Not all Edinburghers leave town! Some of us relish the four weeks of cultural overdrive, thank our lucky star for being resident and get stuck in. Only this year I was elswhere when the Fringe's 2 for 1 ticket offer weekend was on. Drat! However, careful study of similar offers on the back page of the Scotsman newspaper's Festival supplement can produce unplanned delights and bargains. In the meantime what have I seen?

Last night I was at Fiesta Criolla in the wonderful Greyfriars Church. The church is situated across from the statue of Greyfriars Bobby and sits in a graveyard full of interesting tombstones in the shadow of the Castle. I always feel music sounds wonderful in church acoustics. Perhaps some of you will know why this is or indeed whether this is. Certainly the performance of FIESTA CRIOLLA by ENSEMBLE ELYMA, conductor, Gabriel Garrido was astounding. The piece covers a range of style from serious classical church music to rumbustious songs of the people - albeit people with wonderful voices and backed by a group of talented musicians. The blend of South American rhythms in voice, movement and instrument thrilled a full audience.

About half the audience had to leave in suitable breaks because the performance which had been scheduled to last an hour overran by 45 minutes. Excellent for those of us not going on to a 7.30 performance elsewere in the city.

Performance is everywhere during August. Walk this way and encounter fringe performers handing out flyers, high quality busking and folk from all over the world. Pass a tent and listen in while hush turns to laughter. Do a little eavesdropping in the street, on the bus (I've got my ridacard - more anon) or while wating in the queue to get in to your event. As writers, we must find rich and varied material.

My opening page on Writelink is currently showing 'comments waiting'. I can't find them so if anyone has left one that should have had an answer, my apologies. It's not rudeness. It's incompetence at finding my way round the site.

Now, off to put the tatties on because entertaining visiting relatives and friends is all part of the festival experience.