The morning was spent packing and clearing the flat as we had to be out by 10am.
Of the group I was in three of us decided to walk to the station to leave our luggage at left luggage. The others chose to catch a taxi......we got there first !!!
My plan was to then look at the craft stalls but many of them were closed, so I had a walk through the park and a slow walk to the Pleasance courtyard before meeting friends for a show over lunch called The Wedding Reception. The Pleasance courtyard was very quiet, probably due to most folk leaving.
The show was great fun and quite immersive. The lunch was mediocre but filled me up.
I'm now on the train sitting writing this in first class having just eaten my egg sandwiches, crisps and Victoria sponge. I feel stuffed........
Only three more hours and I'll be home and the week holiday at the Edinburgh fringe is over.
It has been a mixed week. I have to admit I was 'showed' out by the end of Thursday and missing my home. I've had a chance to live, love and laugh most days but also had time to reflect particularly about so called friendships - I think it's time for me to rethink some of them .......
Saturday, 15 August 2015
Day 7 - Friday
Another day with not much planned and miserable wet weather. I suppose the only day so far it has been so wet. I tried to book a couple of shows but they were full, so was lucky that my friend got a free ticket to see John Lloyds curious Edinburgh in the BBC tent. I had another chilled morning and then went to see if my ticket from Sunday had been refunded - it had :-)
As the BBC ticket had to be checked in advance I went to the BBC area earlier and then sat in the pink tent to keep dry and was planning on reading my book. While waiting for my friend to come out of a writing masterclass. I got chatting with a young man from East London who mainly had come for the comedy.
The show was very good with four comedians doing a short stand up and John Lloyd plus a guy he works with and whose name I can't remember talked about a variety of things. Certainly worth going to but would have been better earlier in the week as I would have probably gone to two of the shows but no longer had time to.
As I hadn't eaten since breakfast and it now was nearly 3:30pm I popped to Tesco bought some pasta and pesto and went back to the flat to make a pasta dish. I also bough cake - I shouldn't have as I ended up pigging out on it...... I've definitely over eaten this week. The diet starts again on Sunday!!
A number of us had tickets for a last night show called Velvet by La Clique at the Spiegeltent . This was a variety show of acrobatics, burlesque, singing and dancing. It was a fun show for a last night and the young guy in his black leathers.......well........ The lady who stripped down to knickers and just bits on her nipples didn't have the usual skinny body - I wish I could have the same confidence she had with my body.
I decided after the show to go back to the flat, pack a little and go to bed. Was feeling a little low, not sure why but really wanted to be alone.
About 5 miles walked today.
LIVE : seeing a stripper
LOVE :
LAUGH : the comedians on John Lloyds show
As the BBC ticket had to be checked in advance I went to the BBC area earlier and then sat in the pink tent to keep dry and was planning on reading my book. While waiting for my friend to come out of a writing masterclass. I got chatting with a young man from East London who mainly had come for the comedy.
The show was very good with four comedians doing a short stand up and John Lloyd plus a guy he works with and whose name I can't remember talked about a variety of things. Certainly worth going to but would have been better earlier in the week as I would have probably gone to two of the shows but no longer had time to.
As I hadn't eaten since breakfast and it now was nearly 3:30pm I popped to Tesco bought some pasta and pesto and went back to the flat to make a pasta dish. I also bough cake - I shouldn't have as I ended up pigging out on it...... I've definitely over eaten this week. The diet starts again on Sunday!!
A number of us had tickets for a last night show called Velvet by La Clique at the Spiegeltent . This was a variety show of acrobatics, burlesque, singing and dancing. It was a fun show for a last night and the young guy in his black leathers.......well........ The lady who stripped down to knickers and just bits on her nipples didn't have the usual skinny body - I wish I could have the same confidence she had with my body.
I decided after the show to go back to the flat, pack a little and go to bed. Was feeling a little low, not sure why but really wanted to be alone.
About 5 miles walked today.
LIVE : seeing a stripper
LOVE :
LAUGH : the comedians on John Lloyds show
Day 6 - Thursday
A beautiful sunny day today. So I decided I would have a less busy day and spend some time outside eating my book - didn't happen! I did however have a lie in and chilled morning.
