Sunday 7 September 2014

Climbing, Currie, Clovie and the Clash - just another Saturday

Festival time at Clovie
Very busy but thoroughly enjoyable day yesterday. My first commitment was to visit the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) Family Fun Day at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena at Ratho. Basically, the idea is that the kids get taken off to go climbing or other activities, while parents get the chance to have a coffee and browse the information stalls set up by various organisations who provide services to deaf children and their families. I'm told that accessing relevant information is sometimes an issue so this was a great opportunity to get info and advice and possibly chat to other parents facing similar challenges. It seemed to be going very well.

Currie - going like a fair.....
Then off to the Currie Community Fair which has been resurrected by the new Currie Community Council, all of whom had put in a great deal of time and effort over the past few months to make the event possible. Well, the good folk of Currie rolled up in their hundreds and good day was had by all. 

I was delighted to do an hour or so on one of the gates and draw the raffle towards the end of the afternoon but not before nipping down to Clovenstone to visit the opening of the new community garden there as part of the Edible Edinburgh initiative. Great turn out from all ages, bumped into a few local activists and we exchanged some Yes/No banter. There was food and live music on the go as well as topping up the raised beds that will be cultivated in months to come.

Helped to clear up a bit at Currie, don't often spend my Saturday afternoons with a litter picker in my hand but it had to be done. 

Then it was off to the Citrus Club last night for a charity gig in aid of the Sick Kids Foundation. Three tribute bands played, David Bowie Sound and Vision were excellent, the Livi Clash Rockers were tremendous and the Underground Jam were outstanding. I slept well last night...

Monday 1 September 2014

post Festivals

King Creosote
The Edinburgh (summer) Festivals are over for another year and the city centre returns to normal, whatever that may be ! Didn't manage to get much time off but still saw a number of good shows and enjoyed the atmosphere. So, in no particular order of preference, many thanks to - Woody Guthrie, Roy Hattersley, Flagstaff, featuring David Clater, Raymond Mearns, King Creosote, Dean Friedman and James Bannon. Loads of stuff I wanted to see but didn't get the chance but, hey, that the nature of it. Roll on next year with flyers, pop up bars, pretentious students, confused tourists and entertainment overload.