Another lazy relaxed day (for me, anyway). JR was occupied and bustling around most of the day. She took Archie out for a walk in the morning, and I roused myself to take him out in the afternoon. We’re expecting a delivery, so wanted someone to be in. It didn’t come. Again.

We hopped on the bus and went down town a bit. As we walked up the Royal Mile, I spotted Hazel the owl and her dad. They’re always there, apparently, but I’ve never noticed them before. 

Dead funny - Hazel was gazing at Archie with her big saucer eyes, but he didn’t notice for ages, because of his eyebrows. And when he did look up and see her, he let out a weak yelp and wanted to remove himself from the vicinity with immediate effect. But I persuaded him to hang around while I took a photo. I also got to stroke her with a feather.

A swarm of tourists arrived, and they seemed to know Hazel from another visit. The handler showed them what was in the other big box - a huge bird sitting in the dark with a hood on. He told me it was a Golden Eagle.

‘Are you allowed to keep a Golden Eagle?’ I asked.

Yes, said he. It was born in captivity and he bought it from a registered bird handler. He must be allowed to do this, as he’s been on the Royal Mile for ages, and surely would have been stopped before now.

We took the bus home again, as it was very cold, and I was very weary.

Another new variant!!