Memorable Day!

What a day - FOUR rugby matches to watch!! A veritable marathon. And so I was up and out early(ish) with Archie to get some steps in before the afternoon sofa-fest. Archie, though he was to be out with Elizabeth later in the day, was up for it. 

It was one of those splendid days with dark skies, but bright sunshine. We took a bus down to Victoria Street, then walked through the Grassmarket. The street market was still being set up, we were that early.(Extra 1)

And then we had a nice surprise! As we climbed up the Vennel Steps, there, half way up, was a piper in full regalia, playing ‘Highland Cathedral’ - my favourite. There was a photographer taking shots of him, with a sunny castle in the background, obviously for the Scotsman Calendar… EXCEPT THAT AN OLD CODGER WAS IN THE WAY…

I tried to hurry, and moved right over to the side as I staggered up, thereby actually slowing down because I couldn’t hang on to the central railing. When we did eventually get past him, we stopped and watched (while I got my breath back). The photographer waited till the light was right each time, and I asked if I could maybe have a shot with Archie beside the piper - though Archie wasn’t too keen on the NOISE… (Extra 2) The photographer mentioned something about two people coming… not yet. Fair enough. 

The piper moved up nearer the photographer, then the two people came. And one of them, the man, suddenly knelt down and… Yes! It was a marriage proposal with the piper, and the castle bathed in sunshine, in the background. How romantic. Actually, the chap looked a bit teary-eyed. Probably with relief, as so many things could have gone wrong. (Extra 3) So glad we didn’t miss it!

Home (4,104 steps) and ready to relax for the afternoon, exercise done. The afternoon has been FULL of great games. But really, even I will admit that FOUR games is perhaps more than enough. The France vs All Blacks game is on now, so I have to rush off!