#POP3

So, do the stats. 10 miles, 5 hours. Hardly the speediest cycle ride in history, but...

Up at 6.30, and the slow run through cereal choices, toast toppings and wardrobe decisions. Aimed to leave around 10 to be at hers for 11; it's a handy RV point for Pedal on Parliament, so why not?

Then I remembered I'd left the MTB at school yesterday so at 10, we wandered up there, then cycled up the paths to Canonmills; walked up Scotland St, Dublin St and then chained the bikes at St James Centre to go to Claire's for crazy loom bands.

Then onwards, up the North Bridge, the High St, and George IV Bridge. Finally there at 1120. Slightly late but not too bad; we finally escaped at 1145 and were at the back of the queue for 12; not a bad turnout; I reckon down on last year but still a significant number there. Nicola lead, I was in the middle, G and S at the back. A gentle run down the hill to parliament, wide smiles on faces.

We ignored speeches in favour of lunch; Sharon's leek potato soup, Nicola's ham rolls, my cherry almond cake. And a mountain of fruit.

We left 1315, G got a lift, the girls went back up the Grassmarket and we headed off for sunny Granton via Abbeyhill, Easter Road, Brunswick Road and down McDonald Road to the cyclepaths; home around 3.

In for refreshments and packing up the boys stuff before running them home for 1630. Hilariously Alex first thing he said to her was 'Did you tidy my room...?' She said why don't you go and see...?. *sighs*

Home, slept for half an hour then set to with the devastation the marauding hoards had left; made sweet potato chilli lime soup for tomorrow's Munro expo. Pork chilli ginger lime coriander burgers for dinner later in the coming week.

Searching Flickr for POP photos, chatting with her, and packing boots maps compass camera for tomorrow. And a much needed soothing bath. Lots of smiles today. POP is a feelgood thing, I love that 364 days of the year I live in fear of cars buses and lorries but for one day all the other two wheeled eejits get out there and gather and yeah..we have fun.