Swans

I've noticed there have been quite a few swans paddling around The Shore recently but I've never had an opportunity to get a decent photo, they've either been too far away or I've been in a rush to catch the bus. Today I had the time to catch these three before the bus arrived.

I headed up to the Farmers' Market, there were two different stalls selling chili jams, etc the first was a new one, to me, Galloway Chillies from whom I bought a Whisky flavoured chilli jam and a Chilli & Lemon jam. The second was Chillilicious, who I'd seen before, they make some lovely chilli oatcakes which I bought two packets of. They had a whole range of jams, sauces and chutneys available for tasting, they were laid out in a row from the mildest to the hottest. The hottest was a sauce with a label saying "Are you mental?". This of course I took as a challenge and tried some, it WAS really hot! I did NOT buy it but I did buy a nice, fairly mild Apple & Pear Chilli chutney.  I'm not sure what I'll do with two chilli jams and a chilli chutney but I'm sure I'll get through them eventually.

After picking up some bottles of beer from the Eden Brewery stall I headed round the corner to the Red Squirrel for a couple pints. I then took the bus back to Leith where I stopped into VDeep which is the new incarnation of The Vintage, it re-opened a few weeks ago after re-decorating. It is now Indian themed and is backed (co-owned?) by Hardeep Singh. I did not have anything to eat only a couple beers while I watched the Rugby (the less said about that the better! ). I can't say I'm overly impressed with the change, the walls are now covered in some interesting artwork, sort of graffiti style spray paintings and the tables are glass covered, with the cutlery sitting in glasses, the staff are all wearing Adidas track suit jackets and jeans, they were all friendly and cheerful and the barman was very helpful and knowledgeable about his beers but it does give the feeling of a slightly cheap, dare I say, "council estate" diner. They still do a good variety of beers with their regular beers provided by Williams and about eight guest beers, many from Drygate. I will return to try the food soon.