Day 185: Panda Eyes

Our stubborn endurance of the foul weather has been rewarded with a beautiful, crisp day with clear skies.

Eggs Benedict again (powerless to resist) followed by a trip to the zoo. A visit to Edinburgh Zoo is akin to a morning mountaineering, but it was worth it to be there when it was virtually deserted. The panda obliged by sleeping near the window - this is the male, who can sleep in public, totally unphased by noise or movement. The female can only sleep out of public view as she wakes at the slightest noise. There's a universal truth.

Back to the city for Sarah to fulfil her quota of carousel rides and for us to have things to eat smothered in chocolate. A lovely lunch and we emerged to find the world transformed - the leisurely and half empty markets were thronged - it was mayhem! So we retired to Carlton Hill to watch the sunset, and are now relaxing in the hotel bar (nothing alcoholic of course) before we brave Cross Country trains again and set off home.

It was a lovely weekend. Some interesting Gothic architecture in extras.