Words

Came across these wonderful words – a George MacKay Brown poem ‘Beachcomber’ illustrated by artist Astrid Jackel, her hand-cut paper design lasered into steel panes, quite beautiful. They cover the disused windows of the old telephone exchange on Rose Street, Edinburgh. Well worth a look if you are passing.

And it had to be words, as we have had a day trip to Edinburgh to the Book Festival. I had forgotten how good this part of the main Festival is, as I hadn’t been for a while. I went to listen to a discussion between two authors – Garth Greenwell and Eimear McBride, which was excellent. Then in the evening we both went to the prize giving for the James Tait Black literary awards – for fiction and biography. This was an engrossing and very professionally managed event, which we both enjoyed immensely.
 
In between we managed a concert of Scottish and French songs, a late lunch at Fishers in the City, which is fast becoming our favourite place to eat in Edinburgh, and a wander round other Festival events. A good day, despite it being only a flying visit. Shame about the rain, but we are getting used to having rain accompany us wherever we go.
 
Today our daughter was 40 – unbelievable! And she is currently in a place that could do with some rain.