Pancakes, Parks, and Music

Monday morning was filled with more walking through the town centre, before I met Annika for lunch at Herbivore Kitchen. I had a nut loaf with sweet potato pancakes and a chestnut sauce. While we were waiting, I discovered their creme egg brownie, and we decided to compare it with the creme egg doughnut at Considerit Cafe. After demolishing our meals and dessert, we decided the comparison would have to wait for another day - no space left!

It was sunny enough to buy some ice cream and sit in the park, but after a thirty minute walk to Affogato, it was such a disappointment to discover it was closed! I continued to Princes Street Park alone, and took my time winding up the path towards the castle, and back down the Royal Mile. I found the loveliest hidden garden towards the bottom of the Mile, styled like a 17th century country garden. I thought it was quite formal, but very pretty all the same.

Annika made a traditional veganised German dish for dinner, full of onions and smoked tofu. It was somewhere between a quiche and a pie, and quite delicious. Belly full and satisfied, I headed up to Whistelbinkies, where I met with Rutwij and his friend for a drink and a sing. I recognised a couple of familiar faces from last time, as well s meeting some talented new people. My self imposed curfew was well broken, and I walked in the door at 1am with plans to meet my new friends the next night at a different venue.

The music scene in Edinburgh is amazing. There is actually a printed guide available in most pubs, detailing who is playing where and when. It lists all the open mics, and it's quite common for people to bar hop between music venues. Sydney, pay attention. Edinburgh's got this right.

It's a little grey out today, with rumours of the "Beast from the East" returning for the weekend. Could put a hold on hiking plans, so hoping the very changeable weather changes its mind again and leaves me with a semblance of sunshine.