So.  Been here in Edinburgh for a few days now - we came up on the 23rd by train - Virgin's West Coast Route, as luck would have it, on the day when the East Coast Route was virtually dead, due to a derailment. Very easy journey as it turned out.
We're staying in a really lovely apartment in Coates Place, just five minutes from Haymarket station. The place is simply enormous - there are nine of us staying here, most of us in moderate comfort (one person on an airbed).  It's all high ceilings and deep plaster mouldings, offset with very very modern fittings and appliances. I get the impression we're among the first people to stay here since a major refurbishment and redecoration:  There's still a smell of paint in the air, and everything's remarkably clean.  The living room is big enough for a full-sized rehearsal space, while still allowing the director and stage manager to recline on a comfy leather sofa whilst watching us.

I've always loved Edinburgh, though my visits have been few and sporadic, and I can see already, after only three days, that I'm going to be leaving the place even more in love with it. Just the most wonderful atmosphere - and the festival itself is still nearly a week away!