Our last day in Edinburgh we toured the castle. All I could think about is how the view must have looked in the 1600s as compared to the tourist nightmare that now unfolds beneath it. We then spent the afternoon in Leith, on the outskirts of town and right on the water. We visited an excellent pub and had dinner at one of the best Thai restaurants we’ve ever tried.

After a morning on the train we arrived in Bradford, said hello to lovely Rita who owns the apartment, dropped off luggage and headed straight to the cat rescue. They are open to the public most Sunday afternoons (requiring volunteers) so we were hoping to see many familiar faces, which we did. It was fantastic to see everyone and get an update on the current resident cats. They are literally brimming full and have some very interesting cases as always.

We then went to buy groceries, an event I have been looking forward to. The food is different and I have learned to check expiry dates. Lunch meat here is not good for a month. Milk is good for one week, not 6. There are few canned goods. Bread is not sugar laden sponge. You get the drift. I cook breakfast every morning I am here and most evening meals as well. We also buy certain things to take home. Sara will be loaded down tomorrow!

We met friends of the rescue for dinner and it was a grand way to end the day, laughing and catching up.

Today, Sara and I went to York—arguably one of the best towns in Yorkshire. I did so well packing less, now ruined by shopping I didn’t intend to do.

Back to the food…there are still butchers here. We had some freshly made pork and apple “burgers” tonight purchased from a butcher in York.

Tomorrow Sara is leaving and I will be returning to work and doing my first shift at the rescue. I hope to get some pictures of a cat that is quite an interesting case.

I honestly don’t know what that is but it looks like a cat door to me.