The Royal Yacht Britannia

Had a lovely sleep last night in my posh hotel, but didn't realise I hadn't included breakfast in the tariff and for one Weetbix and two pieces of toast (I brought my own Vegemite!) it cost £14.95. I guess that's life in the fast lane!!!

Anyway, I checked out by 9.30am and walked over the bridge to my new hotel for this evening - the Apex - and the people here are so lovely. They were very happy to mind my cases and actually had put them in my room for me when I arrived back from my journeys!

This has nothing to do with anything, but I'm noticing continually how many people in the service industry in Scotland are from Eastern Europe. There are very few local people.  Just an observation!

OK, so once the cases were sorted, the man at the desk told me how to catch the bus to see the Royal Britannia. It left right outside the hotel, and I don't think it was the quickest route, because it took over 30 mins to get there, but it was interesting to just go through the suburbs and see what Edinburgh looks like outside the tourist area.

Maybe I'm spoiled through living in Perth, but to me, much of the housing and shops look very old and run down. There are quite a few boarded up and not in use. Maybe it's a reflection of the economy...??? Or maybe it's because Edinburgh is very old????

Anyway, back to the day at hand....

Royal Yacht Britannia

It is moored quite close to the city, but it needed a bus ride - wasn't in walking distance. I keep forgetting that Edinburgh is actually a port. So you can see the port behind it and around it.

I took so many photos today, that I will have to be quite disciplined in what  I add....

Once again we were given  an audio guide, which was just fantastic because you can then move at your own pace. There were heaps of other tourists there, so I was glad I was reasonably early.

The tour started in the Bridge and I'm not going to remember all the important  things they told us on the tour... It might just have to be visual.... but we certainly were shown a lot!

The Bridge

About the wheelhouse

Admiral's Cabin

Admiral's Dining room

Apparently the Admiral used to dine with the Queen, but if she wasn't on board he would dine alone, so the other officers could relax without the boss around!

Rear deck where Royal Family would play deck quoits etc...

Ship's Bell

Apparently the sailors weren't allowed to wear their caps, so they weren't strictly in uniform, so they didn't have to salute every time one of Royal family went past, and Royals didn't have to salute back. They also used first names only - can't remember why!

All scrubbing of deck had to be completed before 7.30am so as not to disturb the Royals!!!

Sailors had to be totally quiet at all times and even used hand signals to communicate..... these Royals are a bit spoilt, I reckon.

Royal windows are above eye level so that no-one can peek in!!!!

Also, if a sailor did happen to pass a  Royal during the day, they had to stand at attention with eyes forward, until they had passed!

We were shown all the bedrooms....

Queen's bedroom

Phillip's bedroom

Honeymoon Suite - used by Charles and Diana, and Andrew and Fergie. Only double bed on the ship!

 Halfway  through the tour, so time for a cuppa on the top deck, where Queen would've taken her tea!!!

Coffee on the Sundeck

Sundeck tea room

They showed us all the different ranks' quarters...
I think this one was the Officers' lounge and dining room...

Officer's Dining room

Officers' sitting room

Next came the dining arrangements. This is the formal dining room where heads of states were entertained... eg Winston Churchill and Bill Clinton. Took over 3 hours to set up because each place had to be measured with a ruler and be exactly right.

Formal dining room.

This was the Queen's Office where she still spent considerable time working each day. The official papers were still flown out to her for her perusal.

Queen's Office

This is the Drawing Room where they relaxed in the evening. Apparently Queen and Phillip had a big say in the decor of the furniture and wanted to keep it very simple

Drawing Room

Grand Piano is bolted down in case it gets rough!

Going down the ranks the Chief Petty Officers Quarters . Apparently this was a very popular place on the ship, but was by invitation only. A lot of the Queen's staff used to hang out for invitations!

Bar

Sleeping Quarters

More sleeping quarters

It also had a complete sick bay and operating table and always had a medico on board. If the Queen was present, her personal Physician always travelled with them,

Sick Bay

Operating Table

The ship also had it's own laundry. These machines were designed when the ship was built (??1953??) and were still functional right to the end. They don't build them like that anymore!

Laundry

And the last thing was the ship's engine - looks in pristine condition....

Ship's Engine

Ship's Engine

Ship's Engine

And that was the end of the tour. I absolutely loved it. Wish I could have remembered all the fascinating little facts they told us, but at least it gives you a bit of an overview.

Tonight I am meeting with my new tour group.
A few people have been asking about this tour, so here's the link...

Edinburgh, Highlands and Islands


The reason I chose this tour is it offers some wonderful trains journeys, It also repeats a few experiences I've had in the last few weeks as well..... but never mind.

So, off we go again on another journey as we hurtle through Wattle's Wanderings!