Bill Hill's blog

I woke up in darkness this morning, Approaching winter at 56 degrees North and the clocks go back on Saturday. I am lucky to do what I do and that I get most days off at this time of year so I turned over and went back to sleep. Next time I woke up and the day was lighter but 'dreich'. Let me explain.

Preparing for a hectic few days with Australians, Scots, Americans, Russians, another Czech and Germans. Sandwiched in between, Ill be leading a leg of the annual Walk the World for Brain Tumour Awareness with people who have suffered from this and their families and carers. Its a wonderfully satisfying thing to do and really gives me a sense of perspective.

I'm looking forward to meeting Sandy Craig, his partner and 2 kids. It will be great to reforge my link with Vermont.

The sun is splitting the sky in Edinburgh. No wind, so a little warmth from the sun, which is low in the sky even at noon at this time of year. I've been researching Scottish connections in Czech Republic for my tour this afternoon and have found that the part called Moravia today was largely peopled by the Celts before they fled the invasion of Germanic tribes around 60 BC. This, I am told explains the number of red haired people living there today (thanks Gerry).

An old friend from my stay in Vermont a number of years ago, recently contacted me to ask if I'd be host to a friend of his and his family who are visiting Scotland at the end of this month. I loved my Vermont trip and a number of years later it was to provide me with the best 'small world' experience ever.

A whole day tour with German golfers yesterday. It was a long haul but very worthwhile. All fell in love with The Athens of the North and resolved to return with their wives in the future. Fabulous lunch in the Guildford Arms, which just keeps getting better and a wee farewell dram in th Cafe Royal after the tour. Thanks, Chris for organising this and also for your kind comments on my website.

Monday 5th October. I met the McKee family from Pittsburgh PA at the Caledonian Hilton for a full day. Kraig, his wife and his Mom and Pops. We went for a full day tour to include the Castle and the Palace. They were really special in that very American way. Enthusiastic respectful, courteous and up for a laugh at every opportunity. Humour figures strongly in my tours having made a living in the past writing and performing comedy material.

Sunday 4th October, My son, Ewan's birthday and I would have like to have spent it with him (he's in Brazil)! I met Morten and 8 of his friends from Denmark for a morning tour of the old Town and part of the New Town. What a great bunch of forty and 50 somethings they were. As each reaches 50, the rest club together to treat them to a weekend in a European city and, fortunately for me, this time it was Edinburgh. It was a fun filled morning spent in the company of enthusiastic people, all with a fantastic sense of humour.

Saturday October 3rd and Edinburgh lived up to its epithet 'The Windy City'. A howling gale swept the town and also swept the felt off my shed roof!. I met with James and Joanne a delightful young English couple who were in Scotland to arrange their upcoming wedding. James is a relative of a neighbour of mine and he had arranged for me to give them a tour. They had a thirst for the origin of sayings so that was the major feature of the afternoon.

A rainy day in Edinburgh gives me time to catch up with my blog and plan for a busy few days coming up.

2 new links have been added to my site. The Tailend Restaurant for unbelieveable fish and chips. More than a chippie, not as expensive as a posh seafood restaurant and the New Bell for really good food and wines at reasonable prices.

The links on this site have been carefully selected to help you plan your trip and enjoy it to the fullest when you are here. No sponsoring fees change hands as I dont want money to get in the way of giving you, my friends, the personally tried and tested best.

Enjoy, Bill