Sprint

After walking Django this morning, I went into Edinburgh, where my financial advisor talked me through the investment scheme he's come up with to manage my inheritance. We also talked about the money I'll earn externally over the next year, and how to avoid losing a lot of it in tax. I'm now on the lookout for an accountant!

After that, I met up with daughter K at our solicitors, as she was discussing the final arrangements for buying the flat she's moving into on Monday. This was followed by a visit to the Royal Bank on Princes Street to transfer the money! 

By then it was after 14:00, and we were hungry, so we had excellent daal from the vegan café across the road. We then went our separate ways, since I was staying in town to watch the World Sprint Orienteering Championships. 

Having this event in Edinburgh has been on the cards for years - as the complexity, topography and iconic locations of the centre makes it such an incredible venue. However, I was curious to see how such a prestigious event could be put on in the middle of a busy city and, thanks to an army of volunteers, it seemed to go very well, and made great watching! 

In the Gardens I could buy a map of the men's and women's courses, but the competitors can't study it, as they only get this at the start - in Old College (see extra). I then followed part of the course, seeing competitors making challenging navigation decisions in a complex of squares and closes south of the Royal Mile (see extra). Then they emerged onto the Royal Mile itself where, despite a semi-barriered area, they still had a few members of the public to dodge! Volunteers were also explaining what was going on to bemused onlookers! After a loop around the grounds of the Hogwarts-Gothic Heriots School, they finally emerged for a steep descent from New College (see extra) and the final few controls in Princes Street Gardens. There one could witness elite athletes sprinting over grassy lawns dotted with picnicking families! The finish was at the Ross Bandstand (see extra), and I waited there until the last runner came in - they start at 90s intervals, with the fastest qualifiers going last. The winner was a Swede, who managed the 4.4km course in just under 16 minutes! 

By then my phone was out of charge, so I could take no photos, and I had a dull, hot bus ride home.