Edinburgh, August 5, 2010

Edinburgh, day 3 - and back to London
The French press worked well! What a bargain. After breakfast, we split up for some last-minute gift shopping before leaving Edinburgh. Another gorgeous and sunny day in Edinburgh. I found a hand-made linen jumper (sweater) in a shop in the Grassmarket. Mark and I had a nice chat with the owner-designer, Bill Behar; turns out that a shop in Fanueil Market sometimes carries some of their sweaters. Also found a few other wee gifties.

Then we rendezvoused with Becky and Steve back at the flat, grabbed a taxi to Turnhouse airport for the trip back to London. We grabbed some Cornish pasties to eat at the airport; one last pub meal.

On arrival, we made our way to the Hoppa bus pickup for the hotel. It was 4 pounds a person; so I went to check on the price for a taxi. The guy at the taxi info desk was rather indignant and derisive about taking a taxi the mile to the hotel, instead of the Hoppa bus. He told me the taxi driver would charge more than the 16 pounds for the short ride. So back to the bus stop we went, and purchased round-trip tickets for 7 pounds each. On check-in, at the Heathrow Marriott the receptionist told Mark the taxi would have been less expensive - oh well, chalk it up to boosting the British economy. We upgraded to executive rooms, and so we had access to WiFi, the executive lounge for drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and breakfast in the morning. Room was very luxurious and comfortable.

Mark checked online and discovered an Indian restaurant within a half-mile walk from the hotel. Turned out to be a find! The food was from the Bangladesh region of India, and not the same dishes we are used to. The waiter made some recommendations, which were excellent! We had a great dinner at The Harlington Tandoori, and Mark posted an online recommendation that evening.
We made it an early night - plane to catch in the morning.