Denise took Archie out this morning, and Elizabeth took him out this afternoon. Lucky boy!

My plan was to go straight down to the shoe shop and return the unwanted shoes. But I came away with another two (different) pairs, just swapped them over, no bother. Actually the two young shop assistants were very helpful. And patient.

Laden with my new shoes in a big bag, I headed along to the bus home. The town looked spick and span after the shamozzle of a couple of nights ago.

I stopped to watch this chap for a while. He spent ages blowing, squeezing very odd noises out of his pipes. Then he’d furrow his brow, and take off one or other of the pipes to shake it and examine it closely. I’m sure the folk gathered didn’t realise that wasn’t the noise he intended. Eventually he was happy with the sound quality, and gave us a tune. He certainly a pair of impressive whiskers! (Extra)

I had ten minutes or so till my bus, so I had a look down into East Princes Street Gardens, where, in years gone by, they have erected all their ‘Winter Festival’ stuff, thus ruining the grass, which then took about six months to recover. Every year. Very glad it was restricted to the path and smaller areas of grass up at street level this year.

There were three tall, gorgeous, black women posing and taking photos of each other, so I offered to take a photo of them all. Coats off, huge sunglasses on, they struck a few poses, and gave me a big hug when finished. I wanted to ask where they were from, but didn’t… I wish I’d asked if I could take a photo too.

JR and Archie were out in the afternoon, and as I was about to settle on the sofa for a lazy afternoon, with nibbles, I surprised myself by deciding, NO! I’m going to the gym. This is 2023.

I did 20 minutes on the low bike, moving the pressure up every five minutes, so that by the end it was pretty hard going. I then did 20 minutes on the cross trainer - same thing - moved the tension up each time. Even harder going!

But at least I’ve made a start. (9,258 steps!)