----Port of Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland

The Queen's stateroom aboard the decommissioned Royal Yacht Britannia is boring! Okay, there, I've said it and feel so much better!

Today Michael and I spent the day in Edinburgh touring the sights with great guides provided by my friend, Susie Worthy of Noteworthy Events. Susie is a pro, wowing clients with unforgettable life experiences. We spent the morning in the many interesting nooks and crannies of the Edinburgh Castle followed by a luncheon in a private dining room on the grounds of the castle. For our afternoon activity we picked a visit to the former HMY Britannia, permanently docked at the port of Leith, just outside Edinburgh.

Ann Litt, a fellow travel advisor and Anglofile Extraordinaire, left me a message on Facebook, "Wait until you see the Queen's stateroom!" That got my curiosity going. I inhaled my lunch (is Vegetarian Haggis an oxymoron?) to insure I was back on the coach in plenty of time before departing for Leith. Upon arrival at "THE YACHT" I was giddy beyond belief. "The Queen's stateroom! Ann said I'd be amazed. I bet it's opulent beyond belief---maybe a Royal nightie with HRH Elizabeth II embroidered across the bodice? A decadent crystal chandelier or two? Monogrammed velvet bedroom slippers? My mind was spinning with the possibilities!

Carrying the requisite audio player, I began my tour. "Welcome to the Bridge, ladies and gentlemen!" The bridge? Hello? Do I look like I'm interested in the bridge? Come on, folks! I hurried through the upper deck Stop, View, and Listen posts and went down below. I suffered through the officer's lounge and Officer's dining room wildly eying my surroundings for a shortcut to the Queen's Stateroom. I took a risk and darted past Listening and Viewing Posts 7,8 and 9 to----Eureka!!! #10, "The Queen's Stateroom!" There it was in all its dullness----a small twin bed with a writing desk/night table next to it. The bed was covered with floral print sheets and a bedspread that were tailored from some sheets that had belonged to Queen Victoria---very, how shall I put it???? Very boring, faded and dull. In all fairness, there was a mirror at the far end of the room, a closet, and small sofa so one could honestly say the room is, well, roomy...oh, and did I mention, incredibly dull?

The real question about all this is: What was I thinking? How many photos have I seen of Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family? Dozens. Has she ever stood in a provocative manner or dressed in an "Oh my God, I want a dress just like hers" way? Big NO! I guess this experience qualifies as a true delusion of grandeur!