New cafe

Archie's time clock seems to have been reset. For months he's been sleeping all night, and happy to wait till he's taken out for his toiletries about 7am/8am. This week he's been going out in the wee (!) sma' hours, but happily going back to bed. This morning he wanted out at 6am, and he then charged about the house playing. In fact, playing with his new toy - JR's slippers - which I found in bits when I eventually got up to investigate what the ripping sound in the hallway was.

I like the old time clock, Archie, which is the same as ours. Please return to it.

Yesterday we spotted a new cafe in an area we don't frequent - Polwarth. Dog friendly too, so today we walked over to check out the coffee. Really liked it - casual, mis-matched furniture, good coffee, rustic interior. I had a (decent) flat white and a smidgen of JR's delicious banana cake. Archie was given treats by the young owner. Very dog friendly!

Makes me really miss the one that used to be in Marchmont, which was replaced by an 'old lady's cafe' (JR's description). The fact that we are old ladies and don't particularly like it is beside the point. Matching tables and chairs, matching condiment sets, staff in uniforms, huge variety of cakes mass baked in their own bakeries - they have several shops/cafes around the country.

This one was full of noisy mummies and babies. A baby only a few yards from us gurgled and squealed happily - Archie did not flinch.

The walk was fraught with hazards, of course. But we did have some successes, and on balance, I think they outweigh the negatives. Although there was a pretty big negative - a dad, a wee girl and a baby in a pram came towards us. What to do? Cross the road? Try to distract him? I made him sit and waved the chicken treats in front of him. They walked by us and he didn't bark. Success!

At one point we had toddlers on wee trikes whizzing round the paths on three sides. Did he bark? No. Because he was chomping on a stick! Perhaps that's the secret.

Well, almost success. The wee toddler stopped to look at the 'nice doggie' and stepped towards him. He barked at her. She ran off, crying. She'll probably be afraid of dogs for life - nice one, Archie.

However, I made him sit on the sidelines of a tiny person football game. Lots of squealing. The football was up to their knees. Hilarious.

An afternoon on the sofa is all I'm fit for now, watching two rugby games with a beer and crisps cup of black tea and an oatcake.