The first show was Robin Ince's Reality Tunnel but a but of a walk away, so met with a friend for a slow stroll over. As we got there early we had a cuppa first.
Robin Ince was very good - interesting and funny. I think he is a comedian I could follow more. He was signing two of his books so I bought one and had a quick chat with him when he signed it. Lovely man.
We then walked back to find a free fringe show without any success and so just ended up having lunch before walking back to the flat. As we were going to a BBC show later and needed the tickets verified I decided to go the the BBC area to sit and read a bit earlier. When I got there folk had started to gather for the live episode of The One Show. So I stood for an hour right behind the presenters, read my book, took some photos and managed to be on TV ( looking rather scruffy!) . It was interesting watching the way they recorded outside.
One of my friends coming to join me at the show arrived and we sat and chatted until the show.
It turned out to be a music show Late Junction. It was a real mixed bag - a lady on an auto (?) harp singing haunting songs the last about a mermaid was a bit weird. A Hungarian pianist who really felt his music but it was a touch boring.... A Japanese group whose last song with three of them was better of the three songs. They seemed like charming folk, but not really my thing. Then a guy on a huge marimba which might sound great as part of an orchestra but didn't work for me. The two tubular bells guys did their opening and closing tunes and were fab as were a trio playing the music of Mike Voss. I shall probably buy his album.
So the chilled day turned out to be quite full in the end. 6 miles walked today.
LIVE : watching the recording of The One Show
LOVE : the music of Mike Voss
LAUGH : Robin Ince
The first show was Robin Ince's Reality Tunnel but a but of a walk away, so met with a friend for a slow stroll over. As we got there early we had a cuppa first.
Robin Ince was very good - interesting and funny. I think he is a comedian I could follow more. He was signing two of his books so I bought one and had a quick chat with him when he signed it. Lovely man.
We then walked back to find a free fringe show without any success and so just ended up having lunch before walking back to the flat. As we were going to a BBC show later and needed the tickets verified I decided to go the the BBC area to sit and read a bit earlier. When I got there folk had started to gather for the live episode of The One Show. So I stood for an hour right behind the presenters, read my book, took some photos and managed to be on TV ( looking rather scruffy!) . It was interesting watching the way they recorded outside.
One of my friends coming to join me at the show arrived and we sat and chatted until the show.
It turned out to be a music show Late Junction. It was a real mixed bag - a lady on an auto (?) harp singing haunting songs the last about a mermaid was a bit weird. A Hungarian pianist who really felt his music but it was a touch boring.... A Japanese group whose last song with three of them was better of the three songs. They seemed like charming folk, but not really my thing. Then a guy on a huge marimba which might sound great as part of an orchestra but didn't work for me. The two tubular bells guys did their opening and closing tunes and were fab as were a trio playing the music of Mike Voss. I shall probably buy his album.
So the chilled day turned out to be quite full in the end. 6 miles walked today.
LIVE : watching the recording of The One Show
LOVE : the music of Mike Voss
LAUGH : Robin Ince
Day 5 - Wednesday
An early start this morning to walk up Arthur's Seat. I managed it up and down again in just over two hours walking from our flat. Sadly the others who planned to join me decided not to apart from one friend who despite having a fear for heights came along. She tried but had to go back - but qudos to her for trying.
I didn't plan many shows today so booked some last minute.
The shows started with a radio show called FUBAR radio. This was a chat show with a comedian host and four comedian guests. The host was Joey Page and guests Ian Smith, Lloyd Griffith, Nick Coyle and Tom Parry. It was very funny and should be available on podcast to listen to. I went as I was interested in seeing another radio station do their stuff.
I chose to try a play called Boxed In about gender inequality. It was based on real information from interviews with men and women. It really gave food for thought especially regarding all the toys and ways girls and boys are treated when little.
I then popped over to hear Gyles Brandreth: Word Power! All about words and how they can be used badly. He had an example from an American paper where a man had a text from a friend which suggested he had been having an affair with his wife, so he shot his wife. And then he had a follow on text apologising for the autocorrect........ Another re the sub titles on the BBC and how they sometimes are incorrect. I was tempted with his book as I love books but I have so many to read at the moment! I have to admit when I looked around the audience most of them were older than me.....
