Have unicycle will travel

After a morning of meeting I headed into town to St Andrew's House for a meeting of a sub group of the Whole Systems Approach workstrean looking at youth justice improvement.

Some interesting discussions both on an outcomes framework and on participation by young people.

I had then planned to head home to work from there but a colleague had been unable to make use of her ticket to the book festival to hear David Cannadine speak about his book on Margaret Thatcher. It was a thouroughly entertainng and informative presentation on one of the 20th century's leaders, whatever one's political views of her were.

The event was not until just before 7pm so I had time to soak up some of the buzz of Edinburgh in Festival time. The crowds! The leafleting! The performers!

Everywhere you looked people were milling about. And many coming up from the station with suitcases. This individual also had a huge unicycle but I understood why he was not riding it given he was dragging his case - and the Mound is rather steep.

There was a continental feel to the place and Cockburn Street - see extra - was full of pavement cafe seating.

I also liked the "statue" in the middle of the High Street - see other extra - surrounded by crowds but with the impression of speed!