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Sugar Hi

Editorial Staff

“Are we walking towards or away from the Castle now?” booms a voice from the rucksack in front of my face. I do not bite the hand that feeds but these early evening tourists are looking at Edinburgh Castle when they ask this. The biggest hunk of rock you could ever wish to find is all but in their faces but they cannot see it and through the opened gates soldiers are perfecting their formations ready for the Tattoo. It is a lovely moment. Even if half of us do not know where we are.

I tear myself away from the romance of the Tattoo excerpt to go through the Police cordon, mentally noting the Scotch Whisky Experience has extended their Summer opening hours to venture down to my venue. I’m not expected but cannot resist saying hello as I’ve just got off the airport bus and seeing my name up on their running order is the ego boost from heaven. Last year I went to the Sweet Grassmarket to watch an inspiring show called Cake and seeing the name of their show chalked up in the venue window as I left made me vow to return with my own story.

So here I am all inspired. I celebrate the excitement of watching the venue setting up with a swift al fresco half in Biddy Mulligans then I pick up a few minor provisions from a convenience store which has me immediately googling the question, “Edinburgh supermarket anywhere?”

I have five pence change from a fiver after bagging a loaf of bread, a small tin of coffee and a milk carton. Oh and Pringles. But still. I will be sleeping out on Waverley at this pace. I see a chap with three full Waitrose carrier bags sprint up Victoria Street but then I clock his car keys. Balderdash. This place would be the neatest thing with a nippy automobile. Not to be. Time to grow accustomed once again to the cheeky charm of a Pot Noodle. Half way home I fall into a late night chipper on the Royal Mile and smile a mile when asked if I want “sauce and vinegar”. I feel like this is living and Waitrose can wait.

Tomorrow I’m off to find ‘Lickety Splits’ for a handful of Lucky Tatties to see me through my technical rehearsal on a pure sugar high. Although I have heard a rumour there is a Tesco out there somewhere.