I woke up to the rather upsetting news that
Weston-Super-Mare Pier had been pretty much destroyed by fire. I was a bit choked up by this. I may not always have lauded WSM,
I might even have been rude about it, but this was the biggest local town when I was growing up and I spent many hours on the pier. I can't say they were happy hours. But they were happier than being anywhere else in WSM. Time passed. It would have passed in any case. But more slowly. And without the pier what does Weston have?
The place might have to close down.
So if you live in Weston-Super-Mare my thoughts are with you. More than usual. Even though every day in Weston is a kind of tragedy.
I was writing most of the day, but got out to go to the gym and the supermarket in the afternoon. On the way back I bumped into Brendon Burns. Edinburgh is really beginning. There are comedians all over the place. We said hello and as we stood there, Simon, a comedy promoter passed by. If you stand still in the Fringe you will meet person after person that you know and never be able to move again. As we chatted a furious man jumped out of his car and headed towards the car in front. He strongly chastised the driver for some perceived slight. We tried not to pay attention to a situation that might at any second turn to violence. The Fringe performers and the inhabitants of Edinburgh were side by side by side and trying to pretend they weren't cohabiting. It was a perfect metaphor for the month of August.
Luckily no blood was spilled. The furious man returned to his car - with his confused daughter sitting in the back, yelling that the man in front was a twat. We all sniggered and then worried that he might see us sniggering and come and take it out on us. I caught his eye for the briefest moment. Luckily he let it go.
Good to be back in Auld Reekie.
