Messin' about by the river (and canal)

Did nearly 25 miles today starting just east of Balerno we cycled down the Water of Leith until we crossed the Union Canal. We then went onto the towpath of the canal and cycled into the centre of Edinburgh at Fountainbridge where we had our packed lunch. (sounds like schooldays all over again). We must have been there for over an hour and a half, first of all watching a crowd of people arriving for a celebratory trip of some sort on a barge, and then talking to a really interesting character who arrived on his bike having cycled from Fife. He had been in the Marines, had served in the Falkland War, as well as being all over the world, and was now retired and spent 6 days a week out on his bike. He apparently did his housework on the 7th day!! We then went back up the canal path all the way out to Ratho, had a coffee at the Bridge Inn there before returning to Edinburgh and going back to the car via the Water of Leith again.