Double Rainbow!

Did a bit of gardening this morning - ie chopping down the dead climbing plant on the trellis by the door. Something else will have to be planted there. Or maybe not. Added a few bits of chicken wire to make the front hedge dog proof - there are several dog sized holes in it. Washed the path - discovered the best way - fill the watering can up, set it up tilted on the front step, and a nice slow steady flow enables a good brushing. I shall be doing this twice a day for - oh - at least a week. Dratted leaves keep landing on the New Path!

Archie and I were out the front patio for ages - it was warm. I need to be with him to make sure he doesn’t bark at passing screechy toddlers or dogs, which he generally doesn’t, but it was good to be ready to distract him each time. He doesn’t bark at people at the front door, but rather annoyingly for our neighbour - and us, because she doesn't like it - barks his head off when she hangs her washing out in the back green (but only when we're not there to stop him, of course). It may come as a surprise that somebody doesn't love Archie quite as much as we do.

We (JR and I, not Archie and I...) tossed around various options for a day out until it wasn’t a day out any more, but an afternoon out. Which ruled out most ideas. Also, the sunshine disappeared and rain came. Then the sun again. Eventually, popping up Blackford Hill was the preferred option: easy parking, short journey, great views.

Short journey yes. But… he was sick in the back seat. We were getting complacent and thought he had maybe, just maybe, got over the car sickness. Luckily, it's just undigested kibble, and not messy or smelly at all.

Anyway, we all had a fantastic time up the hill. Lots of doggy folk to chat to. A family taking photos - the wee boy is entering his double rainbow photo in a competition to win an iPad. He also took a photo of a very scruffy Archie. We stood and talked with them for ages. They are renting here, and were making up their minds whether to commit to a permanent move to Edinburgh. I think they decided today!

There were vast black clouds, Fife had disappeared, but a shaft of sunlight was on the Castle, with the rest of the city in deep shade. Fantastic. AND a rainbow! A double rainbow!! I could hardly stagger up the hill fast enough. This is three shots. It was wild up at the top, but wonderful.

If anyone had suggested we go a walk up a big hill on a wild blustery afternoon before we had a dog - we'd've thought they were mad! And look what we would have missed.