Category: Friends

Coffee in Starbucks? NOOoooo!!! – 16 April 2025

Posted on by Zogman

Actually it wasn’t that bad!

I was driving over to Hamilton today to meet Billy Kent. He was married to my distant cousin, Margaret. Margaret’s mum and my mum were cousins, so that probably would have made us second-cousins. Margaret died about two years ago.

I got a Christmas card from Billy last year saying that we should meet up some time. He put his phone number on the card and for once I put it into my contacts. In February we had a phone discussion and decided we’d meet halfway at Starbucks in Hamilton. Unfortunately every day he suggested didn’t suit me and all my suggestions didn’t suit him. It was beginning to look as if we weren’t going to have this meeting. However, last week we did find commonality and that day was today.

Scamp and I had visited Billy and Margaret’s house for dinner many moons ago and I they had visited ours. I really think it was Covid that broke the bond between us and it was difficult to rebuild it. Then Margaret died. So, in a way, this was the rebuild beginning. Although I wasn’t sure if it was the same person I was going to meet today. Thankfully it was.

Over a couple of mugs of coffee, we just blethered like two auld guys do. Telling stories, some of them slightly exaggerated and some just stories. After an hour and a bit we were both talked out and it was time to go our separate ways. I enjoyed the experience and we said we’d do it again. I think we will.

I’d arrived a bit early and it was beginning to drizzle. By the time we were leaving, it was bucketing down. I think they were even throwing down the buckets as well as the rain.

The motorway was treacherous with standing water making driving a bit risky, but I got home ok. I stopped at M&S to pick up some things for dinner. My turn to cook and it was to be fish risotto made mainly in the oven.

Since I had some time to spare in the afternoon I re-started work on the giant 3D Lego jigsaw. The first section from last week was easy to visualise. This one, not so much. To make things more complicated, some of the parts were made as mirror images of each other before being joined together later. I’m glad there was a QR code that I could scan to see the construction in more detail. That was a great benefit. Hopefully this present section will be completed tomorrow. I should also photograph the sections as they are completed.

PoD was a picture I saw while I was building the Bonsai. It’s a Poinsettia plant that sits on the window ledge of the back bedroom. Beautiful colours that contrast so well.

I’m hoping to meet Alex tomorrow for a walk and a blether.

Cooking, Baking and Polishing – 12 April 2025

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Plus a bit of cleaning and tidying up.

We were expecting visitors today. John & Marion were coming to dinner. I started in the morning picking some herbs from the garden to go into the rolled breast of lamb, then began searing the meat in the heavy Le Creuset before pouring a fairly hefty amount of red wine into the casserole and setting it to roast for four hours (Gas mark 3.5 if you’re interested). After that I made some bread dough to bake into a loaf. Again, it was a fairly long process, but without too much work on my part.

Meanwhile Scamp was dusting and polishing every conceivable surface in the living room and organising the odds and ends that were being taken up to the spare rooms to make the place look better. Then, now that the kitchen was cleared, she made her take on Ratatouille or “Rats” as she calls it.

With most of my work finished, I hoovered the living room before leaving Scamp to do the work on the kitchen and hall. By the time we were both finished the room looked liveable in!

I gave myself an hour in St Mo’s to look for a photo, but actually found the winner in the front garden. Months ago, Scamp had planted five ‘Rasta’ Tulip bulbs and we had been watching them grow and open up these last couple of weeks. With the sun shining on them, they looked fantastic. One of them made PoD – no contest!

The visitors arrived just on time and I was busy again, serving the roast lamb, but actually the star attraction for me was the Greek salad, Scamp had made. Either that or the Tiramisu that was the dessert.

Once John & Marion left, and we’d loaded and turned on the dishwasher, we sat and watched the F1 GP from Bahrain.

All in all, a busy day, but good to hear news from the visitors side of things.

Tomorrow we might be getting the first rain in a fortnight. Goodby sunshine.

A journey through the past – 18 February 2025

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Today I got the bus in to Glasgow to meet two old friends.

It was a cold bus I got in to Glasgow. By the time I got there my feet were freezing and I went for a walk around town to warm myself up. It was a day for searching out the bits of Glasgow architecture that don’t make the glossy brochures. PoD went to a photo of a couple walking up an alley just off the posh streets. It was the cobbles that took my eye. Just imagine riding down them on a bike! Think of the damage that would do to your tyres and rims, not to mention your posterior!

A month ago, Charlie McKillop had suggested he, Steven Miller and Ian Harrison meet up with me at the Horseshoe Bar in Glasgow for a beer or two and take it from there. In the end, Ian didn’t arrive. Charlie said it’s difficult to get him out these days since he retired. Charlie is the only one of us who is still working. He’s determined to stay on for another year … or so. It was a pity that Ian couldn’t make it, but the three of us had a few beers in the bar and then went upstairs for what Scamp calls “School Dinner Lunch”. It’s quite good description really, except I don’t remember Guinness being on the menu for school dinner. It’s one of the cheapest lunches you’ll find in Glasgow and it’s always freshly cooked.

