Tuesday 13th August 2024

Woke around 0900. Rolled slowly out of bed. Breakfasted with the girls in the kitchen/dining area. Ham, beef, chicken, mozzarella, toast, cheese, and a bowl of tea. Aki and I repaired to the cafe around the corner, whilst the girls headed into town to do the Art Gallery. We ambled into town around the south side of the castle rock, which took us up to Lawnmarket. Aki bought a couple of tartan lambs wool scarves. Wandered down to the Scott Monument, and across Prince's Street into the New Town. Stopped for a light lunch in St Andrew's Square...sat on a bench and shared a sandwich from a Costa kiosk. It began to rain a bit, so we made for Harvey Nicks...had a wander about, feeling the clothes, killing time until the first gig of the day, Simon Munnery at The Stand Comedy Club. Met the gals outside. The venue was packed, but we all managed to find a seat, though not together. 

Simon was his usual curious self...a very intelligent man who has refused to sell out, living half the year in a tent as he travels the world doing comedy festivals. He didn't disappoint. We then ambled back across town for an early dinner at Le Bistrot, off Lawnmarket. It's located in the Institute Francais. They sat us in an adjoining room at a table for six, which we had all to ourselves. The food was good...hearty French cuisine. It was then time to wander down to the Grassmarket for the next show, "The Passion of Andrea 2", at Dancebase. It was a strange dance trio, featuring three gawky, awkward men in naff wigs prancing about beneath gigantic filled bean bags hung from the ceiling. They had a nice comic rapport, but the piece ran out of steam toward the end. We adjourned to a nearby bar for a drink, sitting outside with a view of the castle. 

Then it was back to Dancebase to see three pieces by Australian wunderkind Lewis Major, and his four Australian dancers. They were superb, the dancers bodies and movements honed by exceptional lighting designs which produced a mesmerising hour's entertainment. Hope we get to see his work in London soon. We walked back to the apartment in ebullient mood, catching some of the fireworks above the castle as the evening's Tattoo came to an end...