Walk a mile in her shoes

We got up late (apart from Ewan who was up at 7.30 and wanting to watch TV), ate like pigs (actually, we ate pigs) and headed into Edinburgh to drop off some stuff at work and to dander along the Water of Leith from Stockbridge to the Modern Art Gallery. Ellen has her first walking boots on and walked it herself. OK there was that occasional swing between me and Mandy but no carries. A milestone to be noted.

The only candidates for death along the way were the dog walkers. Mainly the ones who just let their dogs shit on the path (even in the leaves alongside the path since that's where Ellen found her's) but also the ones who go to the bother of picking up and bagging it only to ditch the bag. I'd offer maybe a broken nose to the mountain bikers cycling the path. Not that I mind sharing the path, just the expectation that everyone will step off the path or squeeze themselves against the railings or walls so that they don't have to stop cycling. Some of the joggers too.

The Modern Art Gallery cafe was closed - being refurbished - and the Dean Gallery cafe had a queuing system and many reserved tables. I'd maybe kneecap the management. I mean it's a cafe not a bloody Michelin starred restaurant. Reservations?? In a cafe? So we left there and headed to Stockbridge and Toys Galore. This was the kids' motivation for the walk. A circular route with a toy shop near the end where pocket money / Christmas money could be spent.

Ellen found herself some Sylvanian Families nonsense and Ewan didn't find anything. Normally at this point he'd be frantically trying to find something to blow his cash on but no, he didn't. He bought some Gormiti and a wee man on a parachute and kept his £10 for another day. A little maturity milestone. One I've yet to reach.

Home for a lovely dinner at chez Moore. Great food and chat and some plans for trips sketched out. A wee taster of Graeme's malt from India (out of the 101 whiskies book). A late night in bed for the weans and bulging and contented slumping on the sofa for us.

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Although I didn't get to use Katri's photo yesterday, I got an email back from her today saying she'd be happy for me to use it so I've stuck it in my folio.