on the 2030 train to Edinburgh
Let's hear it for private enterprise: a burst of expletives rather than a cheer. I had a hospital appointment today to see a hand surgeon, who to my great relief isn't going to do anything, and when I came out I found that the private company that now runs the hospital car park (one CP Plus - I wonder what they think the 'plus' signifies) had given me a £40 parking notice, despite my carefully paying for a ticket and displaying it in the car window. OK, I thought, I'll find the attendant and show them I've got a ticket already. No-one to be found. OK, I'll call the company up then. Eventually I found a sign with a London number on it, to find that the company 'only deals with appeals in writing'. So to be avoid being liable for £40 I wrote them a letter, enclosing a copy of of my pre-paid ticket, and a photo of it prominently displayed in situ. Bastards. If I hadn't been rather busy and preoccupied I would have reported them to the police as well, as it could well be quite a little earner across the country taking advantage of the people who can't be bothered writing to the London office, and who just pay the fine over the phone. No wonder the staff at the hospital near us use our street as a car park: I have more sympathy for them now.

Anyway, just as I emerged from the hospital, Andrew called to say that he was going to see the Tiger Lillies tonight, so now so am I. I've brought my sleeping bag and I've been offered a night's kip at the BBC audio crew's festival flat. 

Also today I fitted in 10 minutes in the People's Palace at an exhibition of Camera Club photos of Glasgow in 1955. Odd to think that Glasgow then is more like it was when I was growing up, than it is now.

later
We gatecrashed John Eliot Gardiner's party afterwards so that I could see Kathy Fuge, having completely failed to meet her for lunch as planned this week. Who should meet us at the door but Anneke Scott ... I still think the best thing about festivals isn't going to gigs, but bumping into unexpected people.