After having a drink with friends I saw a play that one of my friends uncle was in called Down & Out in Paris and London. All about George Orwell in Paris with no money and Polly Tonybe living on benefits to research a book. Some of the facts that came out were shocking ! Again another great play.
At the last minute I went with friends to the Deadly Dungeon Murder Mystery at the Edinburgh Dungeons. This was based around a murder with clues we had to work through whilst going through the dungeons. It included the hangman so drop at the end. All the way around I kept saying why was I doing this! But it was fun :-)
So a busy day in the end .... 9 miles walked today
LIVE : Walking up to the top of Arthur's Seat
LOVE : Hmmm........struggling today - the views and being outdoors
LAUGH : probably Gyles Brandreth
I didn't plan many shows today so booked some last minute.
The shows started with a radio show called FUBAR radio. This was a chat show with a comedian host and four comedian guests. The host was Joey Page and guests Ian Smith, Lloyd Griffith, Nick Coyle and Tom Parry. It was very funny and should be available on podcast to listen to. I went as I was interested in seeing another radio station do their stuff.
I chose to try a play called Boxed In about gender inequality. It was based on real information from interviews with men and women. It really gave food for thought especially regarding all the toys and ways girls and boys are treated when little.
I then popped over to hear Gyles Brandreth: Word Power! All about words and how they can be used badly. He had an example from an American paper where a man had a text from a friend which suggested he had been having an affair with his wife, so he shot his wife. And then he had a follow on text apologising for the autocorrect........ Another re the sub titles on the BBC and how they sometimes are incorrect. I was tempted with his book as I love books but I have so many to read at the moment! I have to admit when I looked around the audience most of them were older than me.....
After having a drink with friends I saw a play that one of my friends uncle was in called Down & Out in Paris and London. All about George Orwell in Paris with no money and Polly Tonybe living on benefits to research a book. Some of the facts that came out were shocking ! Again another great play.
At the last minute I went with friends to the Deadly Dungeon Murder Mystery at the Edinburgh Dungeons. This was based around a murder with clues we had to work through whilst going through the dungeons. It included the hangman so drop at the end. All the way around I kept saying why was I doing this! But it was fun :-)
So a busy day in the end .... 9 miles walked today
LIVE : Walking up to the top of Arthur's Seat
LOVE : Hmmm........struggling today - the views and being outdoors
LAUGH : probably Gyles Brandreth
Tuesday, 11 August 2015
Day 4 - Tuesday
A busy day today with leaving at 10:30am and not getting back till midnight. Lots of walking clocking up another seven miles 😃
The day started off with meeting a friend I hadn't seen in four years. We had a great chat and a yummy ice cream at Mary's Ice Cream Parlour. The flavours were amazing: salted caramel, raspberry ripple, earl grey and citrus and Rose. Rose was lovely.
I then took the opportunity before my first show to walk down the Royal mile and see some of the street acts. This included a david tenant lookalike acrobat and also a chap on the guitar free styling with a saxophonist.
The first show was an improv show called the noise next door. They were brilliant - I quite fancy their evening show too, so am considering getting tickets for that.
I then had a mile and a half walk to the Spiegletent to see Sunshine on Leith. I took the opportunity to grab a bean burger with some salad. Sunshine on Leith was very good too. I don't know if those playing the parts were Scottish or not, but if not their accents were very good. I'm assuming that it was an amateur group as the principles were excellent but some of the ensemble looked a little bored.
As I had two and a half hours spare until the next show I thought I'd go to a free show called Totes Inappropes. There was only five of us in the audience and whilst the actresses were very nice, the show was very odd. Not my cup of tea.....
Finally I saw Ushers the front of house musical which was excellent. This was a show in London, playing for the whole fringe. Very funny and clever dialogue.
Another one and a half mile walk back and now I'm in bed writing this.
Live - having a decedant knickerbockglory with four scoops of delicious ice cream
Love - meeting with my friend and having a good chat: bonus walking another seven miles !
