The End...at last

Saw The fringe freeloaders Visitor off. Haste ye back.* (after lovely lunch)

later I was surprised to take my seat at Richard Dawkins and discover I was only one person away from Mr & Mrs W Pig (apologies all you non- Edinburgh blippers, you must think that all us Edinburgh blippers are just constantly bumping into each other. Actually, that is what happens). I was rather excited that the chap beside me was scribbling in a moleskin notebook as I assumed that he may be one of those Creationist Type People. However, try as I might, I couldn't read his notes in the gloom, and sadly he (nor any other mad Creationist Type People) asked any stupid questions in the Q&A session.

Despite not knowing too much about Richard Holloway we had tickets for his event too. Well once a preacher, always a preacher it would seem. On the very few occasions that I have been unlucky enough to have to go to church (weddings and funerals, when absence would not be appropriate) I have always been amazed at just how dull and banal the preaching is; regardless of what branch of the church franchise they belong to.

I actually have no idea what he was on about. Granted, he can talk without much referring to notes. He also seemed to be able to quote quite a lot of poetry and prose. (Although for all I know he may have made it up, although the vigorous nodding of the earnest couple in front of me would indicate that they knew these quotes.) And considering his age, it's very good that he can stand for 30 minutes (members of my family, younger than him can't manage more than 5 minutes without needing a seat)

And the Q&A at the end didn't really enlighten me as to what he'd been on about. Most of the questioners just seemed to stick their hands up so they'd get a chance to tell him how great he is......Hmmm

A disappointing end. But almost everything else has been great.

And we ended the evening in two very very different pubs.

I spotted this bloke's shoes at the next table, and they were so ridiculously pointy, shiny and huge that I had to blip them (and actually that was about the only thing I took a pic of today)