Hello, Old Friend.

Being back in Edinburgh is like greeting an old friend. Everything is so familiar, in the most welcoming way. I spent the morning walking, reacquainting myself with the streets and buildings, all as beautiful as when I left. Almost as beautiful. There's a lot of building work happening all over the city, and there are as many tall cranes as there are church steeples.

A quick stop at Hector Russell, Royal Mile to say hello, and then on to meet my friend Rutwij at Grassroots Cafe, where my plan for healthy eating went right out the sunshine filled window. I ended up with a ciabatta roll filled with salad, homemade seitan and a cheesy cashew sauce. The portions were massive, but Rutwij had already requested they reserve two special doughnuts from Considerit Cafe. I felt it was my duty to finish the Humpty Dumpty Easter doughnut, in between gulps of hemp tea - highly recommended!

Dear Stomach - I am so, so sorry.

Once I could move again, we walked to Considerit Cafe itself, where they had a display of amazing doughnuts and my all time favourite chocolate. No exaggeration there - I plan to buy a stash of it to bring back! Spring is most definitely in the air, and we passed plenty of bright flowers in the Meadows.

I headed back around Arthur's Seat. The trees are starting to bud, and the warmer weather made for a pleasant few hours walking the wrong way home. But is there really a wrong way when you're on holiday? As the man who directed me back said, "It's a beautiful place to be lost!"

By warmer weather, I mean 11C, which is surprisingly pleasant after a few days of lower temperatures. I stand out like a sore thumb in my many layers of clothing, but it's probably my giant smile which gives me away as a tourist this time. Annika and I are having a quiet night in, with popcorn, nice-cream and music. There's a lot to fit into the next couple of weeks - let the fun begin!