Broccante in the Grassmarket

While His Lordship slept the sleep of the just, I sneaked out with my bike just after sunrise to check the southern environs of the estate. All seemed peaceful and in order- no cars, no people, no kamikaze rabbits throwing themselves under my wheels, just some deaf seagulls unaware of my approach and a field of horses standing still, enjoying the warmth of the rising sun on their backs.

Later we enjoyed the continental atmosphere in the Grassmarket where there was a mini farmer's market and several stalls of 'broccante' together with pavements full of café tables and people enjoying the rarity of sipping coffees outside in the sun.

Home to hoist the sun umbrella, coinciding nicely with the inevitable advent of clouds and a chillier breeze. However there is the men's cycle race in Rio to watch and while away the afternoon.