Around Edinburgh

As well as all the other exciting things happening in August, I got to visit Scotland for the first time ever! I've wanted to nip over the border for the longest time and just never got round to it, so when I heard that Haruki Murakami was speaking at the Edinburgh Book Festival, it seemed like the perfect time. Admittedly it was two days after we landed home from Florida, and the day after Reading Festival, but it was worth it! 

We booked a room for two nights, and it was nowhere near enough to do everything we had planned, so there will definitely be future visits. The next few days will be filled with posts of everything I got up to, but I wanted to begin with a little "around Edinburgh" introduction. It's such a beautiful city that I can't resist posting all the photos I took out and about.

Murakami's event started a couple of hours after we arrived in the city. I was worried about trains being late and missing the talk but thankfully everything went to plan. Unfortunately, he was only signing after his second event the following day, and it was only open to ticket holders of that specific event, making this the second time I've missed out on a signing by one of my cultural heroes. Gutted isn't the word! Nevertheless, it was wonderful to have the opportunity to listen to him speak. Murakami came across as a very endearing and good-natured person; a comfortable and self-aware introvert. His memory of his own novels is not great, but this was a charming quirk. Interestingly, he seems to have no interest in metaphors or deep meanings. If a character is written as walking through a well, it's because he's walked through the well. The wind up bird in The Wind Up Bird Chronicle has no purpose beyond Murakami liking the idea. Although I wanted to ask him about the significance of the repeated mention of ears in his novels, I have a pretty strong feeling that his answer will be "I like ears". I feel very lucky to have been present at his event and listened to him speak about his work. 

After the talk, Rich and I visited the Edinburgh Dungeons, which are almost exactly the same as the London Dungeons, although the Sawney Bean boat ride is absolutely terrifying! Oh, and I was chosen as the person to go down the steps first- alone- and make sure the coast was clear. Of course somebody jumped out and screamed at me, and of course I screamed like a little girl, even though I was expecting it! 

Understandably, we were both exhausted and still a bit jet lagged, so we had an early night to rest for our busy full-day in Edinburgh.  

Rather conveniently, I had been sent a #StressFreeFringe kit by StressFreePrint, consisting of a Fringe directory, tartan scarf, insanely helpful Edinburgh guidebook (complete with maps!) and a handy Fringe tote bag to carry it all around in. 

My #StressFreeFringe kit also included a tartan umbrella, which was just what I needed on Sunday when the inevitable rain began falling! 

Sunday morning was pretty exciting for me as I finally got to meet the wonderful Kirsty of Indigo Buttons. Although we've been talking for about two years- bonding over a mutual love of Richard Osman- being in, you know, different countries meant it was a little difficult to meet in real life. You'll be pleased to know that she is lovely in person as well as online! She, and her partner Adam, took Rich and I on a little mini-tour of the city. Let me tell you, Kirsty is the best person to walk around Edinburgh with. Having had all sorts of interesting jobs in the past, including a tour guide and a lion at the castle (true story!), she knows all there is to know about the place and will tell you everything, even if you don't ask! 

After a long day of museum-visiting, hill-climbing and Harry-Potter-cafe-dining, we headed back to our room on the bus...

The bus that has tartan seats. Yep. 

Monday, our final day in Edinburgh, was a crazy, hectic day with a lot to do in very little time. 

Edinburgh is a fantastic city and I loved it, hills and all! I can't wait to go back!