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And just like that, it was over. The minute you leave the Edinburgh Fringe feels like it was a ridiculous dream, though whilst you're still there it's a never-ending nightmare.
I had made life easy for myself this year by staying in the actual hotel that Stand 3 is a part of,
28 York Place. It was an excellent place and the staff were friendly and helpful and I heartily recommend it to anyone who is looking for somewhere to stay in Edinburgh. They even provide a free, tiny pool table for anyone with a self-playing snooker podcast (I never used it - I play self-playing snooker NOT self-playing pool).
And I have not been paid to say this. In fact quite the opposite. Maybe don't stay during the Edinburgh Fringe unless you are a millionaire or an idiot performer trying to lose money. To be fair that is also true of all accommodation in Edinburgh in August.
It's an especially convenient location if you are performing in the basement.
So I was feeling giddy with the idea of jumping on the train at 4.26pm and I had two of my favourite comedians (and my daughter's absolute favourite), Flo and Joan on. They were charming and witty and very kindly recorded a video for Phoebe, answering a couple of questions for her.
I had hoped to reach 1500 ticket sales by the end of the run and if I failed to do so then the whole enterprise would be a disaster. I thought I'd make it, but I ended up selling 1492. with 26 freebies. Damn my hubris.
Never mind, it was just good to say goodbye and then roll my suitcase up to Waverley and head back to my family. A lot of trains were being cancelled - including my final leg from Stevenage to Hitchin - but my train and reservation held good and it was a reasonably painless trip. I could have waited 30 minutes for the next train at Stevenage, but jumped in a cab and was home by 8.30pm being smothered in hugs by my son (and getting a nod of acknowledgment from my daughter).
The only negative was the absence of barking from Wolfie as the Ring doorbell registered movement at the door.
And as a treat for paid Substack subscribers I've included the video that Flo and Joan recorded beneath the paywall. It will be part of the podcast so if you can wait four months then you can hear it then.
Subscribe here. Make up for the 8!
