Author: Zogman

Glasgow Fire – 10 March 2026

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Wandering around central Glasgow trying to make sense of the world.

I tried to avoid going in to Glasgow today. A fire that started in a vape shop near Central Station on Sunday, got out of control and ultimately caused the collapse of one of the oldest buildings in the city.

I didn’t really want to go and see the damage, but I needed to find out what was going on in the 24-105mm lens of my camera. For almost a month now I’ve had this annoying screeching noise from the lens and the only place I knew could help was A. J. Johnstone in the centre of town.

Johnstone’s camera repair shop is really close to the, still smoking, collapsed building, but I got instruction from the company on how to find the entrance to their shop without going near the old building or crossing police tape. The company’s shop is on the fifth floor of an old building. There is a lift that carries two people at a time but only reaches the fourth floor. However, climbing the last flight to the fifth floor was a better solution that climbing up all five. When I got to the repair shop, the news wasn’t good. The damage was in the barrel of the lens and the disassembly and refitting would be at least £500 with a six month warranty. I had the feeling it wasn’t a repair he wanted to do, and I didn’t really want to shell out £500 for something that might only work for six months. I thanked him for his free advice and found my way out of the warren these old buildings are like.

I phoned Scamp to tell her the bad news, then headed back to the city centre. Then like all the others, I just stood and looked at the damage to Bothwell Street and Hope Street. There was an almost total silence from the people standing looking at what used to be a building they knew so well. Eventually I dragged myself away after I took a few photos of the devastation.

I got the Alloa train from Queen Street and phoned Scamp to ask for a lift from Croy to home. It wasn’t the day or the answer I’d hoped for, but I had already spoken to a salesman in WEX and he had sort of prepared me for what the repair man in Johnstone’s had confirmed. It’s not the end of the world. The lens still works for now, but I will have to save up for a new lens eventually.

One final note to self:
Remember what the man in Johnstones said. “Don’t buy secondhand camera equipment. It’s false economy.”

PoD had to be the view through the blue Police tape to the fire engines and the firemen still hosing down the remains of a once proud building.

Tomorrow, Scamp is intending to head east.

Out in the morning … Early! – 9 March 2026

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First stop was at Andrew’s shop at 10am, where he took us through the changes that have been happening in the world and explained the reasons for not listening too closely to the Doom & Gloom merchants, but equally not to believe those who say it will all be over in a few weeks. It’s the middle ground we need to listen to, not the hot heads. We left the shop feeling that we’d learned something today, even if he wasn’t wearing his wildly coloured socks!

Next stop for Scamp was a bit of shopping. New bed sheets to start with and coloured sheets to boot! What is the world coming to? Just to wrap things up, she added new pillows to her list of ‘Must Haves’. There simply was no stopping her today.

I did think she might want to go for a drive somewhere but she settled for Torwood Garden Centre for an early lunch. It wasn’t even midday, so it was a scone and a coffee each, then a walk round some of the flowers. In addition, we took a serious look at a new plastic greenhouse for the garden, but we couldn’t quite agree on which one to choose. Big decisions like that need time to make ther correct choice.

Back home I went for a walk in the rain with my squeaky old lens and got some more photos of the mating frogs and the Ribes sanguineum, the Flowering Currants. The flowers won.

Kirsty’s class has finally worked out how to deal with the Quickstep and today’s task was to dance a new waltz instead. It’s called the Blackwood Waltz and has a few tricky bits, but basically it seems to be a lot of units we’ve already mastered, but in a different order! Scamp thinks we’ve conquered it. I’m not so sure.

On the way home tonight, Scamp suggested a fish supper for a late dinner. Brilliant idea. It went down a treat!

No real plans for tomorrow, but we may take a wander past the partly demolished building in the centre of Glasgow that was almost completely destroyed yesterday by a fire in a vape shop. I’m thinking I’ll take my squeaky lens to a camera repairer in the town to let them have a look at it.

Bob the Builder – 8 March 2026

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… just for one day!

We had a busy day ahead of us today. We were taking Shona to Monklands to have an ultrasound. After that we were taking her back to her new house to get her bed assembled then have new curtain poles and curtains fitted. Luckily the existing fittings for the curtain poles were still there, so that saved us a fair bit of work. The bed the council had provided was pretty poor and I can see me having to strengthen it in the near future. She’s hoping to get other bits and pieces of snagging finished soon and she’ll be able to move in permanently. As usual I’d only brought some of the tools with me, but by luck we had enough to get all the work done in a couple of hours. We left her smiling from the front door of her her new house.