Laugh - The noise next door improv show
Day 3 - Monday
Today was a real day of contrast as the shows I had booked didn't start till four I arranged to meet with a friend who lives in Edinburgh at 2:30pm. I knew once I was out I wouldn't get back till late so decided to cook some lunch. Anyhow the mushrooms I was cooking set off the fire alarm for the whole place and automatically called the fire brigade. I was so embarrassed - and the mushrooms were not even burnt nor was the pot! The smoke detector was so sensitive.......plus someone had unbeknown to me propped up the door to the kitchen which was a fire door and supposed to be closed when cooking. After the firemen had left there was a knock on the door from the blocks caretaker to check all was ok and then the Premises manager also shouted up to check all was ok. It was nice to know they cared but I was very embarrassed. I ended up with a salad sandwich.
My friend got delayed so we only got about 45 mins together but it was great catching up :-)
The shows I saw were Tubular bells the whole album played by two guys on 20 instruments. They were awesome. This was followed by a long walk about a mile and a half to see Shout the mod musical. That was fantastic....six brilliant actresses. Another mile and a half walk back to see Reginald D Hunter whom I've seen on TV but not live before. He was not surprisingly very good.
The final show was Baby Loves Candy an improvised musical. I had heard lots of good things about the company but was very disappointed. The subject matter was American politics and to be honest I didn't think the improvisation or singing was particularly good.
I went back after that rather than have a drink as I was tired and needed an earlier night.
So for today....
Live - not so positive but setting the firm alarms off - a first for me......
Love - Meeting with my friend for a chat, Shout the mod musical and walking 7 miles
Laugh - Shout the mod musical again as it was sooooooo good
My friend got delayed so we only got about 45 mins together but it was great catching up :-)
The shows I saw were Tubular bells the whole album played by two guys on 20 instruments. They were awesome. This was followed by a long walk about a mile and a half to see Shout the mod musical. That was fantastic....six brilliant actresses. Another mile and a half walk back to see Reginald D Hunter whom I've seen on TV but not live before. He was not surprisingly very good.
The final show was Baby Loves Candy an improvised musical. I had heard lots of good things about the company but was very disappointed. The subject matter was American politics and to be honest I didn't think the improvisation or singing was particularly good.
I went back after that rather than have a drink as I was tired and needed an earlier night.
So for today....
Live - not so positive but setting the firm alarms off - a first for me......
Love - Meeting with my friend for a chat, Shout the mod musical and walking 7 miles
Laugh - Shout the mod musical again as it was sooooooo good
Sunday, 9 August 2015
Day 2 - Sunday
Gosh, I can't believe I am writing this at 2:30am.....Especially as I didn't get a good nights sleep. The bed is not brilliant and the one pillow is so flat it's not worth having!! This morning started out quite chilled with a lazy breakfast and then a walk out to the royal mile, which was not unsurprisingly very busy but full of colour and life.
2pm was supposed to be Guru Dudu's silent disco walking tour, but me and about another six people waited and waited at the venue and he didn't turn up. We eventually saw him and a load of people in full flow. It turned out that they started elsewhere ( not where is said on the map!). Anyhow we've been promised a refund but I'm not hopeful! I took the opportunity to get myself something to eat from a little market area and found a Kenyan sweet potato Rossi with goats cheese. It was yummy :-) and I treated myself to a magnum as it had got quite warm.
From that I went to see comedy in the dark which was different. The guy comparing it Joel dommett was very good but the others were okish. Dinner back at the flat was a salad with sausages. We tried to go and see Joel in his own show but couldn't get in so went for a drink and bought tickets for Vampire Cabaret.
Vampire Cabaret was actually quite enjoyable and fun with three sassy girls and a chap doing a cabaret as vampires, some good songs and dancing.
The Room ( a cult bad movie) was the last thing on the list. It was unbelievable ! Sooooo bad in lots of ways. It was fun to see how the audience responded to things in the film, shouting things out and throwing plastic spoons everytime a picture of a spoon was seen in the shot - yes there was a photo of a spoon in the film which was frequently in shot.......
