That's a nice shirt!

Bread making, torture machine cross trainer and then off out on a mission.

One of the balustrades on our stairway had been cut ages ago to steal a bike that was chained to it. I constantly warn every other biker of this, to no avail, they always chain their bikes to them. When we came back from Oz, I noted that another one had been cut and was no more. Not a good look. Like a lovely smile with a couple of teeth missing.

And so I set off to an architectural salvage yard to see if I could match them. Of course not. They are lovely designs, and apparently countless versions. I will have to get a blacksmith to make a mould and forge new ones. This sounds like lots of money. I will have to consult with the other residents before going further. They don't tend to agree on anything that costs money, though.

I was pleased to make it there and back without getting wet. It was a sunshine and showers day, with very sudden switches between the two. In fact, when I first set off, I diverted to the cafe as a squall got up and my umbrella nearly took off. I was sitting beside this charming young man, and just glanced at him as he indicated the seat was spare.

'What a nice, unusual shirt', I thought.

Then, 'That can't be a beer belly on one so young...'

On further investigation I spotted a wee leg sticking out the bottom of the 'shirt' and a little hairy head sticking out the top. It's a baby carrier! He was happy for me to take his photo. I had a very good coffee and read of the papers till the squall moved on.

On the way back on one bus I had a big chat with an elderly lady who hailed from Western Australia, but had married a Scot and now lived in the Grassmarket. I got the whole life story. She'd been to an English school in Korea and was taught by a direct descendant of Admiral Nelson.

The next bus was full, and so I sat facing the passengers. What a motley crew! My trigger finger was itching, I can tell you! It must be the Festival - that bus is not nearly so motley normally!