We decided to stay an extra day up in Edinburgh so had to wake up and move to a newer (nicer) hotel. The Hotel du Vin. The hotel is beautiful, and the rooms are all named after vinyards around the world. They had an espresso machine in the room, which made me happy, and the shower was so powerful - always a deal breaker!
We then went for breakfast on Bristo Square and were served the most enormous plates in the world.
After breakfast me, my brother (who lives in Edinburgh), and Matt soaked up a bit of tourism.
Edinburgh Castle. The castle dominates the skyline and it's interesting to take a look around. It can be quite pricey but if you do go then make sure you are there for the firing of the one o'clock gun (Mon-Sat). We didn't pay to go in but you can walk around a fair amount of it without having to pay.
On the way past my brother pointed out a restaurant and hotel called the Witchery, named so as witches used to be burned at the stake nearby. There's a hexagon marking on the pavement as you go down the Mile that marks the spot where the burnings took place.
Next we got an incredible view of Princes street, and the Scott Monument, which is the monument to Sir Walter Scott and is also where one of the final shots of Cloud Atlas was filmed.
There was also a wheel like the London Eye, I don't know what it's called so I named it the 'Auch Aye' and was so proud of that joke I thought I'd share it on my blog. MWAHAHA.
We then chilled out in the Assembley George Sq (George Square gardens) where I fell asleep and Matt took photos of me asleep.
Ben Hart: the Vanishing Boy
Ben is a magician, who tells a story whilst performing very impressive magic tricks. Ben's magic was very impressive and he made it interesting with his charm and wit. Would definitely recommend him.
Underbelly Cowgate at 4:40pm
Danny Buckler: Punch
We stumbled upon Danny accidentally because we had a couple of hours to spare before our next act and he came up on the fringe app as being nearby. I'm so glad we did as he's one of the best acts I've seen! Lots of Danny's comedy comes from his over imaginative mind (something I found so funny because I can relate to it), impressions, and hysterical stories about Brian Blessed. He had the audience in hysterics from start to finish. Definitely go watch this show as it's free!
Word of advice: if you do go to a free show make sure you take cash with you as you leave money in a bucket at the end and I didn't have cash on me for this show and I felt horrific, as he really was worth it.
Cowgatehead at 6:15pm
BearPit Podcast Podcast
A fake podcast known as Ipswich FM's premier live podcast, the Bearpit Podcast covers a different subject everyday; the show we went to see was about the Ipswich Film Festival live from Edinburgh. The bearpit podcast comprises of six very funny up and coming comedians - Mat Ewins, Adam Hess, Fin Taylor, John Kearns, Matt Winning, Lolly Adefope.
Fin played the part of the host who interviewed different people from the world of film - the others who hilariously improvised. It felt very much like they were doing it more for their own entertainment than ours, particularly as Fin tried to make it as difficult as possible for the characters with the questions he asked, but my god were we entertained. It was random and inexplicable, but utterly hilarious!
The Mash House at 7:40pm
WitTank: Old School Secrets late night.
I mentioned WitTank in yesterday's post, and decided to go see them on their new late show they do on the weekend. Their show as a brilliant series of sketches around boarding school life and their late show is exactly the same... But with jaeger bombs, which was quite funny. Disorganised chaos but they pulled it off!
Pleasance Above at 11:40pm
We popped for some late night food over the road at the City restaurant, which served the widest range of food ever. I tried to be healthy and ordered the grilled salmon and the weirdest combination of food arrived at the table: salmon, pesto, mushy peas, and chips.
Let me know what you think, and make sure you check out Day 1 & 2 of my Edinburgh blog too :)
Until next time... X