Live - I tried the Kenyan Rosti and had a Magnam ice cream
Love - the friends I hung out with today and the fact I walk over 9 miles
Laugh - Joel Dommett and vampire cabaret
2pm was supposed to be Guru Dudu's silent disco walking tour, but me and about another six people waited and waited at the venue and he didn't turn up. We eventually saw him and a load of people in full flow. It turned out that they started elsewhere ( not where is said on the map!). Anyhow we've been promised a refund but I'm not hopeful! I took the opportunity to get myself something to eat from a little market area and found a Kenyan sweet potato Rossi with goats cheese. It was yummy :-) and I treated myself to a magnum as it had got quite warm.
From that I went to see comedy in the dark which was different. The guy comparing it Joel dommett was very good but the others were okish. Dinner back at the flat was a salad with sausages. We tried to go and see Joel in his own show but couldn't get in so went for a drink and bought tickets for Vampire Cabaret.
Vampire Cabaret was actually quite enjoyable and fun with three sassy girls and a chap doing a cabaret as vampires, some good songs and dancing.
The Room ( a cult bad movie) was the last thing on the list. It was unbelievable ! Sooooo bad in lots of ways. It was fun to see how the audience responded to things in the film, shouting things out and throwing plastic spoons everytime a picture of a spoon was seen in the shot - yes there was a photo of a spoon in the film which was frequently in shot.......
Live - I tried the Kenyan Rosti and had a Magnam ice cream
Love - the friends I hung out with today and the fact I walk over 9 miles
Laugh - Joel Dommett and vampire cabaret
Saturday, 8 August 2015
Day 1 - Saturday
A lovely relaxing journey travelling up first class on the train with friends. I helped a guy use his mobile phone to watch the ashes on and then discovered he was Barry Mason the songwriter of hit 60s and 70s songs such as Love Grows - he was so nice and we all had a great chat with him :-) he shared his email address with me and I gave him mine too.
Once in our uni lodgings we chilled for a bit and then went for some food - had a pizza and tried Sommersby Cider - oh dear it is rather nice. This was my first time drinking pints !! Back to our place for some wine and then off to see the show 'Showstoppers'. This is a group who improvise a musical based on the audience suggestions. I've seen them before and they were very good again.
Low down on the uni accommodation - one bathroom between five of us will be challenging, the toilet seat is broken, we only have cutlery and crockery for four but otherwise it is pretty good.
I'm writing this rather late its nearly 2am.....
So today :
Live - I tried cider in a pint glass
Love - meeting Barry Mason
Laugh - Showstoppers
Once in our uni lodgings we chilled for a bit and then went for some food - had a pizza and tried Sommersby Cider - oh dear it is rather nice. This was my first time drinking pints !! Back to our place for some wine and then off to see the show 'Showstoppers'. This is a group who improvise a musical based on the audience suggestions. I've seen them before and they were very good again.
Low down on the uni accommodation - one bathroom between five of us will be challenging, the toilet seat is broken, we only have cutlery and crockery for four but otherwise it is pretty good.
I'm writing this rather late its nearly 2am.....
So today :
Live - I tried cider in a pint glass
Love - meeting Barry Mason
Laugh - Showstoppers
Friday, 7 August 2015
The night before
I'm off to the Edinburgh fringe again this year. This will be the third time and this time for a full week. I'm travelling up by train in first class (lovely) and staying in uni accommodation (basic but reasonably priced). My challenge during this week is to Live, Love and Laugh so I come back refreshed having had fun 😃
So the packing has begun and I'm going to try and have an early night so I can get up early to finish the packing and get to the station in time to meet up with the group I am travelling with.
I've booked quite a few shows, a mix of comedy, variety, music and musicals. I'm also going to try a few of the free shows this time.
My bed calls .... More tomorrow....
So the packing has begun and I'm going to try and have an early night so I can get up early to finish the packing and get to the station in time to meet up with the group I am travelling with.
I've booked quite a few shows, a mix of comedy, variety, music and musicals. I'm also going to try a few of the free shows this time.
My bed calls .... More tomorrow....
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