Tattoo-ed.........

.....no, don't worry, I haven't had my entire body covered in inky artistry (you'd need a lot of ink) but a visit to ....

held each year at Edinburgh Castle, at the start of the Edinburgh International Festival.Traditionally, it rains on the parade, this being Scotland in Summer but fortunately for us, it was a fine and balmy evening and a chance to catch Edinburgh looking beautiful.....(sorry if I sound like an advert for Visit Scotland!)....

......stopping en route for a thirst-quencher......well it was awfully warm!...

.......each time I pass these buildings with their tiny windows, I get a picture in my mind of them being thrown wide open each morning, while the entire contents of a slop bucket is chucked downwards to the call of 'Gardy Loo' (from the French 'Regardez L'eau' - pertaining to the liquid contained therein) from the little Edinburgh housewife going about her daily chores. Think about it next time your 'Toilet Duck-ing'!(a well-known brand of toilet cleaner, for those not in the UK).....

...I think this is the nearest I may get to The Hebrides, Outer or otherwise!.....

 ......then the long climb up to back of the Castle to form an orderly queue.....

....passing underneath the heraldic banners.....

....then out on to the Esplanade to take our seats ......

....and here we go...

(at this point, my camera battery starts to fade, so apologies for the poor quality pics but I hope you get a flavour of the evening)

......the pretty Korean dancers looked like butterflies......

 ....these Korean drummers would put Phil Collins firmly in the shade!....

 ...and the Korean dragon was very cute!.....

....these mini-bikers were so clever riding their bikes backwards, with fireworks!...

.....unfortunately, a really bad pic of some pipers but they sounded great!....nothing like the skirl of the pipes and the swirl of the tartan to stir your heart....

.....and I wish I could show you pics of the Mexican Army Mariachi Band or the NZ Army Marching Band, who did a hilarious gig and even included a Haka (Maori Dance usually used at the beginning of their rugby matches) or the beautiful Mongolian dancers (who must have sweated buckets underneath their fur costumes, it really was a warm night) or the 'War Horse' , whose production is coming to Edinburgh in January and February but sadly my camera battery had well and truly died by then so you'll just have to take my word for it that a great night was had by all. 

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Thanks to all who left such lovely comments last time, 'preeciate every single one!

Much Love

xxx