Tuesday 19 August 2008

Sunday 17/8 It is the evening of the day

The highlights of a busy day yesterday over tea, vanilla latte and mandarin smoothie, Hopkins remembers cooking a scrumptious meal for three young ladies, Newsam recollects the delivery of his first Butler message, I reminisce about beaches, amusements arcades and ice cream and Thompson dwells upon the still smarting injuries sustained in a freak showering accident. As we begin our final day at this year's festival and prepare to say goodbye to many friends old and new, we cannot resist looking ahead, the multifarious possibilities of next year's Butlerial contribution to these esteemed festivities Peking our curiosity.

Fletcher the Butler

Saturday 16/8 Zen and the art of Woking

Yesterday was a day of convivial conversation in the varied surrounding of this fair city. Particularly memorable was an audience with our honorary butler and her antipodean colleague below the saltire over a light lapsang, superb Scottish blue cheese and quince membricco. Meanwhile Thompson was at the airport and Hopkins was riding BMX bicycles into trees on the meadows. Later, after watching the S.R.Gents perform a set which according to Hopkins, "sounded a bit French", Hopkins and I served at a dinner party fo twenty-five, I in the kitchen learning the impenetrable secrets of wok technique, he in the dining room with tray and food. A song was composed in our honour, and we are retired to our palatial accommodation tired but happy.

Fletcher the Butler

Saturday 16 August 2008

Friday 15th August Shakespeare and Udder Performances

As Hopkins and I repose in our favourite morning hostelry close to the castle, munching on bacon and tomato rolls and imbibing refreshing breakfast tea and vanilla latte, our thoughts turn back to yesterday’s activities. Hopkins reflects upon the plethora of tasks which he undertook in the bowels of an inverted purple cow, while I muse upon yet another stage appearance, this time reciting the bard in the salubrious surroundings of one of Edinburgh’s premier hotels. Meanwhile, Thompson and Newsam are busy serving coffee and croissants to a young lady in the privacy of her exclusive accommodation, the Butlers’ first breakfast service this year. Commissions continue to stream in but the impending end of the week is hasting sad thoughts of imminent departure.

Fletcher the Butler

Friday 15th August Shakespeare and Udder Performances

As Hopkins and I repose in our favourite morning hostelry close to the castle, munching on bacon and tomato rolls and imbibing refreshing breakfast tea and vanilla latte, our thoughts turn back to yesterday’s activities. Hopkins reflects upon the plethora of tasks which he undertook in the bowels of an inverted purple cow, while I muse upon yet another stage appearance, this time reciting the bard in the salubrious surroundings of one of Edinburgh’s premier hotels. Meanwhile, Thompson and Newsam are busy serving coffee and croissants to a young lady in the privacy of her exclusive accommodation, the Butlers’ first breakfast service this year. Commissions continue to stream in but the impending end of the week is hasting sad thoughts of imminent departure.

Fletcher the Butler

Thursday 14 August 2008

Half Way

I had been remarking that my Butlerial activities seemed to be confined to a relatively small area of the old town, but yesterday saw me kettering hither and thither o’er hill and dale to accomplish far-flung commissions. I acted as guide, delivered flowers, announced myself to the passers-by of Hanover street as ‘Laura Keeler’, sang ‘Happy Birthday’ and finally tracked down the elusive Mr Bailey. I even had time to peruse the reserve stack at Edinburgh’s wonderful central library, in search of Bird puns. And choughed I was wren I displovered so many, and without puffin eider! Several tasks are already lined up for today, including a guest appearance in another show, and we look forward to s tryst with our old friends the S.R. Gents.