We drove back home and I went for a walk in St Mo’s partly to get some photos and partly to straighten my back which was aching with stretching up to fit the curtain poles and the curtains, all five of them. Scamp and Shona did all the clever stuff and I did the climbing up the ladders. I knew where I was heading for to get today’s PoD. I’d seen the Flowering Currant bush yesterday and thought it would make a fine photo. However, when I checked the camera, the power was down to 6% which is nowhere near what I was hoping. I took what I could get and walked home. Back home I discovered that the battery I was using was swelling. Never a good sign, so it will need replacing very soon. I don’t think I’ll risk recharging it, just in case.

That was a hard day, hopefully tomorrow will be easier when we go to meet Andrew in Falkirk.

A day in the Toon – 7 March 2026

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Today we caught a slow bus to Glasgow.

I was taking my dodgy 24-105mm lens to Wex to see if anyone in the shop could tell me what was going wrong with it. About three weeks ago it started making a screeching noise when I half pressed the shutter button. I’d hoped that someone in Wex would know what was going wrong with it. Actually, there were two lenses with exactly the same problem, but to simplify things, I just asked about my favourite, the 24-105. It’s hardly been off the camera since I bought it and was quite expensive, even second hand. However, although the guy in the shop said he could hear the noise, he admitted he didn’t have the depth of knowledge to say what was causing the noise, but he did suggest that I take it in to A. J. Johnstone next week, because it isn’t open on weekends. So, sadly I took it back in my trusty rucksack and Scamp and I walked down into Glasgow looking for somewhere to eat.

We ended up in Wagamama. Scamp had Prawn Raisukaree Curry and I had Pork Belly Ramen and we both had a couple of dips to share. First time in Wagamama for ages, and we both enjoyed the lunch.

Went for a walk down Buchanan Street after that a bit hesitant as there was a lot of noise coming from the steps outside the Concert Hall, lots of shouting and chanting. It’s amazing how your attitude changes to these things with what has been happening in the world in just over a week. PoD was a separate and much quieter group of mainly men wearing saffron robes. They seem to be becoming more regular in Glasgow streets this year, certainly quieter.

We got another slow bus home. Just a normal X3 that was obviously taking its time to avoid arriving too early.

Back home we watched the first F1 GP Qualifying of this year with a few thrills and spills. The first one being the most surprising. Looks like being an interesting race.

That was about it for today. Lovely sunny, but cool day. Hoping for another of the same tomorrow.

An explanation – 6 March 2026

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I’ve been struggling to add in all the things we did on our spring break and we’ve spoken to both of you individually since we arrived home, so you have a fair idea of what we’ve been doing. With that in mind I thought I’d cut to the chase and take them as read. After all, it was a holiday and we didn’t really do all that much, except drink watered down beer, eat some cold food and go for walks along the coast. So my plan is to start fresh from today and get back to Blogging. Here goes.

Today Scamp was out at her usual time to go to FitSteps class. One of the last FitSteps classes she is likely to attend, because Kirsty is abandoning the classes as the numbers are dropping away and it must be heartbreaking to run a class for only three people. I don’t think Scamp is exactly pleased about it, but she appreciates the predicament Kirsty is in. There are other FitStep classes Scamp could go to, but she likes the Friday morning class, but it’s just not practical. Kirsty is still committed to the Monday evening dance class, so I can’t get out of it that easily 😉, it’s just the Friday morning class that’s disappearing at the end of the month.

After Scamp returned from FitSteps we walked over to Condorrat to post a card to somebody or some people who deserved one, but on the way we had intended dropping in at Broden’s bar for a Friday lunch, only to find that the door had its shutters down as did the pub that it’s connected to. We’d even decided on our lunch which was to be Mac ’n’ Cheese for Scamp and Fish ’n’ Chips for Scamp. Instead we walked home to get a sandwich each. Nice though they were, the just weren’t as good as hot food. The last time we were in Broden’s (probably known to you as The Masonic to you) we discovered that it was under new management. One of Scamp’s Witchy spies had heard that it was closing but we thought it was just a rumour. Hopefully it’s just closed for refurbishment. Fingers crossed.

