Now there’s a thing you don’t see every day!
Alex and I were on our way to Paisley when I caught a glimpse of this parrot (actually a Black-headed Caique) sitting on a girl’s shoulder. I don’t know how she managed to get it to sit there quietly, but I’m guessing Superglue or Araldite might have had something to do with it. Instant PoD!
I met Alex sitting on the steps of the Concert Hall in Glasgow and we walked down Buchanan Street and had a cup of coffee while we made plans for what to do today. We’d talked about going to Paisley the last time we were out for a photo-walk, and agreed that it was a good choice of venue for today.
We got the train to Paisley and started our walk at the Abbey. It’s quite a remarkable place, and one of my favourite architectural buildings now. We agreed that Glasgow Cathedral was a very dark and gloomy building, but the stained glass window panels in Paisley Abbey are so bright and colourful. I’m not religious, but I do like this building. None of the walls are parallel allegedly because the entire structure is tilting slightly after being built over a watercourse. I don’t know for the truth of that, but it’s something I’ve heard a lot from Paisley folk.
After a walk around it, we felt the need for some sustenance so we headed for the Ugly Duck, our go-to place for a burger. It’s not much to look at, and the food isn’t fantastic, but we both like it and I’d say it’s one of the most friendly places in the town. I managed to break a cap on one of my teeth, nothing to do with the food, I hasten to add, just me being clumsy I think. Phoned the dentist and got an appointment for next week. More money!
Alex wanted to have a look round a wee shop that’s rarely open when we’re visiting Paisley, but today it was open and Alex was just raring to go in. I’d say it was a junk shop, but maybe that’s being too critical. I’d certainly not be buying any of the cameras that were sitting on one of the shelves and I wouldn’t even touch the lenses that were stacked beside the cameras. I was actually glad to get out of it, but I could see Alex was engrossed with the variety of tack that was there.
When we eventually came out, it was starting to rain, so we headed back to the station and the train in to Glasgow again. Coffee in a Nero just off Buchanan Street. Walked up the hill and met a bunch of Hare Krishnas coming the other way. Haven’t seen them for years, but there they were dancing and singing their hearts out.
We parted at the bus station and Alex went left while I went right. The old single decker bus was waiting for me as I walked along got the walkway and it took me back through Moodiesburn where it drove through a downpour. It felt like it had been waiting for just that moment to catch us unawares. I got out at my stop to find the rain had stopped and the sun was shining. That’s Scotland fur ye!
Tomorrow I must clear up the back bedroom for Jamie and Simonne on a flying visit.