The Horseshoe hadn’t changed much since the last time I was there with Fred, Ray Jack and Val. Still the same lack of decor or decent seats and with a noise level that increased with ever pint we drank. It seem the fire in the corner has disappeared, but that’s about it. Upstairs there are a couple of big TVs, but no other visible changes. Sometimes it’s best to let a good thing lie instead of trying to pretty it up.

After lunch and a couple more beers, we went our ways. Steven was off home to Hamilton, Charlie and I were heading for the bus station, then home. He to Greenock and me to Cumbersheugh. I really enjoyed the conversation today, and I’d probably do it again some day, when it was a bit warmer.

Thankfully the bus home had a heater and with my fancy headphones on and decent music to listen to, it was a pleasant homeward run.

Tomorrow I expect to do a similar journey, this time meeting Alex in Glasgow and getting the train to Paisley.

Dull and Cold – 11 February 2025

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That sums up this year so far.

Another lazy morning, playing games on our phones and tablets, but finally got our act together and agreed we should go to Waitrose in Stirling for some ‘messages’.

As usual, we spent more than we’d intended and overloaded the poor wee Blue car on the way home. I had intended stopping at Haggs, near Cumbersheugh, to get some photos looking down the Forth & Clyde canal, but the light was so poor, we just continued on our way.

After lunch I went for a walk in St Mo’s, carrying the A7 with it’s usual 24 – 105mm lens, but with the addition of an old 10-20mm Sigma lens I’ve had for years. It only connects to the A7 with an adapter, and the autofocus doesn’t work any more. It’s what photogs call ‘Old Glass’. The actual lens is still immaculate and I don’t mind having to manually focus it. I’d hoped to get a chance to use it today, but the light was too poor to do it justice.

I’d bumped into an old friend out walking her dog. We walked round the pond and discussed our ailments and folk we knew. I often think I’ve got the woes of the world on my shoulders, then I meet someone who has much bigger problems than me. It makes you stop and reassess your life.

When we had completed our circuit she said she was off to exercise her dog and I went for a walk in the woods, still hoping to find those elusive sixteen spot ladybirds that may still be sleeping in the moss at the bottom of the tree. Then I noticed a crack in the bark of a tree with a strange “Thank You” message carved into it. I’d seen the tree and message often in walks in the woods, but the split was new. I’m hoping it’s just the bark that’s split and not something more serious. I’ve often wondered what the message meant. That was my PoD for today.

Don’t know what we’re doing tomorrow. I may have to phone the optician in Larky to get my eyes checked now that the Mr Sharma’s drops seem to have repaired my eye.

 

More of a relaxing day – 29 January 2025

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Today I was meeting Alex for a photo walk around Glasgow on a beautiful, but cold day.

He wanted to go to Guitar Guitar for a new set of strings for his new guitar. I fancied a walk around the Barras or maybe around Glasgow Green. We both achieved our goals. I think my offering of Glasgow Green came from standing for two hours at the Turner exhibition in Edinburgh. I just needed to stretch my legs and straighten my spine.

Scamp gave me a lift to the station and I was comfortably on time to catch the express train to Glasgow. Met up with Alex at the bus station as agreed. After the usual Cafe Nero, we had a long walk down Buchanan Street and along Argyle Street to the guitarist’s Mecca, Guitar Guitar. Once Alex had his strings we walked down Saltmarket and then went through the McLennan Arch and along the avenue to the sadly neglected People’s Palace Wintergarden. Took a few photos there before walking back beside the River Clyde, back to Saltmarket.

From there we walked along Parnie Street which used to have a thriving group of games shops, now nearly all closed. Likewise the host of cafes. We turned right and walk along a narrow lane that eventually took us back to Argyle Street, but not before Alex set up a nice still life with a half empty bottle of Corona Extra on an electricity substation and a view down to the River Clyde. With a few tweaks I used his setup and took a few shots of my own. That photo made my PoD.

After that is was only a couple of zig, zags to reach Paesano. I had my traditional Anchovy and Olive Pizza and rebel Alex had a Vegan pizza with peppers, sliced potatoes and asparagus. I must admit, the colours in it were a sight to behold.

We had a quick look around the GOMA, but there wasn’t much to photograph until Alex found an asian girl with her dog dressed for Lunar New Year in a red embroidered jacket. He (Alex) got photographed by the girl feeding the dog for a ‘project’ she was doing. The biter bit perhaps! A walk up Buchanan Street before we went our separate ways to our buses. Mine was an hour late and then two X3s arrived at the same time. That’s what happens sometimes.

