Still no snow. This ‘Beast from the East’ is missing us out. Though there were a few sleet flurries during the day. Actually, it wasn’t too cold out, as there was no wind, and the sun was out in between flurries.

I did my bike, and while JR did a zoom fitness session, Archie and I went out for a walk. Actually we had to wait till the sleet stopped and the sun came out again. Luckily, there was only a wee flurry while we were in the Meadows.

While out walking, I listened to a podcast series called ‘Bad Bridgets’ (‘Bridget’ being a common Irish name - it’s a great name for the the series) which is about the young Irish women who went to America in the 19th century. Many of them were sent by their poor families to find jobs and send money home, but it was a hard life. A disproportionate number of them ended up in jail, often for minor offences. In fact, the figures of Irish women in jail in the US at this time were truly shocking.

Much of Edinburgh was plunged into darkness last night, with a blackout that lasted about an hour. People looking for candles and batteries for their torch puzzle me - I bet they have a phone.