Well, the pound is low against the euro, and Ben not only suggested, but actually REQUESTED that I go shopping whilst in the UK! It's been a tough assignment, but I made it...

I walked up Dundas Street from my parents' house, passing Emma Bridgwater on the way. I like her pottery but it's darn expensive, and I didn't fancy carrying it home on the plane. Instead I bought a string tin and an overtly patriotic tin tray for our entrance hall - what will the neighbours think?

My next stop was more unpredictable - my dad wanted a draught excluder and I thought of this charitable craft shop.

It sells crafts made by local people in need - they become members of the self aid society and the shop then sells their crafts. I found a great draught excluder and a few Easter presents for the boys - I'll blog about them when the boys have received them! I was very impressed by the quality, variety and price of the crafts - well worth a look if you're in central Edinburgh.

Then off down the lovely George Street, (so much more pleasant than Princes Street, which runs parallel) to:

Oooooooh!

Oooooops!
I bought a lot. But not actually too much of an 'oops', because on my list for UK shopping were: a waterproof picnic mat that won't fall apart like the last two, a pair of waterproof slip-ons for the garden, a present for my sister-in-law... If you look closely, you will see that I actually managed all of that in CK, and for a pretty good price, too. And what fun I had...

Just down the road to the noble Lakeland Limited, to see if they have any Easter Egg moulds...

Nope, but I did get Ben some more jam labels - I think he may have run out by the time I get home!

I resisted actually buying anything here:

And here, but it was great!

And took a well-deserved (?) break...

Then off down Broughton Street, to a great independent shop I found last summer.

What a lovely necklace! And only £8!

Hurray for shopping in Scotland!
Tomorrow, I might just hit the charity shops. Or maybe the vintage shops in the Grassmarket. Or maybe I'll do some sewing. Tune in tomorrow to find out...