12th April 2025

As I mentioned yesterday, I had a mega walk planned for today and to say that not only was it in fact very long but that we absolutely smashed it would be an understatement.

It is also the reason why today’s entry is going to be quite short!

This is what walking the Water of Leith will get you!

We started at the Leith end at 10am and reached Balerno about 5 hours later, with one stop for lunch and two moments of getting turned around a bit. It was just lovely.

We, Auntie Numbnuts and I, have walked the length of the Water twice previously and today was probably the best weather we had for it. Definitely an improvement from when we did it in January 2021 in the ice and did more skidding than walking.

I was excited to see Auntie Numbnuts today for two reasons. One being the fact that she has been a wonderful friend to me over these past 20 years of knowing each other and two she was the recipient of my secret knitting project!

It was only really a secret from her as Wee Daftie and Daddy Daftie knew and my family WhatsApp group chat was full of updates. So maybe surprise project is more apt.

Anyway. As a thank you to her, part of my chosen family, I made her one of the things she loves most in this life. Dave Grohl.

I customised a pattern I found online (the Happy Hippy shelf sitter by Cosypots on Etsy) so that I could create this glorious creation. As I have mentioned, I love making dolls and toys but the best part is always giving them away.

I gave her Dave at the very beginning of our walk so that she would have to carry him along the way. Which she was more than happy to do as she said herself, “You made me Dave Grohl!”

We had a really great walk, not a stroll this time, for Simba and we are both now sore, tired and feeling very accomplished. It has been a very good day.