Bartimaeus

When Clare first started planning her trip to Gdansk with her friends I wondered if I would come to Edinburgh while she was away.  As the time approached, a dermatology appointment made the decision easy - I was going to have to come to Edinburgh anyway.  Travelling back together with her and Bryn was the obvious choice.

On our first full day back, we'd been invited to brunch at the edge of town.  We took the bus to the campsite and arrived together, but Clare had a busier day than me and left first.  We had an enjoyable get together with friends we'd first met through cycling.  When it was time to leave, it seemed too nice a day to sit on a bus.  I headed away from the bus stop, north towards home.  The walk was easy going with views over the Firth of Forth.  I was able to pick up a a different bus for the last mile through the houses.

Before Sally left the brunch I'd arranged to go cycling with her.  Unfortunately the next morning she cancelled having broken an ankle - some people just aren't dedicated enough to their cycling.  Get well soon Sally!

I cycled out to an edge of town DIY store (several others are available) to buy some electrical items that needed replacing in the house.  While out I was thinking about another electrical problem - the dynamo on my bike seems to have stopped working.  I decided to call in at an excellent local bike shop and seek advice (other excellent local bike shops are available).

Yes, she could supply me with a replacement dynamo, but first perhaps I should look at the rust showing through the paintwork on the frame.  She suggested two places that might be able to sort the paintwork, both on the other side of Arthur's Seat.  After lunch I went to speak to them both, and then on the way home called in again to complete arrangements.

I didn't want to miss out on any cycling while back in Edinburgh, so I agreed to drop my bike in to the shop on my way to the station at the end of our Edinburgh stay.  They will strip it down, (cycle-)courier it to be repainted and then build it back up again.  All being well, my bike will come back from its holiday looking and feeling like new, long before I return to Edinburgh.

On Saturday, I had arranged a ride with Ewan.  We started with an explore along the Tweed.  A mistaken turn took us on to a small path along the river bank which we enjoyed immensely.  The long flight of steps were not the best part of the route, but they did bring us out on to some excellent quiet Border roads.

The weather continued to be pleasantly warm.  With some careful timings and routings I managed to be out cycling with Ewan or Kenny on the majority of the days I was in Edinburgh, while never getting wet enough to need to put my coat on.

Thursday started with me going to my dermatology appointment.  After a swift scan of my skin I was told there was nothing to see.  I'll get another appointment in six months time, and a scan some time after that.

I had arranged to walk to King's Buildings with Kenny to have lunch with former colleagues.  As I waited at the corner of the street a heavy shower started.  Kenny hurried back for two umbrellas.  Edinburgh is not usually the right place to use these, the rain typically arrives sideways.  Perhaps this is how these two examples had got damaged, but on this occasion they were up to the task of keeping us dry as we walked.

More cycling over the final weekend brought my mileage for this visit well above 200 miles and I can feel the difference in my legs.  While we have been away, the South Stratford Canal we were considering travelling on next has been closed due to a lack of water.  We might have to resort to a little more cycling when we return to the boat.