:: what is that strange fiery ball in the sky?

Mmm, yes, we had a day of sunshine that coincided with my day off. Sort of unbelievable. I made the most of it.

The morning walk was eventful in that first of all we met two lads who've decided Bertie must be cured of his fear of children, by them. They were excellent: they got off their bikes, ignored his wild barking and posturing, spoke to him gently and actually got him calmed down enough for me to get him on the lead.

Then we went down to the marina, where we met Lisa from down the road. She gave me a cigarette and we sat and smoked while her dogs splooshed about in the river. Bertie had copied them drinking from their favourite puddle, but romping in the river? No thanks.

Back home I mowed the lawns and did some very light gardening: dead-headed the roses and hacked off some blackberry infiltrating the honeysuckle. Had a long chat with Frances from next door. Then I went out the back and flopped down in my under-used folding chair with the crossword puzzle and a cold drink to soak up the rays.

Took the dog for a quick afternoon walk, then did some more lying around in the sun. Staggered back indoors much later, washed the dishes in a fit of shame (they were starting to smell) and was just contemplating what to cook for dinner when the phone rang. It was John -- he and Penny were coming to Queensferry to walk the dog, would l like to join them for a meal? Yes please!

So Bertie and I sauntered down to the agreed cafe, on the seafront. It's a new one, it has tables and chairs outside. It was busy, plus they were setting up a funfair across the road -- part of the Ferry Fair Week -- and the two dog-taming boys turned up, so Bertie was not a happy dog. John and Penny's terrier, Oz, on the other hand, was very well behaved, sat quietly under the table. We didn't discover until it was time to go that he'd been gnawing away on the furniture ... oh dear.

It was amazing how busy it was: the road was thronged with traffic -- including an annoying boy on a motorised scooter who droned back and forth in a "look at me" manner. At one point he was holding up some blokes on Vespas, who were beeping him: Hey, we've got real scooters, all right? Haw. And the footpaths were thonged too, and the cafe. Bertie got lots of attention -- a man with no shirt and lots of tattoos threw his arms around him and gave him a good cuddle: "There ye go, darling, ooooh ye beauty, lovely boy..." etc. Then he said, "Ye can tell he's no racing, he's fat." I laughed at that, because everyone else thinks he's really skinny -- only the experts can spot his lard-arse state.

So yes, that was fun. I walked J&P back to their car, at Dalmeny, and they gave me a lift home. At home I discovered a phone message from Fiona, who'd called to invite me to an Abba singalong! Wah! Never mind, I'm meeting her tomorrow (later today actually, as it's nearly 1am) at the same cafe as last night's meal.

Then Faye rang, and I talked to her for two hours! Blimey.

To backtrack a little, the weather was horrible on Saturday so I did go clothes shopping. I spent several sweaty hot hours at the South Gyle mall, ugh, but came away with good purchases, including a very pretty pink shirt and four bras. Four! My old ones were falling apart, literally.

Today's weather report: intermittent haar, hot and sunny otherwise. Some spectacular sights as the haar blanketed the river, leaving the bridge pylons poking out, the rest completely invisible. Then later on, after I started work, there was a tropical deluge. The skies opened and the rain thundered down.

I visited the podiatrist this afternoon for a follow-up on my insoles, she's pleased with progress and so am I. I thought last week they were horrible but my legs/ankles/feet/knees are so much better now. Everything just about is pain free, and when I don't wear the damned insoles I feel my ankles wonking around like dough hooks.

Oooh! Time to go home.

Weird website alert, before I go: I don't know if this is a piss-take or not.