Edinburgh Fringe, here I come

I've sellotaped tidy versions of the music together and sorted out the running order and even printed programmes - and now I'm trying to cram everything into the car ready for the drive north. I've put the programme on the programme page so if you'd like to see what I'll be playing, click on the tab at the top of the page. What have I forgotten... ? Nothing, I hope. The leaflets and posters are sorted, the rehearsal slot is sorted, I don't have a tech run... (I don't have any tech, even, -  my act is  low maintenance). I always feel so excited by the prospect of Edinburgh. If you're going to be up there too, come and see the show. I've been looking at all the things that are on and choosing what to go and see and this one's a definite: Mixed Doubles with the wonderful Rose Robinson at Just The Tonic at The Caves - which is a very cool venue. It's apparently really funny. My must-see show however is Inspector Norse by LipService Theatre; the inimitable and unique and sidesplittingly funny, Sue Ryding and Maggie Fox at Assembly George Square.  Music-wise there are lots of amazing people to choose from. The awesome guitarist Claude Bourbon is on at The Acoustic Music Centre and if they're not sold out I'm hoping to go and see him. Likewise the amazing Antonio Forcione and his band who are on at Assembly George Square. Now - I must get back to my packing!

Pizza slices, cold beers, brownies, lemon drizzle cake and chilled rosé - the perfect classical guitar concert!

The scene at Wimborne St Giles as the concert draws to a close. The wine bottles are empty now; I've come back on for my encore and outside the midsummer evening is glowing. See that plate covered with foil? There were some homemade pizza slices left after the interval and people were stocking up with extra pieces to take home. I confess that there are two such plates in my dressing room (the back kitchen); one with pizza and the other with cake. It was a truly delightful concert experience. Allowing people to bring their own wine and beer is an inspired idea and selling delicious homemade snacks in the interval makes it into a real party. What a great place. That spectacular tapestry you can see on the wall behind me depicts the village, including the cows, black Labradors and hens. You see a bit more detail in the shot below.