Hi peeps! It’s the first full weekend in June, so that means it’s Meadows Festival time, but this year I’m going leave off going until tomorrow. There’s heavy downpours out there, you know, already been caught in two just going to the Farmers Market, thank heavens for my oversized brolly! When I’ve finished this I’m going to pop along to Whistlebinkies where Jed Potts and Nicole Smit will be starting the afternoon set soon. There’s lots of music going on down in Leith for the Leith Jazz & Blues Festival this weekend; indeed, the Scat Rats are playing some place called The Volley at four o’clock today and tomorrow (I have no idea where it is, besides in Leith), I may pop down tomorrow, make that, most likely will pop along.
If I’d just gotten up when I first woke, around nine, I could have been home before the first deluge, but, well. So glad to get some eggs (never buy them from supermarkets these days), also some chicken thighs and honey from Brewsters, then across to Annanwater to see what they had left, oo, cutlets (exquisitely tasty) and two small frozen packs of liver (very handy as one pack is perfect for a solo meal, and it will defrost very quickly in a bowl of water). A chap behind me asked if I was queuing for a mutton pie like himself (they are exceedingly popular), oh no, I was holding off for scallops from Creelers for my lunch; as so often happens, that prompted a follow-up question of how I cook them, in butter first, then add a slosh of dry white wine, a little salt and black pepper, some frozen chopped parsley, finally double cream. Bloody marvellous if I do say so myself!
Oh, and a slice of bread of butter with a glass of the wine. He said he’d be round at twelve! Haha. Scallops in bag, last port of call was Thistle and Churn for another fine ice cream, this week’s was a Clootie Dumpling, with some actual clootie dumpling as part of the garnish!
I think partly the reason why I’m not fussed about getting to the Meadows Festival is that I’ve already had a big flea market fix just last week in Brussels, oh my god, it was so wonderful to gaze on it all! If you enjoy a good rummage and you’re ever in Brussels, head to Place du Jeu de Balle, and of course, being away means you can’t actually buy that ridiculous wotsit, ’cause how would you get it home?!
Yes, that is a pogo stick! ~~~~~ Some might call it junk ~~~~~~ I was tempted!
Similarly, I feel like my Fringe started early this year, not only did I treat myself to seeing Grubby Little Mitts performing Eyes Closed, Mouths Open when I was in London, but back four weeks ago I went to see John-Luke Roberts: It Is Better + Best Of at the Monkey Barrel. Honestly, I’m not quite sure what month it is, Meadows Fair, so it’s June. Yes, I have picked up copies of the Fringe programme, yes, I’ve done an extra quick sweep of comedy and theatre, and yes, I’ve bought my first eight tickets! I’m somewhat disgruntled that the box office has now upped the maximum booking fees for one purchase from £5 to £7.50, grrrr (yes, I know it’s not much to quibble over but it irks me). My purchases? A few previews, the new one from Batisfera, thought I should get in quick as Luke Rollason is only doing a few dates, and a ticket for Troy Hawke who is usually rather expensive but yay, he’s doing a WIP this year (been loving his stuff on Instagram).
More later, right now, there’s two rather talented musicians making sweet sounds, that I need to see. Toodle oo!
Bruce on the Fringe 