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Derran's "Our Companion Knights' Places Of Peaceful Rest" Manor generated a great deal of interest and drew a fantastic crowd of Knights and guests: Terry, Colin, Mary, Martin, Dave, Carol, Rob, Anne, Helen, Phil, Ali, Helene, Steve and eventually Neil. It also concocted many pseudonyms: Deid Knights Manor, Derran’s Dead Cape Manor, Graverobber Manor, Paths of the Dead; Only the Dead Shall Be Suffered to Pass; The Way is Shut, etc., as well as attracting the attention of Matt, a volunteer with The Real Mary King's Close tour and the tour's Fergusson player. Matt, who discovered Derran's graveyard tour published on the Cape website and just decided to rock-up, was a very welcome addition, sharing his knowledge of Fergusson and Auld Reikie.

Having collected guests and Knights from the west-end establishment of H.P. Mather, the Grosvenor and beneath Binn's clock, the company made for the churchyard of St Cuthbert's. Here, Derran found graves or memorials to Cape Club members Henry Raeburn (Sir Discovery) and Alexander Nasmyth (Sir Thumb) and imparted a little about each of their lives. There was plenty of 'chipping-in' going on with everyone keen to know more and also share their own insights on both painters. Derran also gave each cold Knight a little whisky to honour their memory and contributions to the Cape Club. Thankfully, gaia was smiling on the day which kept Knights and guests dry as they made their way through Castle Terrace car park, in the direction of The Blue Blazer (2) Fortunately, most of the back area of the pub was free and all Knights and guests managed to find seats. The first tavern-stop of the day gave some Knights and guests an opportunity to debate Grand National runners and determine how they were going to put a bet on. Unfortunately, this also led the loss of Phil who mistook the next stop (Greyfriar's Kirkyard) for Greyfriar's Bobby (the pub) and never rejoined the company after leaving to find a bookie's. The remainder of the company were enlightened on the lives of James Craig, Cape Club member, Walter Ruddiman (Sir Mill Dam) and old Cape Society favourite William McGonagall before another welcome stop at a watering hole, this time, Doctors. The penultimate graveyard was The Orthodox Chapel of St Andrew, originally St. Cuthbert's Chapel of Ease aka Buccleuch Parish Church, where we were joined by Helene. Among many tales this churchyard had to tell were those of Cape Club members David Herd (Sir Scrape) and William Brodie (Sir Lluyd), and the nephew of Charles Darwin. Another libation at The Pear Tree where, unfortunately, Matt had to say, "Farewell", preceded a twilight wander to the Canongate Kirkyard to the well-known final resting place of Robert Fergusson (Sir Precentor) and less well-known but equally Cape-ish Alexander Runciman (Sir Brimstone). Here Neil joined in the final frollicks. The final resting place for those who remained was the Tolbooth Tavern where a few sojourns at the chippy over the road were enjoyed. This more or less concluded an excellent Manor although, hungry for more, the following day, Derran, visited St John's in order to finally find the 'real' final resting place of Raeburn.

Nothing to do with The Cape guv.

Thanks to everyone (16 over the course of the day) who came grave-trotting and especially Derran for researching and conducting one of the best Manors The Cape Society has enjoyed in recent years.

Oddballs
Nasmyth
Christened
Sir Mill Dam
Lifting Walter
Large Electric Model Race Car
Andrew Duncan
Latin for Chocolate
Turtles from Ednam
Depart in Harmony... Order Knights!
Danny Boy Reviews the Situation