Flooding on The Fringe

Washout
If July's weather was bad, hasn't August been awful? My cousin and her family came up from Wales to take in the Festival last week, and they couldn't have picked a finer few days to see Edinburgh at it's most drookit!
They were also fortunate enough to have tickets for the Tattoo on Wednesday night - yup, the night of the tropical storms - so I don't think they'll forget their visit in a hurry. Hopefully the trench foot will clear up soon ...
I was hoping to catch some of Fringe Sunday today but the Meadows will be like Paschendaele after last night's deluge so I'm giving it a miss. I didn't go to see Pilton Video's show at the Lawnmarket last night for the same reason - maybe I'm getting too soft in my old age.
As I write the sun is splitting the sky so no doubt the snowstorms will be here by teatime ...

Other news. We picked up a Gold Medal in the Road Race today - damn fine show but 75km. on a bike looks like hard work. A taxi would surely have been cheaper?

There are potentially serious problems in the old USSR, with Russia taking an unhealthy interest in the goings-on in neighbouring Georgia. South Ossetia province (and, no, I hadn't heard of it either) could prove to be a serious flashpoint and once again we're seeing how impotent our international organisations can be in the face of naked aggression. It's a time for cool heads.

The footie season gets under way, Celtic win with a soft penalty. Hibs are disappointing, Rangers struggle but still win. Plus ca change!

And finally, a quick word on recent events in sunny old North Edinburgh. I have been heartened by the response I received to the letter I wrote to the NEN regarding some shenanigans surrounding a recent meeting. Callers and emailers have been very supportive, and I'm more convinced than ever that my community council did the right thing in calling that meeting. The misguided wreckers can't be allowed to win, and I'm pleased to hear that the vast majority of those who take an interest share that view. No doubt I'll be returning to this issue over the coming weeks.
I'm off to find my wellies before venturing out into the now lashing rain - as my old friend Captain Titus Oates so nobly said, 'I may be gone some time'!

Cheerio, chaps - tally ho!