I’m hoping I’ll remember to be out early(ish) tomorrow to go and get the results of my PSA test. Scamp is due a visit to another doc in Coatbridge later.

Today we lost an old friend. Clive Davis passed away today. A lovely man.

Simonne lost an old friend too when her beautiful white horse, Valioso had to be euthanised.

It’s been a sad day.

Sunny and cold today – 15 January 2025

Posted on by Zogman

A lazy morning for Scamp, and for me a successful hour or so of working out how to put my Gmail accounts into the iPhone. These may be famous last words, but I think I’m getting the hang of the iPhone at last. It’s far more complicated and security conscious than the old SE model I had a hundred years ago!

In the afternoon I took a break from technology and drove Scamp up to the fairly new Westway retail park, in what used to be Wardpark, for lunch with the Witches. A few shops, a Home Bargains, a Halfords and a B&Q. Fantastic.

I wasn’t invited nor did I want to be. Instead I drove up to Fannyside on a beautiful cold day with wall to wall blue sky. I only came, as I said, for a break from fighting with an iPhone that wanted my password every few seconds. I parked at a corner by the side of a field full of sheep (The Girls) and went for a walk, heading north-east for about a mile along the single track road and got a few photos, then retraced my steps, back to the car.

I had two cameras and three lenses with me, so I changed cameras and lenses and walked south-east for another three-quarters of a mile before heading back to the car again with very few shots in the bag. Then I noticed that a few of The Girls were wondering what was going on and coming over for a better look. That’s when I got the PoD. I could drive home quite happily now there was something decent in the bag.

Back home I was just making a cup of tea (herbal tea) when Scamp arrived home from lunch with tales of cakes and coffee bought for just a few quid. Who would have thought you’d get decent coffee and a cake at Home Bargains for less than a fiver?

Scamp made dinner tonight and it was Prawn & Pea Risotto. A lovely combination she makes so well. Washed down with a half a bottle of red. Well, it is ‘Hump’ day. Midweek!

Later we watched The Great Scottish Book Club. Always worth a watch, just to make sure you’re not missing anything worthwhile putting on your ‘watch list’.

Tomorrow the plan is to take the bus to Dunfermline over in Fife for a walk in the park and possibly some lunch.

Dining out – 3 January 2025

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But not until about 6pm. Until then we’d need to starve.

We were going out to dinner at John and Marion’s, but were a bit worried about the weather. No snow as yet, that was due for Saturday or Sunday, but there was ice on the paths and no guarantee that we wouldn’t get some snow.

I’m still struggling with the iMac. Ever since New Year I’ve had problems getting the catalog and the photos to work together. I’m beginning to think the old catalog I’ve been cleaning out and reusing for the last three years has become corrupted somewhere along the line.

I spent most of this afternoon finishing off the calendar photos. It took longer than usual because of the problems with the Mac. I think the basic calendar is more or less complete now and I might try a test print tomorrow. No time for one today because it’s getting near time to drive over to Hamilton.

Scamp was looking out the window just now and there was a fox in the front garden. She said it calmly walked across the grass without a care in the world. I didn’t get a chance to see it, but it was time to drive to Hamilton.

Had a great time with J&M and the food was excellent as always. John had even made a loaf of bread for the meal. I was really impressed. He admitted that it was Bread Maker bread, but that doesn’t matter, it’s the taste and the thought that counts. We came a bit earlier than usual with worries about the weather still in our heads.

Later in the evening, when we were home we hears strange noises coming from the bushes across the path from us us and I caught a quick view of a fox. Just a small, young one. We guessed that it was lost and that was reason for all the Yip, Yips coming from the bushes.

PoD was a photo of a Kissibel apple I’d halved and left in the back garden for the blackbirds. I think it might have been frozen solid and was too hard for the blackbirds.

Hoping for a thaw tomorrow.

 

Goodbye 2024 – 31 December 2024

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A bit wet and windy for the last day in 2024.

The morning was devoted to cleaning up the dining room table and it did look better for a while before I messed it up again, but I did get two of my three targets on my To Do list ticks off and another one partially ticked off. It’s an on going list of shortcuts to use in Lightroom.

It wasn’t a day for going out anywhere, even if it was the last day of 2024, but of course I managed an hour out in the park, because that’s what I do. Managed to get two half decent photos, one of which with a bit of jiggery pokery became PoD. It’s a view down that path I’m addicted to. This time it’s sepia toned with a couple of spots of colour to catch the eye.

I bumped into an old friend from school in the park and we walked around St Mo’s discussing the world and our various aches and pains. It’s been ages since I’ve seen her and I thought she was looking a lot older – she probably thought the same of me. We said our goodbyes as the light was failing, she headed back to the park to walk her dog and I plodded off home. Hope you get better soon Susan.

