I did a few exercises this morning instead of going to the gym. Hazel came over for a coffee and to finalise the May holiday plans. She had had a bit of a drama, though, weirdly, she got a big skelf in her forefinger. Blood everywhere! She’d been told to put vinegar on it, and then baking soda. She’s now got the last bit of splinter out (she kindly sent a photo). Alcohol will help to dull the pain, so it’s fortunate that we’re all going down for a soirée at Christine’s this evening.

As soon as she’d gone, Archie and I went down town. Yes, I was returning - not one, but two shoes. I wore them around the house all evening and decided I didn’t want to risk it. Quite embarrassing, actually, but fortunately it wasn’t the same young ladies as the past two visits.

We took a random bus up the road and walked across the Links, and JR took Archie out again later. She went to the supermarket in the afternoon to make up a fresh fruit platter to take to Christine tonight.

EDIT: Layer, much later - we had a wonderful night at Christine’s. She excelled herself with an amazing spread of wonderful treats and - plenty of bottles of fizz. Dougal was a wee star, as usual. Archie was his usual anti-social self - sat on Elizabeth’s knee most of the evening, occasionally resorting to skulking in the hall. Dougal tried hard to engage him in a bit of frolicking, to no avail. 

But WHAT A SPREAD!