August (and that disappeared rapidly!!)

Thursday 1st, time for the poor old cat's last trip to the vet, the tumour has grown and he could only lick at his food and even though we had liquidised stuff for him he was getting very little down, then this morning he just looked at his food, turned and went back to his window seat.

Job done and burial plot where he used to sit and contemplate his next lizard hunting foray!!

A few days of admin, sorting storage lockers out and tidying before the weather starts to turn; get a coat of paint on the north facing skirting boards, trim the edge of an access hatch and lastly get a spot of lubrication on the new bike.

Tues 6th, into Elgin to get train via Inverness to Edinburgh; had to travel a day early to get my bike on, no bike space Wed!  Train running about an hour late, lots of passengers jumpin up n doon because of missed connections.  I decide to get off at Haymarket as it's a shorter push to daughter Louise's flat, I'm carrying big, heavy rucksack and didn't fancy diving into the traffic trying to ride with that on my back!!
D arriving by bus Wed evening.  Sunshine, a pleasant temperature for riding, the Union Canal is only a short distance from the flat giving a traffic free route towards Tollcross, from there another ten minutes saw me at Edinburgh Bike Co-op. A good mooch around the shop looking at all the shiny bits of bike then bought a spare innertube and set of ergo grips; not exactly a big spender but enough for starters, then back towards Tollcross to Bike Trax where a good sale price cut persuaded me to invest in a heavy duty D lock.

Thurs 8th, took a pleasant walk along the canal back past Bike Trax and into A Taste Of France!

A great spot for a coffee and croissant.  No coffee and cake shot this time, however, on Tues 13th I was back there for lunch!  See below.

Tomato and basil soup along with a serious hunk of tomato basil and Brie baguette.

Queens Hall was the venue for the evening of the 8th.  Orchestra del Sol were doing their one performance of the Fringe before heading down to Englandshire to play a couple more gigs.
It was a sell out performance, the last few tickets selling as a result of the band doing a bit of street playing up in the Grass Market and pulling the customers in!!

Friday night and I was on my way to Ae forest for more 'down hill' mayhem with Rescue Medics, SDA members providing the casualties!

10th and 11th, training on Saturday and racing Sunday. 

Saturday evening Ae bike base put on a great BBQ, £2.50 for a very tasty pork and apple burger, salad, coleslaw etc, fantastic value.

The vino collapse courtesy of  Paul's medicinal wine import enterprise!!

The ambulance arrives to deliver another damaged rider! 

Sunday 18th, A treat for the Cancer Support Group!  Mrs Yates, a charming lady, very kindly laid on a garden party at The Grove, her staff had pulled out the stops and really did us proud, a superb buffet, a drink or two plus entertainment!  A great afternoon was had by all!!

Lastly a new member of the household arrived!  Roxy, a six and half year old rescue cat who had been abandoned by her owner.