Edinburgh diary Weds 4th Aug

Got up and had Manera's famous Ham and eggs. Although the ham was pre cooked and I had to cook the eggs. But it was a good start to the day. On the way to helping out at The Hive Manera couldn't help himself and popped onto a vintage clothes shop to buy a jacket. This place was fantastic. It had everything you could possibly need. Even I did a bit of shopping. I noticed on Yianni's facebook wall that he'd forgotten to bring a jacket. And that's where I found a damn fine leather jacket. Best of all Manera was with me and once he told me it was cool, then I knew it was da bomb. It was also only twenty five quid. We talked about how much a jacket like that would cost. So we went to the counter and guesss what? There was a half price sale on leather jackets just for that week. So I got this cool leather jacket for twelve pound fifty.

I proudly wore my new leather jacket down the street, but not for long because I got really hot. We go to The Hive to help out but our shopping trip made us so late that it was almost done. Damn fine venue I have to say. Really fantastic. It's the space I'll eventually if I can get around to it put on a Cbekhov play before I die.

We then went to the Meadow Bar and I set up the sound system. I couldn't work ou how I couldn't get any sound out of it. I pride myself on being able to put together most sound systems and get them working wihout a manual. After much gnashing of teeth and burning of witches and pulling of cables we discovered that the main wire had been cut. So we replaced that, packed away an extraordinary amount of geeky games including Doom the Board Game? The venue was done. I hung around wih Alex, Manera, Willis and had a few beers and a bit of food. Got to meet the very lovely Simon who makes a good addition to the team of wastrels that we are.

Popped home for a bit of a scrub, well the others did, I just stayed smelly and then headed down to The Counting House for the launch party. I was greeted by some lovely ladies with some lovely free fruit cider. Got to finally meet Tricity Vogue and Sarah Louise Young who I did the promo videos for. Both as charming as expected. And then got chatting to the usual scum on the comedy circuit. Speaking of Jem Brookes, the lazy bastard wanted to know if he could have my extra cider rather than getting off his fat arse and getting another free one only two yards away.

The launch party went well. Coppin did a good job as MC. Not as easy as it looks in front of mainly other performers. It was incredibly full and hot so I didn't catch everyone but I particularly liked Bob Slayer, Louise and Tricity. Of course the small bit Manera and I did was fabulous.

Ended the night getting thrown out of The Counting House and heading to The Meadow Bar. Well it didn't quite end there, on the way back we stopped off for a final few nightcaps at The Cukoo's Nest. Which I have to say is an absolute great place to have on your doorstep. So far so good.

Edinburgh diary Tued 2nd Aug

Haven't really started yet but have had a great time so far. Did Saint Albans last night. I love that gig. Full of lovely middleclass intelligent people that just want to have a laugh midweek. Some of them spoke to me in the interval and I mentioned acts that I'd seen. They looked shocked and said they couldn't imagine being rude to an act that wasn't doing well. They'd just chuckle at appropriate moments.

Well all in all everyone did well. Not just because they were a forgiving crowd but because they were great acts. Lewis Bryan did a stunning job opening and Don Biswas was just amazing. He's going to be really big. All in all an excellent show. Hal Crutenden did amazin and was worried he hadn't quite done well enough. Bloody perfectionists.

I got back to Coppin's in about forty minutes. However the plan to stay at his in order to get more sleep was scuppered by two bottles of wine, a pizza and finding more and more ludicrous Wesley Willis songs on YouTube. I think The Chicken Cow wins hands down.

I got to bed around 2am and was woken up at 6am. More training for the featival. We managed to cram the car with our stuff and I managed to cram Nik's massive easel onto the back of my car (matron). We picked Manera from Finsbury Park station and once we'd finished playing tetris with the bags we were off.

The journey was a lot of fun. Once I got off the M1 the scenery was gorgeous. We also found he best ever service station that also had a farm shop. About 100 miles from Edinburgh. There was a lake with ducks and an outside huylt that sold good quality burgers from meat from a nearby farm. I couldn't believe how nice they tasted. Real gourmet style. I also couldn't believe that people would walk by and go straight To the Burger King inside. Apparently these Re known as Kit Kat and Nescafe people. Mamera told me that's how Lucy describes them. Yes I'm a snob and I don't give a shit.

Well considering we stopped for two long breaks the journey only took eight and a half hours. I met Doug at he flat and we were off. The flat was as lovely as I remembered it from before. We popped around the corner to grab a few things and the manky supermarket from last time had turned into a lovely Co Op.

We met up with Mr Petty in The Three Sisters. I knew practically every poster on the wall due to doing the DVD pro o for most of the shows. The outside area is like The Pleasance Courtyard. And the DVD isn't just going to be played on Big screens, it's also going to be projected on the wall. I can't wIt to see it.

Next we went to the City Cafe. My first proper look at my venue. I completely love it. It's in an amazing location and it's perfect for both shows. Very happy.

We finished the evening off by having a meal where they serve the steaks on a red hot slate. Then drinks in The Beehive and then a final few in The Cukoo's Nest across the road from he flat. Which is yet another great find. Got to bed Bout 1am. Didn't realise how tired I was. I was asleep before my head hit the pillow. I must be in a happy relaxed mood. I didn't even mind Coppin singing Wesley Willis songs all day.

Rock over London. Rock on Edinburgh. Wheaties. Breakfast of champions.

Pre Edinburgh stuff

Blog
Well over the last few days I've done a ton of driving, loads of kids shows and loads of gigs. I suppose this is good preparation for edinbugh. The gigs were lovely. Leeds Big Night Out was challenging, but I must have done well and had the crowd chanting for me to do more. Not bad when you're the compere.

I managed to get one day off in Tuxford and the surrounding areas where I enjoyed the meanderings of village life. Pub lunch, brass band in the park, a swim and a good read of The Observer Magazine.  Stewart Lee's article was lovely. It brought back good memories of scouring news agents looking for Marvel and DC Comics to complete my collections.

Still I had to get some work done and spoke to Manera and Coppin about our travel plans. Manera had to do his whole conversation like a cheap spy novel and Coppin's main topic was how big his easel was. And no, that isn't a euphemism. Why can't I have normal friend? I suppose they talk about me the same way.

There hasn't been much to report recently due to the fact that I've spent nearly a week in a dark room hunched over editing The Three Sisters Free Frestival DVD.  I've put them plus a few that have already been done in advance here. www.YouTube.com/freefestivalfringe I've added promos for my own shows. No point in not getting something out of it.

I shall technically be starting my epolic journey a little early. I leave to go to St. Albans, then come back and crash at Coppin's stinking abode. It'll save an hour of the journey and Coppin won't get in trouble for dragging his big easel across town. I'm slightly worried to be faced with a piece of scaffolding when we finally get to pack the car.

Just finished watching Nowhere Boy. Loved it. Can't wait for the next one.