Dinner tonight was a pizza from M&S that was getting near its use by date, but a tin of anchovies on it cheered it up nicely.

I think that is as much as I’m going to do tonight. I might read another chapter of the book Hazy gave me. Really enjoying it H. You always pick such good books. Strange, but interesting too.

We might treat ourselves to a glass of something to see in the bells. I pity the poor folk in Edinburgh who have had their fireworks display cancelled at the last minute because of the high winds and torrential rain that’s predicted for tonight. Or the Australian couple we met on that ill fated train on Friday who were going to Edinburgh hoping to travel to Inverness for “The Bells”. Hope you managed to get there in all the snow, rain, thunder and gusty winds.

That’s about it for now. Hope all our lot and anyone else who reads my ramblings are well and have a Happy and Healthy New Year.

 

Coffee with Fred – 21 December 2024

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I’d a bag of books either owing to him or ones I had read and thought he might appreciate. Coffee at Tesco was the halfway house for both of us.

It had been a dreich day. Sometimes sunny, then it all clouded over. You didn’t know whether to go out for a walk with the risk of getting soaked or stay in and mope about the house wishing you’d gone out after all. As it happened, that halfway house was the ideal solution. We met at 2pm and I had been asked by Scamp to bring home half a dozen eggs and a pizza.

As usual with Fred, talk was one sided. His side. I shouldn’t complain because when I’m out with Alex, I always feel I’m hogging the conversation. Maybe it’s just the same with Fred. We discussed the new Portrait champion of 2024. His merits and his faults. I was surprised at how accommodating Fred was about this young artist, but we were in agreement that he had been tutored or at least assisted by other artists. In a way I felt sorry for him, that he’d landed a big commission, but had he peaked too soon? Only time will tell.
After a flat white each, we both agreed we’d had quite enough poor coffee, worse than Costa and that is a real slur, so we parted ways with an apology from me for forgetting his and Margo’s Christmas card which I’d left at home.

By the time I got home the sun had gone to bed and it was pointless trying for an outside photo. Instead I photographed the wee bear that sits on the Christmas tree. It’s a Christmas tradition to have a photo of Fairy Nuff in her rightful place. A bit like the Royal Family, but more important! That made PoD.

Dinner was the pizza which I did remember to bring (I also remembered to get the eggs too!). For a shop-bought pizza it was very nice. Mozzarella and sun dried tomatoes with a tin of anchovies for extra flavour.

We watched Landward while we were having dinner, and were entranced by tractors somewhere cutting rectangular furrows perfectly straight ones. Fascinating 🤪 ! Then an hour and a half of twenty years of Strictly. I think I preferred the tractors.

Tomorrow we may go out somewhere just for the fun of it and because the days will be getting longer. Today is the shortest day.

 

Looong Day – 8 November 2024

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Scamp was out in the morning to FitSteps and after that, coffee with June. I was rebuilding MacOS Ventura for the third time … or is it fourth?

I spent most of the morning destroying the Crucial SSD that used to run the iMac, and with it, all the operating system and the data. Then I started again from a completely clean disk and reinistalled Ventura, the operating system. When that was done, I plugged in a second SSD and used the built-in Migration Assistant from Ventura to copy the data from the second SSD to the Ventura SSD. I knew this would take a good three hours, because, not only does it copy the data, it also updates it to Ventura at the same time. Rather than sit watching numbers and letters flying across the screen, I went out for a walk in a cold St Mo’s. Spotted two Canada Geese probably overwintering or maybe just dropping in for a rest before travelling further south for the winter. PoD went to a bunch of Flag Lily seedheads I found behind St Mo’s school. They looked like alien creatures or deformed insects, but had lovely deep brown colours.

When I returned, so had Scamp. We had lunch and discussed the morning’s events. I think the ‘tronics stuff went completely over Scamp’s head, much like her dance instructions fly over mine, but it’s still good to discuss these things! The computer seems to have settled down and everything works this time, touch wood.

Then out of the blue I got a message from Ray. I don’t think I’ve had a conversation with him since last Christmas. It seems he has medical problems and is in an old peoples home in Douglas waiting for an op. I was shocked. He asked me for Val’s email address and after confirming with Val that he was happy to give it, I sent it to Ray.

We went to Crawford & Nancy’s for dinner at night. Lots of news exchanged by all of us. Crawford is waiting for a cataract op and has his pre-op next week. He was a lot quieter than his usual which has probably got something to do with the operation. I know I was a bit jittery about my first cataract op, but I did enjoy the month off work it gave me!
Good meal and lots to talk about. We left just before midnight and it was almost straight to bed.

Tomorrow we’ll probably be dancing!