Clever Boy!

In Edinburgh today shopping. Bit of a mixed day really - went to the Gyle first specifically to go to Hawkin's Bazaar only to find that it wasn't there any more. A quick website check revealed that it had moved to the St James' Centre, so we could have just gone straight into the centre of town instead of detouring to the Gyle. Had intended to leave the car at the Gyle and get the bus into town and so go to the bus stop only for Ken to announce that he's left his jacket in the car and needs to go back and get it. So we all troop back to the car and I decided that we might as well drive the short distance to South Gyle station then and get the train in instead as it might be quicker than the bus. We miss a train by a minute and have to wait 20mins for the next one. Then we get to Waverley and Ken announces that he now needs a pee, so we have to wait for him to go the toilet. Will we ever actually set foot on Princes Street today I wonder?!

Go to Hawkin's Bazaar and they don't stock the item I want so I am going to have to order it from their online shop. What else is on my shopping list then? Another couple of items including something that I spotted in an independent card shop last month. Get there only to find that they don't stock it any more - but I could try the online shop! My last item I look in Jenners for but they don't seem to have it so I try Harvey Nicols instead. They have a variety of it but not the exact kind I want, but I buy it anyway just so I have something to show for my trip into town! I am being secretive about the specific nature of these items because they are presents for a friend for a special day we have planned for him in two weeks time so I can't divulge too much about them.

Elsewhere though, good things happened. We unexpectedly came across a small continental market and bought some baguettes and smelly cheeses to have for tea tonight. Then when buying perfume for myself we were offered a free glass of wine each as we browsed, and when I went to pay I was told that because I had spent over £35 I was entitled to a free bottle of shower gel worth £13.

As I say then, a mixed day with failures and successes!

On our way back to catch the train, we passed a busker and what was in front of him made not just us, but other passers-by, stop and go "awwww?". His dog was sitting holding the hat for people to put the money in. Definitely worth a blip! And we paid the dog for it too!