All ended

So home again now. Its all done. I feel absolutely shattered and am only sitting in front of this blasted computer in order to bide the time whilst my washing is spinning around.

What a week. It was totally like being on holiday in some strange world, everywhere was open until 3 or 5am and that was pretty dangerous. I feel like I've put on a few pounds due to the wonderful breakfasts and suppers enjoyed at venue 45.

Highlight for me was probably Brendan Burns' set, closely followed by being in the same bar as Jim Bowen, of Bullseye fame. Thats the limit of how starstruck I get. Low point was probably having to leave this morning when I felt like complete crap and the thing I wanted to do the least was drive 430 miles down the London Road.

Having said that, the trip down the A1 was amazing, especially in the borders area - running so close to the sea with rolling hills inland. I really would love to go back up there again soon (though I'd have my reservations in going during the cold months!).

So I'll close this now. Thanks to anyone who bothered reading. You'll find my pics in a flickr set, happily named Edinburgh.

Tip top

S

Home soon

So i'm on a train to kingston after our mammoth drive. The a1 was great though, especially near the borders.

So now to a pile of washing and a good kip. Saturday night in never sounded so much fun.

EdinBlog out.

S

Big bridges

Big bridges
Originally uploaded by stevec77.

We're at north queensferry on the other side of the bridge. Lovely weather too after yesterday's gloom.



Last night we were in a bar with both jim bowen and jamie theakston... How often does that happen? Would have given jim a big kiss but we have a past. Would like to have hit mr smug but had beer to calm me down.



Tonight is the last night for us two, time for the venue 45 party too. Doesn't start until 1! Ouch.



S

Bad spank

Ok, sometimes you get a bad night. And unfortunately for us, spank! was having one of those nights.

The first half line up was good until mr 80s synth pop ironic bloke managed to clear half the room.

Crazy ginger bloke (i was too drunk to remember names) was top act, shame it was downhill from there.

Still good to check out another venue and we've now seen 12 acts so easier to be critical.

Spank!? We didn't love it too much last night. Then we had to walk around at 3.30am to find some food. Whatever it was it was no kebab...

S

Burns in scotland

Brendon burns never fails to make me laugh and tonight was no exception. A routine full of filth and heartfelt emotions had the audience in quiet contemplation followed by intense laughter. How that one kidney girl story is allowed to be told i'll never know.

K agrees he's a great storyteller and i feel good my recomendation was worth it.

Now some pub crawling before the unknown that is the Spank!

S

Spank!

Spank!
Originally uploaded by stevec77.

Our midnight jaunt this evening will be to see spank! Looks like it should be fun. 4 hours of fun n laughter.



Before that at 8.30 we're at pleasance dome for brendon burns.



This better be funny dammit! K is getting so excited he's unable to walk properly.



S

The Midweek Munchies

I'm grumpy because I'm hungry.

...Didn't see anything last night - had a semi quiet one, but I still ended up driving around in the back of a hippy sleeping cargo van thats been converted and has carpet lined walls and stuff.

Went to the cash and carry this morning with charlie pants. Got some of the ingredients for a meal I've been roped into preparing for the venue 45 staff on Thursday - Chicken Stir Fry "Kumail stylee." writing this is making me feel more bloody hungry.

After i've eaten, I'm gonna take a walk up the castle and stuff, but right now i'm goona sign off to eat!! see you in a bit!

K

Steve outside venue 45

Steve outside venue 45
Originally uploaded by stevec77.

Moi in a pose, outside our base

Late

Ten past 4 in the am and we've managed to watch some great comedy, including ed byrne... Oh and we met a bloke called brick. Scotland is a bit different it would seem.

S

Chuck and late nights

Not only are we now friends of charlie chuck we've also decided to spend the hours of 1 and 2 am at monday night live. This place never sleeps!

S

Pleasance

Pleasance
Originally uploaded by stevec77.

So we find ourselves sitting once again in the courtyard of flyers. Deliberating on numerous comic possibilities.



Soaking up the atmos, in no rush to make a rash decision on spending the pennies (which unlike the notes are propper money).



Pip pip

K

Morning

Morning
Originally uploaded by stevec77.

The view from the lounge, ie our room. Now for a wander...

Late night

It would seem this place never sleeps, even on a sunday... City cafe is packed and its gone my bedtime. Well its certainly better than closing at 1030. We made it anyway. Now to pick things for the week. Good sunday to you all.

s

Somewhere

Well 6 and we're at tebay services. What a view... Numerous stops and a dodgy petrol cap to live with but all is good.

S

It began in... Woodford

So we're at leyton about to have a mcmuffin ahead of the drive. God i love that sausage and egg goodness... And i love sleep too but no chance o that.

S

24 Little Hours

Only one day to go before the road trip. Have I prepared? Have I balls. Bombarded with recommendations of places to visit (including service stations!) that have nothing to do with the Festival itself I really wonder whether a week will be long enough! Of course my wallet will probably answer that question.

So anyway - a 450 mile trip awaits in around 24 hours which will no doubt leave myself and K in a wonderful cabin-fever type mode and you'll find bits of his body scattered around the north of England. Not that I'm a violent person - I just like the colour of blood.

Well I have absolutely nothing significant to say (not for the first time) so off I go to the land of coffee and bacon.

Toot toot

S

This will be the home of the EdinBlog '05

Pip pip all!

Welcome to the home of Steve 'n Kumail's EdinBlog '05!

On the 14th August we'll be heading off in K's Cinquecento for the nice and simple trip from Woodford to Edinburgh. We'll be there for a week taking in the sights and the sounds of the place. Maybe even the smells, though we won't be able to do much about that in blogging terms.

Anyway - hope someone will check this out, I'm sure some of you poor buggers will.

And in a miracle of science we'll also be smashing stuff up via our flickr accounts, hopefully direct to the blog, though if not - do check out:
www.flickr.com/photos/stevec77

Toodle pip

S