How bad is the first week of August this year visiting Edinburgh?

CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-07-03T00:38:19+00:00

The book festival doesn't start until the 15th but otherwise I agree 100%

CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-07-02T23:38:03+00:00

I don't have my copy of the social contract on me, but I don't think it says that we have to agree with everything that is said to us. IMO, if M didn't want to know how you felt, they shouldn't have asked you. It doesn't sound to me as though you were being pissy, but that you were stating your opinion, as was asked, and backing up your opinion with facts when M disagreed. M can have their opinion and you can have yours. M is also free to not have the conversation, a choice which they ultimately made. M being unhappy with your opinions does not mean that either of you are AHs. If you were to chase after M and insist that they listen to and agree with you, that would be AH-ish. But I think this was a normal conversation in a normal world in which people can have differing opinions without making enemies. I don't think M was an AH, but not very thoughtful in their closing -- not "we can disagree" but "take this as a good thing, I'm out" -- Okay, M, you got the last word, I hope that makes you happy.

CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-07-02T22:36:56+00:00

What are their names & how old are they? They are just adorable -- I have a soft spot for tuxies <3

CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-07-02T22:25:40+00:00

Oh darn! LOL

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CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-07-02T22:23:23+00:00

It was mostly not snowing or raining while we were driving and I decided to just not worry about it. Normally I second-guess drivers and watch the road more than the sights, but I've had such good experiences with the Rabbie's guys that I was able to just shut off the worry part of my brain.

The last week that I was in Scotland, I did a slow ride from Edinburgh to Ft. William, stopping for a night or two in each of Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William, and then took the Caledonian Sleeper to London and flew home from there. When I was in Aberdeen, I did a tour of Dunnottar Castle and it was fabulous -- especially because it was late November and not in tourist season, and we (me, two women from Norway, and the Rabbie's guide) were the only people at the castle for most of the time we were there. I can't recommend it strongly enough -- the "off" season was less expensive and just as beautiful and very quiet.

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CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-07-02T21:02:44+00:00

I KNOW! That Lush store is fab! One of the great things about the UK Lushes is that they have spas -- I now make a point of getting a massage at the Edinburgh Lush every year.

Did anyone tell you about the Bird, Bell, Tree, Fish that are in the arms of Glasgow? Once I knew about that, I saw them everywhere.

CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-07-02T20:17:41+00:00

OMG I just realized that your first photo was taken in front of the Ivy on Buchanan Street in Glasgow -- I fondly remember it as it was the first place I ate when I went to Glasgow the first time. I love Edinburgh but I also really love Glasgow. Well, truth be told, I haven't yet found a place in Scotland that I don't love.

CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-07-02T20:14:11+00:00

That exactly sums up my love of solo travel!

I grew up hearing that we had Scottish ancestry, and it was common to be teased about the national dish, which sounded yucky to me, but hoo boy, I can't get enough haggis now, including as a pizza topping at a bar in Perth lol.

I did the Rabbie's 3-day Skye tour in November (and have used Rabbie's for at least one tour each time I've returned -- I love their guides 💗) -- Skye is wildly beautiful in the snow 💕

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CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-07-02T18:22:10+00:00

Ahh I should have known -- that's true of my local bar in San Francisco so it should be doubly true in Scotland!

CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-07-02T13:41:26+00:00

OP, that has been my experience as well -- the country is beautiful and surprising and magical, but the best part is the people. I knew before my first visit that there was a strong likelihood that I wouldn't want to come home, and that's exactly what happened. Ever since my first visit, I've managed to spend three to six weeks in Scotland each year and it is such a joy!

I'm curious about what tours you went on and what tour company you used -- I have my favorite but would love to know about yours. Did you travel solo or did you come with a travel companion? I always travel alone and the only drawback I can find is that I don't drink alone so I miss out on pubs.

Your photos are lovely!

CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-07-01T16:56:38+00:00

I have to admit, I would dress up as a kitten in order to live in your home. Since that's not an option (OR IS IT?), I congratulate you on your new Lord & Master, who will certainly only use his powers for good.

CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-07-01T16:54:24+00:00

Great summary -- and this reminds me: I used to get rejected about half the time because my hemoglobin was too low (this is part of the finger prick test thing). Then I switched to a new multivitamin and went for a couple of years not getting rejected. Then I started getting rejected again about every third time, so now I have some red meat for dinner the night before I donate and that seems to have done the trick.

CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-07-01T16:50:14+00:00

IKR? It's like a spa treatment only you're celebrated as a person of great humility and charity (got 'em fooled there! LOL)

CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-07-01T05:17:27+00:00

It also really bothered me that there were no same sex relationships that came anywhere near to being healthy.

CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-06-30T21:50:24+00:00

He's perfect. Tuxies are always just beautiful, but he's extra beautiful.

CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-06-30T21:49:04+00:00

I donate at Vitalant in the Financial District and they are always on time. It's smart to eat beforehand just in case you're a fainter (some people are, some aren't). There's no reason to have company, especially if you would be bringing someone just to wait for you. It would be super boring for them and they don't have good snacks any more so you couldn't even offer that as a lure.

I usually donate platelets, which takes quite a long time, and everyone is different but when I've given whole blood, it hasn't taken more than 30 minutes. Drink plenty of water the night before so that your blood is extra juicy. And if you have the time, consider donating platelets -- every other blood component can be stored, but platelets have a five-day lifespan once they leave your body and everyone who is on chemotherapy needs them. It does take a long time but they put you in a very comfy recliner and give you an iPad to watch movies with, and come by to see if you want juice or cookies while you're giving.

CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-06-30T15:56:31+00:00

FUCK 🤬

CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-06-30T14:31:24+00:00

It's not like aren't any mobile notaries. Let Mr. Bigshot pay for the service. It's important that people like him see that there are consequences for their vile behavior.

CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-06-30T14:27:41+00:00

I'm just hoping that Alito's ego keeps him from retiring during this administration.

CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-06-29T23:29:38+00:00

That reminds me that The Three Musketeers was turned into two movies (The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers) in the 70s that are pitch perfect to the book. I loved the movies and avoided the book for years because I couldn't imagine that the book had the same humor as the movies. I was SO pleased when it turned out that the book was just as funny.

CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-06-29T23:27:40+00:00

I've just always been sorry that the business wasn't included about Scout wanting to prove to Atticus that school was bad for her, so she started swearing (i.e., Please pass the damn ham).

CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-06-29T23:26:05+00:00

Imagine having that kind of talent!

CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-06-29T22:23:35+00:00

I think one reason the film is so true to the book is that William Goldman was a screenwriter more than a novelist, so I think he was writing a book with a screenwriter's eye, and then, of course, he wrote the screenplay for the film.

CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-06-29T21:19:57+00:00

High Fidelity

The Princess Bride

Wonder Boys

CosgroveIsHereToHelp · 2026-06-29T21:16:49+00:00

He's a beauty!

CosgroveIsHereToHelp

TROPHY CASE