Rope walking

I am fortunate to live a bus ride from Edinburgh and to be able to enjoy the buzz of the Fringe Festival yet escape home to the peace of my semirural home. This morning I joined the thousands of people who were milling around watching the various street entertainers in different parts of the city. There were many fascinating sights and I was bombarded with leaflets about shows and was greatly tempted by some but just enjoyed my ‘free’ entertainment as my time was limited. There are almost 3000 very different events and shows to tempt almost anyone at all times of the day and night and some cost very little. Unfortunately this year I have few opportunities to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Edinburgh but will take any chance to visit.

Previously this slackrope walker had played the violin and twirled two hula hoops while on his high rope and here he performs with a steel dagger and torch and an apple. Fortunately he managed to finish his show long before the torrential rain and thunder and lightning which must have curtailed later acts. It can’t be easy trying to make a living or covering costs for very many of the participants but they seem to enjoy it and many famous entertainers were ‘discovered’ at the Fringe.

As I write this I can hear the fireworks over nine miles away marking the end of the nightly Tattoo show which is another event which attracts tourists in their thousands in August. It’s a great place to visit in August (and throughout the year)