Blistering

Another very warm day. Off to Edinburgh first thing, last singing session till September. Kirsty couldn't make it so we had a DIY session, which was fun. Some folks did solos, others led some songs we all know, we had a poem or two and Alison, our bard, sang her latest composition. And we had an extra long coffee break so we could have a good blether. 

A quick visit to the flat, all well there. Then home and out again to the Borders Book Festival. TM went to hear Barry Cunliffe talk about his book about Celtic languages, and I went to Sebastian Barry on 'Old Gods Time', which I read a few weeks ago. 

It's a powerful, disturbing tale. Barry's reading from it tonight, and what he had to say about the theme - child abuse by priests in Ireland in the 1950s, and the cover-ups by church and state - was strong stuff indeed. 

It was quite disorientating to emerge from the tent to the peaceful scene of the douce folk of Melrose and all the country round, enjoying their picnic on the grass.