Into the Wild...

And so, it's all done. The Festival is over. I am physically and mentally broken, but so very happy.

It's all been a bit of a whirlwind. 295 people have now seen my show- I had my last one yesterday at 1pm and managed to cry quite a lot at the end. I hope the audience knew that I was being weepy because it was my final show, and not that I manage to force tears out at the end of every performance. That would have made for a very draining month. After 59 shows in 26 days, I felt a mix of relief, adrenalin, joy, tears, exhilaration and exhaustion.

We were not allowed to leave the Pleasance Courtyard until 11.30pm because of site rules and so after the 1pm show, we felt in suspended in a strange state of waiting.. We had to load Joni up with all our stuff (us Franklands are not known for our skill of travelling light- our packing for a camping holiday involves a ukelele, at least 12 books and an 8ft surfboard.

At 11.30pm, we pulled away from our little corner of the Courtyard- we beeped the horn at the few people who were still there (incidentally, one of those people turned out to be Tim Vine) and we felt so proud of Joni. The triumphant departure was marred slightly when we had to stop and move some bins so we could get out without taking the wing mirrors off, but then we were DEFINITELY OFF, forging our way over the cobbles and out of the Courtyard Archway, headed for the unknown (well, our friend's house in Port Seton, but I was being poignantly metaphorical)

And here we are now in Port Seton, in a beautiful fisherman's cottage, getting Joni ready for her trip up to the Highlands. We are heading straight North, up to the very top, where I can't wait for 2 weeks of nothing- just beautiful peace and quiet, sea air and using Joni as a proper campervan once more. She has worked so hard over the last month, supporting me through my shows, staying sturdy and beautiful in the middle of the Pleasance, and welcoming all those lovely people in through her sliding door. I can't wait to go to sleep in her again and cook bacon on the stove in the morning. It's my birthday while we're away and I can't think of a nicer way to spend it.

I will update this when I get back, as I am turning my phone and computer well and truly OFF as from now. We are going to be wild camping (which is legal in Scotland, but not England) and so I apologise to anyone who sees me as soon as I get back. I am likely to look a bit like I've gone feral. Who knows, I may even grow a beard like Tom.

This is Joni and I signing off for now.

Until the next time...Happy Camping

x