Scamp was doing some rearranging of her plants in the last few days and I hoped I could avoid work by going for a walk in St Mo’s. I got a few photos of frogs in St Mo’s pond and one of them made PoD. I thought I’d avoided some gardening work, but Scamp dragged me kicking and screaming to the back garden to prune the big Buddleia bush that grows beside the back fence. I have to admit that it looked better for its Short Back and Sides.

We may take a broken lens in to WEX in Glasgow tomorrow to see if it is repairable. It sounds like its had some water ingress that’s causing rust. If it can’t be fixed, it’s going to be more pocket money leaving my pocket.

 

Flying to Fuerteventura – 21 February 2026

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An early rise of around 5am, then waiting for the taxi to take us to the airport in a cold, wet Glasgow.

I’d packed my rucksack with all five different polythene bags, each holding different articles and cameras I’d need for the trip, but when we got to the security checkpoint I was told I didn’t need to open my bag, the new machinery could read what was in the bag. Brilliant, but I did have to go through the usual ‘frisking’ to make sure I wasn’t carrying anything dangerous on my person. Luckily, I wasn’t, so it was straight through to one of the extortionate cafe’s to have breakfast. We were really early, but better that than rushing at the last minute to get to the terminal in time.

Basically it was a pleasant, but long five hour flight down to Fuerteventura, then a wait for our cases to be offloaded and finally a taxi to the hotel. We’d paid extra to get a high floor with a sunny balcony, and that was exactly what we got plus a Nespresso coffee maker!

We spent most of the day wandering around the gardens and a quick jaunt onto the the sandy beach. A good start to the week.

Today was a Benylin day – 19 February 2026

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I woke in the morning about 7am, but rejected it as a bad dream and went back to sleep.

Later in the morning, I got Scamp’s breakfast for her, then went back to bed for a second time. Scamp then suggested I take some Benylin and a couple of paracetamols and just like that, I slept for another two hours. I finally broke surface, had a long hot shower and felt human again.

From there on until now I’ve been living on a diet of Benylin and paracetamol most of the day. I’m due a final dose in about an hour. That’s not to say that I haven’t been doing anything else. I walked down to the shops to get some sweeties for Scamp to thank her for being my nurse maid and because it’s Thursday which my long term readers will understand.

On my way back home I noticed an old barbecue lying beside the path on the way to St Mo’s. I’d seen it lying in the bushes beside the path for months, if not years. It looked like somebody had taken the time to drag it out and left it beside the path. I had a look inside it to see if there was anything photographable there, but immediately rejected the idea. I don’t know what was in there, but it was black and looked like coal. I’m sure there is someone who would welcome one of these devices for their patio. One careful owner (the others kicked it to bits).

Dinner was fish risotto cooked in the oven. A nice, easy dinner you don’t have to do anything with.

Both Scamp and I still have a cough, but we’re feeling a lot better than we were.

My thanks go to George Rieveschl, the man who invented Benylin.

No plans or tomorrow.

Old Friends – 18 February 2026

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Today we drove over to Condorrat to meet a couple of old friends.

I have exchanged Christmas Cards with Elizabeth for a long, long time, but this year I forgot, and I think she forgot too. It’s a growing old thing. Anyway, when this year’s card arrived she suggested in it that it would be good if Scamp and I could come and visit her and her daughter, Fiona. I was delighted, and offered them a few ‘clear’ days and Elizabeth chose today. As time went on, I wasn’t sure if I should cancel, because Scamp is just recovering from a heavy cold and I’m just starting one. However, we went, and had a great time. Remembering names from the past, both pupils and teachers. Not all were good and not all were bad, but we only made a point of remembering the former! We spent a good couple of hours there and agreed that we should do it again some time.

As we were leaving, Fiona presented us with two jars, one full of Apple Jelly and another full of Thick Orange Marmalade. I haven’t opened either of them yet, but I’m sure they will taste as lovely as they look. That is where the PoD came from today. It started off as a dull day, weatherise, but later, just as we were leaving, the sun shone for an hour or so. Another sign that Spring is on the way.

Other than that, there was little to say about today. But dinner was one of Scamp’s specialities, Chicken Milanese. Chicken battered flat with a rolling pin, dipped in egg yolk and fried in a frying pan. We had chips with ours and the whole thing just worked.

We watched Masterchef the Professionals tonight. It’s amazing how a couple of simple changes can make a considerable difference to a show. None of that ridiculous shouting that used to go on. Long may it continue, but it’s early days yet.