Fletcher the Butler

Wednesday 13 August 2008

Rain, more rain and late nights

The persistent rain which continues to dog Edinburgh fails to dampen our spirits and we notch up more commissions, sourcing padlocks and presents, reciting poems, servicing dinner parties and causing a stir with our daily afternoon drinking of tea. Havering between a choice of lunchtime hostelries yesterday, we chose to renew our acquaintance with a favourite Turkish bistro, where we partook of a delightful meze platter and peppermint infusion. While there , my services were requested as Birthday Butler to a certain Mr L, with whom I ended up on stage in two prestigious comedy entertainments later in the day, rubbing shoulders with a bright young things of the comedy firmament. As we approach he mid-point in our festival sojourn, we are not only beginning to see shows, but to appear in them too! What further excitements can the week bring?

Fletcher the butler

Tuesday 12 August 2008

Some quotations from the Fringe

We thought it would be nice to share some of our favourite quotations we have collected over the days so far:

"Oh it's the wedding pictures" - 5 Year old girl.
"Your sort of monks yourself" - A Harry Christna Monk.
"You make the Edinburgh Festival" - Kathryn.
"I am just glad to see work Factotum on it" - Flyerer at the Pleasance.
"I know the Festival is here when I see the Butlers" - Wife of the Turkish Man
"It's nice to know there are Butlers on hand when you need one" - Man selling truffles on the Meadows.
"Your a legend" - Carly.
"It makes me feel giddy" - Dan
"This is going to be laminated straight away" - Performer
"What? I don't understand?" - Several people!
The Butlers continue to walk the sloping streets of damp Edinburgh, I glad of my purchase of stout wellington boots in the fair town of Biggar prior to our arrival. Yesterday was a quieter day, with the initial flurry of commissions subsiding to a steady stream – up to 30 so far! Hopkins has been treading on my toes by delivering chains of messages. He was particularly pleased to receive a request for service from a wonderfully named Factotum letting agency, and has not been averse to accepting occasional embraces of gratitude in recompense. Newsam is filling his time in documenting the daily activities of the unsung heroes of the fringe – flyerers, big issue sellers and the like. Thompson has now located acceptable accommodation and is developing his role as Butler Technician to the festival. I, with only occasional moments for hot tea and a little light reading, am busying myself with litter-picking and the delivering of fond missives to the famous and not so famous. Mr Merton regretfully refused the proffered Jammy Doughnut.

Fletcher the Butler

Monday 11 August 2008

In the wake of Fringe Sunday

As Hopkins and I sit on the airy patio of our palatial accommodation, partaking of instant tea and breakfast plum bread, our thoughts turn to Thompson and his relentless search across swathes of Southern Scotland, for the perfect night’s repose. Our thoughts turn, too, to the successes of yesterday’s Fringe Sunday, which saw us take our 20th commission. Hopkins appeared on stage, Thompson found a use for his technical expertise, and I enjoyed an encounter with Mackenzie Crook. But the highlight of the day, heralded by the cheerful tring of a fire bell in the meadows, must be the excellent cup of tea served to us from a beautifully restored fire engine. As we don our Butlerial apparel, we wonder what a new Edinburgh day will bring.

Fletcher the Butler

Sunday 10 August 2008

What an eventful time so far in Edinburgh and it is only our first official day. We have all recieved numerous commissions and have met up with several friends from our previous years. Personally my highlight today has been a rather splendid cup of Strawberry Oolong I had for afternoon tea. I recieved a rather exciting commission today to provide some technical services to two charming young women for their comedy sketch show. It is the first time a Butler has been commsioned to carry out such a task, maybe there will be more to come.

I am now off to visit a rather splendid cheese emporium I noticed earlier on my travels, I will of course report back.

Regards,
Thompson

Saturday 9 August 2008

The Butlers arrive in Edinburgh

So, the Butlers are once again in Edinburgh and, despite the heavy rain, have already succeeded in meeting old friends and receiving new commissions - 8 so far and it's only the first night! The dubious pleasures of instant tea have been revisited, as has the barking madness of the Edinburgh fringe on a Saturday night. Who knows what pleasures awit at Fringe Sunday?

Fletcher the Butler