Edinburgh Book Sculptures @_freetofly_

The book festival again today for 2:30, which @_freetofly_ (the lady behind the Edinburgh Book Sculptures) had announced would see the latest manifestation of her handiwork and which her tweets had hinted would have a bird theme.

Very much so, as she has outdone herself, producing a total of 30 bird sculptures to celebrate the book festival's 30th birthday. These included a magnificent peacock for the festival itself but the majority - though caged - were intended to be 'free to fly' - bearing labels asking for them to be taken to a favourite bookshop, a favourite coffee shop and no doubt elsewhere, as I didn't see them all before they departed.

While the time and place were clear, the exact location within the festival wasn't and by the time I found it some birds had already flown - talking to some of those lucky enough to get there early, I was told that Blackwells bookshop and the Forest Cafe were destinations. I hope they all arrive safely, with none lost in transit.

All of the sculptures have tags attached, with quotes contributed by people in touch with the sculptor via twitter. Despite getting there late, I was lucky enough to see the sculpture with mine attached before it departed.

The picture shows the very appropriate sculpture dedicated to the book festival, bearing Ian Rankin's tribute to Iain M Banks,