I had a phone consultation with the doc today and it appears that my Ferritin levels are a bit high, but nothing to worry about. I’ve to get another blood test in six months.

PoD is done and it’s getting near my new bedtime, so I’m going to take some Benylin and go to bed.

Maybe going dancing tomorrow. Depends on how we feel.

Lunch in the Ivy – 17 February 2026

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Just a little spot of lunch on a cold day.

Scamp has had a terrible cold recent and had requested a visit to The Ivy in Buchanan Street. We’d heard lots about it from friends and this was a perfect day to check it out. It was agreed that ‘drink would be taken’ so we left the Blue car to snooze under a bright blue sky while we took the bus in to town.

It was a slow bus, but we weren’t going anywhere fast. A coffee in Nero on the way down Buchanan Street and a walk down almost as far as Princes Square, then a gentle sedate walk back to the restaurant. It’s quite impressive inside, at least I was impressed. Maybe it was because it was a midweek visit, but the place seemed to have a more ‘senior citizens’ than I’d expected.

Scamp’ s starter was Zucchini Fritti With lemon, chilli and mint yoghurt.

Her main course surprise, surprise was Fish and Chips. What else would it be?

My Starter was Twice-baked Cheese Soufflé, Gratinated Monterey Jack and mozzarella in a cream sauce with grated black truffle.

My Main course was The Ivy Classic Shepherd’s Pie. Slow-braised lamb and beef with Cheddar mash, rosemary and red wine sauce.

I nearly didn’t get a starter or a main after I revealed that I had a mussel allergy. There was quite an investigation to go through, down to admitting that the cooking oil had been used to cook mussels. However, by some quirk of fate, I survived.

Dessert for me was a flamed Flambéed Crème Brulée. Flamed tableside with silky vanilla custard and a golden caramelised sugar crust.

Dessert for Scamp was Rum Baba with Mango. Moist rum-soaked sponge, complemented by Chantilly cream, tropical mango and toasted coconut. She didn’t like it!

After all that, we had a wee rest, then decided we’d pay up and go for a walk down Bucky Street, then get the bus home.

The gods were with us today, because as we were crossing the road at JL, the bus doors opened and we got a lift back home on a lovely day.

I’d forgotten to take a camera with me, so today’s photo came from my iPhone. It’s a bloke playing a keyboard on Bucky Street. He deserved a quid for sitting playing to an unappreciative audience, except me!

I don’t think I’ll be needing much for breakfast tomorrow, but we’ll wait and see.

Phone call with the doc in the morning and a visit to an old friend in the afternoon.

Still working on the back room – 16 February 2026

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More tidying was the main topic for today, the back room is better, but it needs a lot more work.

I was just waking up, properly when my phone rang. It was the Health Centre to tell me one of the docs wanted to phone me on Wednesday about my latest bloods results. That’s never going to be a good conversation. No details were given, just that the doc would phone me on Wednesday at 9am. I tried to explain to the lady on the line that I don’t do 9am, but she gave me the rubber ear. So Wednesday it will be. I hope it doesn’t take too long, because I have people to see, places to go on Wednesday.

After that joyous start I looked at some of the puzzles and managed a 4 for Wordle which is pretty good these days. ‘Strands’ was tedious and complicated then I solve the Mini Crossword with almost no trouble. That was about it for the morning.

In the afternoon, Scamp encouraged me to go out for a while. I did, but it was under duress, however the weather was not nearly as cold as I thought it would be and when the sun shone for a short while it was almost like Spring. In fact, that was exactly what if felt like. Some trees are beginning to show the buds on their branches and with a bit of luck there will be flowers on the trees too.

I think my favourite Sony 24 -105mm lens is a goner. It makes screeching noises as soon as I gently press the shutter button. T the 16-35mm lens is beginning to sound the same death knell. I think I may have had the camera bag open during one of those torrential rain showers and some rain has found its way into the internals. Looks like I need to break open my piggy bank.

We went to Kirsty’s class tonight, but I just couldn’t get my head round the spin turns and the fishtails. Scamp did her level best to show me how it worked and once, just once it worked. Must try harder.

Watched another of the pot throwing competition and marvelled at the way these people can manipulate clay and produce flowers from it. I once made a slab pot at college and thought I was great!

PoD was a low view along one of the channels in St Mo’s pond. Lovely reflections from the sky.

Tomorrow we may go to Glasgow for a Special lunch.

Happy Anniversary Hazel and Neil

Hope you had a great day.