Dirty Laundry

To Edinburgh and Beyond: UK Tour Days Five, Six, & Seven

Whence last I wrote to you I had just left Bristol, drooled on the train, and arrived in picturesque Edinburgh. I’d met the spritely Emma O’Donovan for dinner and was off to bed in my lovely hotel room. And now, the story continues:

Thursday, May 19th: Sleep was sporadic. Ghosts in the room? Perhaps. Or just noisy drunk people next door toppling lamps and playing their television too loud? I choose ghosts. The hotel is said to be built on the site of the old asylum and so there must be tortured souls wandering about somewhere. Awoke to the lilting tones of my telephone wake-up call. Breakfast was toast, fruit, and extremely fancy French yogurt served in a tiny clay pot. Then it was off in a cab with Emma to Craigmount High School. There we met Librarian Coral Grant, Teen Title’s editor Cleo Jones, and Blackwell’s bookseller Julie Gamble. Everyone was extremely welcoming. The students were filed in and I presented my book trailer, reading, and talk. All went well as the students had some good questions and one wide-eyed girl just could not believe that I’d come all the way from Canada to visit her school. In fact, she was so astonished, that she had to ask me twice.

Then, it was off to Broughton School, where I met Librarian Moira Paton and Jasmine Fassl from The Scottish Book Trust. I was then interviewed by three boys for the Teen Titles publication. They had all read the book and were well prepared with a wonderful series of questions. We had a lovely and relaxed conversation about writing, books, and movies. I regaled them with stories of swimming, and movie premieres, and embarrassing bird guano incidents. There was much laughter and the time just flew. I even remembered to break out my camera. Here’s a shot of me and the guys.

Following the interview, Emma, Jasmine, Julie, and I had a nice lunch at a little cafe. There was much talk of reading, and writing, and little children’s ghost hands reaching for you as you walk through the Scottish graveyards at night. Emma was not too pleased with the talk of ghosts and so I took it upon myself to tell her some very frightening stories of spirits that my wife has come across at various times in her life. She, in turn, changed the subject to Greyfriars Bobby, a little Scottish terrier who apparently slept on the grave of his master every night until the dog passed away himself. It’s a very famous local legend that most Edinburghians seem extremely tired of hearing about.

After lunch we trotted off to The Royal High School where we were warmly greeted by Librarian Evelyn Smith. The students at Royal High were very nice and asked some excellent questions. Some of which I’d never heard before. I’m always pleased when I’m asked a question I don’t immediately have the answer to. It makes for a very interesting conversation. Following the talk, Evelyn was kind enough to give us a ride back into town. She even offered to give us a quick driving tour of Edinburgh but I was too wiped out and needed a nap.

Back at the hotel, I lied down and promptly fell into unconsciousness. When I awoke, I Skyped my wife and beamed at her across the internet. Dinner was a vegetarian affair at a very nice restaurant, though I can’t remember what it was called. It was someone’s name, I think. Danny Banny. Or David Barnes. Or David Bann. Anyway, it was very tasty and there was much chatting, and best of all: there was chocolate souffle.

Friday, May 20th: Better sleep this night. Ghosts must have locked the liquor cabinet. Had to get up early though so Emma and I could meet Julie and Sarah Wright from Bounce at Blackwell’s books. Sarah drove us to Firrhill High School where we were met by Librarian Shauna Dickson. The students were very attentive and really enjoyed the book trailer and the sneak peek at Beat the Band. Once again, I remembered to break out my camera and so I happen to have a picture of some students from Firrhill.

Lunch was falafel and carrot cake with Emma and Sarah before having to say goodbye to Emma as she trotted off to catch her train. Happily, I will see Emma again at The Hay Festival next week.

Sarah then drove me out to Waterstone’s Livingstone to visit with Children’s Regional Manager Eve Harvey and her son Cole. I have to say that this was a real highlight (amongst so many highlights) of my UK tour so far. Eve was super-sweet and her son was absolutely awesome. I loved how he laughed when he was talking about certain scenes from the novel. It was great talking to both of them about books and writing. Both Eve and Cole are writers. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Eve is a published author in the very near future. I left the shop with a bag full of purchased books (of course) and a big smile on my face.

Here’s Eve, Cole, and me in front of a big display of Swim the Fly (can you find where Waldo is?):

Following this visit Sarah drove me back to my hotel and along the way we swapped dogs-eating-disgusting-things-like-manure-and-dirty-nappies stories.

Friday afternoon was wandering about town and a pizza at Mamma’s in the Grassmarket area of Edinburgh.

Saturday, May 21st: Day off. Slept in a bit, checked the weather forecast, saw it was supposed to rain, looked outside, saw it was only partly cloudy, rushed to get ready to beat the storm and get some picture taking in. The day was filled with Edinburgh Castles, and street wanderings, and Writer’s Museums, and restaurant hunts, and scotch making tours, and National Gallery perusings, and Mosque Kitchen Chicken Curry tastings.

Here are some pics. Cloudy days are good for shooting portraits, not so great for landscapes but you make due.

Let the slide show commence…

The infamous Greyfriars Bobby. Be very careful wandering around the graveyard at night or you might feel the ghostly lick of a terrier tongue on your shins.

I call this one “Edinburgh: Street”

No more comments from me. Just some random shots. Enjoy (or not):

Posted by Don Calame on 5.21.11 at 11:10 am in Prattlings. (2) Comments