Sorry about yesterday. We had a grand day at the Games, and I held out well. But yesterday was exhausting – an early morning Italian lesson, always tiring and this one was via Skype, adding stress. Then Archie came for a late lunch, no stress, grand to see him, but it left me tired in the evening.

And – second apology – no pictures, yet. I carefully charged up my telephone the day before (and was alarmed to find it warm when I unplugged it in the evening). When the baronet began his march across the bridge, eagle feather in cap, drawn sword in hand, the telephone turned out flat as a pancake. It will take a charge, it turns out, but won’t hold it for more than a couple of hours. I’ll have to go see Mr. Apple.

The Games website is rather busy and over-designed, and contains only the briefest glimpse of the baronet, but gives the general idea.

Since we hadn’t been able to take a car to the field the evening before, we had to sit over on the other side, near the heavyweights who put shots and toss cabers. It was rather interesting.

There was a substantial family of Italians picnicking just next to us, with wicker hampers and delicious-looking food. Eventually (and without a drop to drink) I went over and asked them how to say "Highland games" in Italian. They tried to switch into their faultless English but I persevered in execrable Italian for a few more sentences before releasing them and going back to my party. That would have been a silly and bad-mannered way to behave in Palermo, I feel, but in Kirkmichael I can speak any bloody language I want to.

Normally when I don't know something in Italian and can't be bothered to look it up, I Google it. Yesterday morning, in preparation for my Skype lesson from Rome, I tried that. Google doesn't know how to say "highland games" in Italian.   I felt triumphantly vindicated. ("Giochi delle Highlands") 

Knitting

Tired means tired, so not much has been done. But today I reached the armholes of the Kirigami, much counting of stitches, and divided the work. The instructions said to leave the yarn attached, nearly a full ball, so I did that and wound the next one. That leaves me ready to cast on the first sleeve this evening, when there is lots of interesting television.