We hit John’s magic 10 shows by 5pm so as Team GB are doing so well in the Olympics he feels we should do the same and he’s now moved the goalposts and we’re busily planning more……as long as they’re free!
The morning started with breakfast at The Edinburgh Larder and, despite it being only 9am, we had to queue for a table. It was well worth it, ingredients are organic and the cafe is recognised for ‘slow food’, the cooked breakfast was fanatastic so back there tomorrow.
After breakfast it was a walk up to Edinburgh Castle. The Castle is amazing and it was interesting to see it up close after learning a smidgen of its history on yesterday’s tour. It seems a shame that the event seating created in the Castle approach obscures the impact. We thought it might be temporary for the Tattoo although it looked fairly permanent up close.
Writers Museum
Our first ‘show’ was The Book Lovers Tour, starting outside the Writers Museum, tucked round the back of The Royal Mile (which was heaving at 11am). We set off at a brisk pace to the Southside where tourists don’t go unless lost. Most literary figures were clustered around the Medical School and University. We saw the birthplace of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson, learned about the rivalry between Walter Scott and Mark Twain. Apparently Mark Twain blamed Scott for the American Civil War.
We wandered past the famous cafe where JK Rowling went to write the early chapters of Harry Potter.
Interestingly, we had stopped there for a cuppa yesterday and completely missed the plaque.
The next show felt like miles to walk but did provide our first glimpse of Arthur’s Seat. I’m not sure how we’d missed it before, it towers over the city! We definitely need to come back and be tourists rather than festival goers, there’s so much we haven’t got time to see. We’re here for the Festival so that’s what we’ll do!!
Our second show of the day was in yet another church hall and was a satirical comedy written by Tom Basden titled ‘Holes’ about four people stranded, on a desert island, after a plane crash. Cleverly done with very few props and quite entertaining.
A very brisk walk back to the Old Town for John Hunt at The Jazz Bar. John has been waiting for this all week, and it didn’t disappoint. John Hunt was fantastic, the cellar venue was packed and the only missing ingredient was the fug of cigarette smoke.
Our next booked show isn’t until 11pm tonight so John’s dozing in the apartment while I try and find something for us to do to keep us awake until then. The Edfringe app is brilliant at helping us to plan and get us to the venues.
Apologies for rubbish pictures, it seems rude to take them during performances in the venues and we keep forgetting to do ‘scenic’ which is a shame because the city is stunning.
braysabroad 