Pedal Power

This is National Bike Week and every year at this time Edinburgh's City Fathers host a bike breakfast at the City Chambers and today was the day.

Between 8am and 10 am cyclists from across the city on their way to work or not gather in the quadrangle off the High Street and get a free breakfast of rolls with scrambled egg, sausage or bacon and a cup of tea, coffee or juice.

There are stalls with maps and other cycling paraphenalia and speeches from the high and mighty in the city council.
As usual it is a time to meet old friends and some newer ones. Just sitting was there but I only noticed one other camera and it wasn't his.

The change this year was the dropping of the Bike Co-op chain cleaning and lubing service. Instead they were inviting us to mix a smoothie of banana and orange juice by pedalling like maniacs on a stationary bike connected to a rotating jug. The faster the pedalling, the smoother the smoothie. Simple!

I eyed the size of the bike and the length of my legs with a bit of suspicion, but managed to clamber on without disgracing myself and do the needful to the banana and juice. Result - a delicious smoothie , all of my own making.
It might be a good eco friendly option to consider installing such a bike in the Dower House kitchen.

The other innovation this year was the police indelible marking of bicycles, which could be useful if thieves strike.

Now after lunch His Lordship is settling down to watch the England and Slovenia match while I dot about listening with half an ear and watering the tubs in the garden and attending to Blipfoto. I like to get my priorities right.