The sun shone for almost the first full day in June in Edinburgh this year. Just over 100 parents, children and teachers braved the puddles along the canal and the mud on the Balerno Railway Path to travel over four miles from the school in central Edinburgh to Spylaw park at Colinton.

Led by parent David Hill and by marshals from the Royal High School, who enthusiastically blocked the traffic at road junctions, the ride went off without incident. Children as young as five, on their own bikes, managed a round trip of almost nine miles!

The Colinton tunnel was probably just a bit scary for some - and perhaps even the highlight of the day for others!

Still it was all worth it. Sun, picnic, and playpark. Plus a return ride that started with an exhilarating swoop downhill back to the Union Canal.

Comment from one father - "best family day out we've had for ages - thanks"

It was such fun it will now become an annual event!