Blog ≫ 2015 ≫ First day at Edinburgh Fringe
At last our long planned trip is here, for our tenth wedding anniversary no less! This was our gift to ourselves. I wasn't supposed to buy anything else was I?
Boys dropped at Mum and Dad's for a few days and we flew up from Southampton. I still don't like flying but an internal flight like this with none of the faffing is the best I can hope for. Short trip to Southampton Airport, no hanging about, straight on the plane and we're there really. We got the controversial tram into the city centre. It was being built when we were there last, and it is of no practical use to anyone who lives in the city but for us tourists who need to get from the airport to Princes Street it's just the job. And it has free wifi.
Didn't have much baggage with us but dropped it off at our hotel anyway, Premier Inn, nice friendly clean, predictable, reliable, recommended. Super friendly too.
Into town to see what's what, before finding dinner and most likely our first show of the trip Henning Wehn. We got our bearings, well kind of. Clare got hers and I mostly followed. Lots of it came back to me from last time but it would take me the rest of the trip to almost figure my way around. We had a look round the festivals-within-a-festival, the area around the Gilded Balloon with its own bars, and the Assembly equivalent and of course the Pleasance. This seems to be the place to lurk and look for celebs particularly, but basically they're around everywhere you look. You can't throw a flyer without hitting one. We had one drink here in their own craft beer bar, though I might be mixing up my timings.
Headed back to the Craft beer bar within the Gilded Balloon enclosure. I struggle with Scottish beer really, all served too cold for me and most of those I tasted were a bit bland or a bit creamy. Had some good ones, but not my first one at this bar. Clare found prosecco so she was happy. Browsed our armful of flyers and found an Italian for dinner, phoned ahead ready to eat before Henning.
Food at Rigatoni was excellent, it's a good rated Italian, especially for families. Felt a bit rushed there, they were limiting tables to an hour only because of the show being just across the road and everyone wanting dinner. It worked out fine for us, though maybe Clare missed a pudding. The focaccia with chilli was smashing, though not very focaccia like as I imagine it. We had time for a drink post dinner pre show. I did a little research on real ale but to be honest it was just a coincidence that we found one of the good real ale bars right here - The Southern Bar. Bit confusing, can't tell what is real ale and what is not, they have lots of choice. Yet again I picked one that I didn't love, can't quite remember what though. Only a half so nothing wasted! I'd go here again, even though they do have scrabble which Clare made me play. I had to make some concession, it's her anniversary too.
Henning was excellent, very funny. Venue The Queen's Hall was not ideal, uncomfortable seats up where we were and it got very very hot. Still the show made up. I met Henning after the show, there was not much queue so I thought I might as well and got me a picture:
After the show we probably had another drink, I wanted to squeeze in another show though Clare did not want a late one. Think we bumped into MJ Hibbett around this time too, he with Charlotte and his co-performer Steve, they were on their way for a curry.
It was '80s night at the Gilded Balloon so all shows were at '80s prices, only three quid. I chose Nathan Cassidy's Back To The Future II show - '80s, time travel, what's not to like? It's really about his broken relationship though, the Back To The Future bits are totally shoehorned in there. Clearly done because he had some BTTF merchandise / props to show off including the trainers and the jacket. This show was OK only. Funny in parts but more because I was trying to enjoy it than any genuine hilarity.
Lots of comedians around and about in the street at all times. Saw Dave Benson Phillips for the first time while heading in to that last show, his show was at the same venue (as we will see later). Can't remember who we also saw on the first day but I think Mark Steel, and I know Milton Jones at some point. Didn't go to either of their shows.
I found my way back to our hotel, result! Seems like only two shows on that first day, but a lovely dinner and hang about, quality time with the wife in a lovely city. Did not have time to miss the boys this day yet.
Back later with more write up...