And back to real life (but just for a day or two; there's more birthday related japery in the pipeline)
Out on the bikes into a cool fresh morning; and once they were safely lined up and being ushered into the warmth, I set about a meander around the 'hood; a 94 year old who still lives alone in her own home; seems to manage fine!; and after a couple more doors were chapped, I went off in a Wester Hailes kinda direction. (OK, maybe not the most direct route but a cycle friendly one*
Up Drumbrae,  down the other side, finally found wine glasses for her, on through Bankhead and Sighthill to arrive somewhat predictably no one in. Hey ho. I managed a rummage around the old Tesco at Dumbryden - someone has had a bonfire and gained access that way - before hitting the more refined areas such as Ravelston, Stockbridge and then home for a late lunch of leek and potato soup. (I also scored some monk fish tails for dinner; I marinated them in cumin, turmeric, garlic, ginger, lime, coriander and some garam masala; all mixed up in yoghurt)

Then a late afternoon burst to Newhaven and up to Dalry (cancelled about 200 yards short of the door.- bugger...)
So took the lap top and the monkfish to hers; worked another hour there before doing halloumi and then the fish with pistachio rice and asparagus.

A pleasant evening, a quick check in with the brothers ('south of Birmingham; within hitting distance of Plymouth on Tuesday) before cycling home in the cold just after 10. 



*Also a blip friendly one :)