Next stop was Edinburgh to visit Great Granny Gracie and Matt's cousins Robert and Thomas, and aunt Astrid and uncle Andrew.

We set off early and made a few stops for the kids, the first being Westmorland farm shop services. I'm told these are the only independently run services in the UK.

There's a cute duck pond outside, and inside was lovely. A cafe with trees that reach up the Walls and branches that cover the ceiling, bespeckled with fairy lights; a deli with everything from biltong to homebrewed cider; handmade soaps, incredible toys and the cutest rain macs covered in bugs; a book shop; a cook shop and so much more.

Unfortunately even a small wrap with hummus and veg was £5.35 though, so all we bought was some crisps.

Next stop was at Gretna Green getaway retail outlet. And this was much more lucrative. I loved it!

It's like Bicester village fifteen years ago. Not over crowded, lots of great shops, fantastic prices. The marks and Spencer outlet was huge, and everything just £5 - I bought quite a few items - and there's a great play area for the children.

Then we stopped for a drink and a snack at a Thornton's (yes, the chocolatier) cafe. It was delicious, and their millionaires shortbread was so rich, one piece easily satisfied our whole family.

Finally we made it up to Edinburgh and morningside (where Matts grandma lives) and Astrid had made us a lovely lasagne for lunch. William spent the afternoon playing with his cousins and the new Duplo set that his great granny had bought him and we all had a lovely time.

On the way home we drive through Edinburgh city centre l, which was so crowded with the festival on, but such a lovely atmosphere. We stopped to get a KFC only to find out that they'd run out of chicken, gravy, corn and beans(!) but it was made up for by the fact that I saw four falling stars on the journey home.

We got back very late, and have a party to attend the next day, so I hope the kids won't be too tired, but it was a lovely day.