Lots of non-knit today...

Xanadu

Attentive readers will remember that our Beijing-based son James and his son Alistair recently went camping in Xanadu (and Alistair said he preferred Strathardle). I had assumed that this was just a burst of outdoors-i-ness, James having morphed into a scoutmaster in his middle years, but it turns out that it was research for an article in the current issue of the Economist (July 2nd-8th), page 61 of the British edition. (They move the pages around for other places.) There is even a photograph of some stately pleasure domes, presumably from James's digital camera.

Anarchy

We went into central Edinburgh yesterday afternoon and had a frustrating time of it, as everything was shut. We tried three separate post offices and came home still carrying our load of outgoing mail. We tried to walk along Princes Street, east to west, to deliver a letter by hand at the National Gallery, but our progress was barred by thousands of police in full riot gear just like in the movies. There were also dozens of journalists with cameras and those furry microphones, and perhaps a dozen anarchists, sitting in the middle of Princes Street and taking turns photographing each other with the riot police. The anarchists must have become more numerous later, as many were arrested, according to the news.

Knitting

That is a picture of our granddaughter Hellie, wearing her version of Gladys Amedro's "Cobweb Lace Wrap". I knit it as written for Hellie's mother Rachel for her 40th birthday, and a couple of years ago Hellie actually asked for one, a huge compliment from her non-knit-wearing generation. I bought some yarn when we were in Beijing in '03 since actual Shetland cobweb is too fragile for my liking, and knit this version, Amedro's shape with lace patterns selected from Sharon Miller's book. The Chinese yarn claims to be merino and was heaven to knit with.

I have advanced to repeat no. 17 of the Princess shawl, and have nearly finished the front of the striped Koigu. Tonight I have to go to a committee meeting. I will take Thomas the Elder's socks, and may get near finishing. Bets, thank you for your kind offer to get me another Katcha Katcha. I finally found mine, inside the Knitting Calendar box, and will need it for the committee meeting.