit if you’re ever visiting.

On the way back to our hotel we can across the best Xmas themed dog. I don’t think you can question his level of commitment!!

The day was finished with a visit to Piggs, a local Spanish tapas bar near our hotel which offered a great selection of cheese, meat & potato + vino to help bring our enjoyable day to a close.

Just wanted to finish with yet another photo of a Xmas themed George St restaurant which has gone all out on the lighting front. Looks amazing!

After an enjoyable couple of days in Glasgow we drove the one hour to the capital city Edinburgh, one of our favourite cities.

We are staying just off the Royal Mile close to the castle and feel very much in the heart of this beautiful historic capital.

We headed across to St James Quarter where Christmas decorations were out in force.

The array of beautiful buildings in locations such as George Street make for great settings for all the seasonal lights.

Any visit to Edinburgh at this time of year means walking past a Xmas market and bar. This is how they do it in Scotland!

Today was Diwali a Hindu festival of lights which brought out the marching bands and fireworks.

Over the years we have been in Scotland many times. I’ve had the great fortune to work with two great agents Douglas and Mark who used to work together at EY & Co. We arranged to meet up in the suburb of Stockbridge for drinks and our first catch up since pre-COVID.

One of the joys of traveling is meeting people and spending a hour or so chatting and hearing their story. Tonight we met a couple from Milan and their nephew. Really friendly people who we will see again when next in Italy!

The night is never complete without a request from people we meet for a photo of Coco who enchants everyone with her perennial puppy like looks.