Category: Glasgow

Happy Birthday to me – 8 April 2026

Posted on by Zogman

I had a lovely day today, waited on hand and foot.

Breakfast in bed and lots of cards and prezzies to open, of course, it was my birthday.

Scamp said she was well enough to go in to Glasgow, to Mowgli, a restaurant we found because it looked interesting, almost three years ago. I’d asked for it as my birthday prezzy and Scamp had booked it.

We drove to Croy in the morning and took the train in to Glasgow, after leaving the car in the furthest place in the car park, because there were very few other spaces available. I’d wondered about having a coffee in Glasgow, but Scamp said we didn’t have enough time to search out a Nero and I agreed. Instead we went for one more walk to look at the old Union Street building. It’s still as scary as ever, just thinking about what it could have been like without the work of the fire fighters. It never ceases to amaze me that nobody was killed.

We walked round the boxes that make up the streets in that area of Glasgow and eventually went in to Mowgli. I can’t remember what I had, but I’m sure Scamp will have a note of it somewhere. Since it was my birthday, I asked for the swinging seats. Wooden seats without cushions suspended from the ceiling by ropes. Just a bit of fun. The food was good and I really enjoyed it all, but I ate too much, in fact I can still feel a bit stuffed, hours after we finished our meals. I liked the fact that I had an Old Fashioned (whisky) and a chocolate brownie with ice cream, free because it was my birthday. It was a great meal, just as good as the last time, I can recommend it to you, the next time you’re up our way.

We walked up to Sauchiehall Street when we were done and I got the book, Hazy. Ink& Sigil in Waterstones. I think I’m well stocked up with books now and I’ve still got a book token to spend when I’ve finished this lot.

Scamp drove us back to the house because she hadn’t been drinking anything alcoholic and I had a snooze on the couch! Too much of everything, but that’s what birthdays are for!

Thank you all for making my birthday great. I don’t deserve you lot, but I’m glad you’re there.

PoD was a grab shot of a branch of blossom I took when we got off the train in Croy.

Tomorrow we’re out in the morning and it’s back to “Auld Claes and Purrich”

A walk in the park – 7 April 2026

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Scamp was feeling a bit under the weather this morning.

She had a touch of cystitis and had been quite uncomfortable during the night and morning. She managed to get to speak to a nurse practitioner who gave her a prescription for some pills. I was meeting Alex for a photo walk at midday and said that I could easily cancel, but she wouldn’t hear of it. Once I was sure she was serious about it, I packed my bag and went out to get the bus to Glasgow.

Today I was carrying my new 24-105 lens on a Sony A7iii with a Sony A6500 in my rucksack. That’s just to remind me what I did on this day!

My bus arrived early in Glasgow and that allowed me some time to go for for a walk on my own in the sunshine, around Glasgow city centre. Did some candid photography with the shutter on the camera set to silent. The secret of candids is to wear dull clothing that doesn’t draw attention and also to not look at the person you’re photographing. I don’t really like the sneaky approach, but sometimes it is fun.

I met Alex and we went for a coffee and to discuss where we were going today. Neither of us had a firm plan in mind, so I suggested wandering around the business area across the Clyde and off we went. We were photographing some graffiti artists on the banks of the Clyde when I suggested we cross the river and walk upstream for a different view. Neither of us had been in that direction before, so that would make a change.

We both found a lot of possibilities and new paths that I knew were there, but hadn’t walked. When we reached the second of the two suspension bridges on the river we crossed over to Glasgow Green to see what was happening.

An Easter Fair was what was happening and it looked like it was going “Like a Fair”, literally. Unfortunately we’d need to pay up-front to get in and we weren’t desperate, so we just went for a walk over Glasgow Green. After that we wandered in the general direction of Paesano for lunch.

When we left Paesano we wandered round to see the burned out building in Gordon Street, because Alex had never seen the damage that had been done a month or so ago. Another cup of coffee in Nero and we were heading for the bus station and home. Except, Cathedral Street was closed for road works and there was a collision further along from there. Long story short, what should have been a 45min bus journey turned out to be a two hour slog through homeward bound traffic.

PoD was a candid shot of a man in a soft hat just like my dad used to wear. Taken in the Buchanan Bus station.

Tomorrow Scamp and I are probably going back to Glasgow again. Gluttons for punishment!!

 

Out on the town – 26 March 2026

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Not just any old town, this was Glasgow town. I was meeting Alex for a photo walk.

A photo walk that would start in Caffè Nero, as most of our photo walks do. We’d intended going to Paisley if the weather was fine and if it wasn’t we were heading for Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in the West End. After some discussion we agreed that we’d get the bus out to Kelvingrove because there were occasional rain showers and the weather wasn’t great. Before we went there, I wanted a look at a replacement Sony 24-105mm lens and by luck they did have one on display in Jessops. It’s not my favourite photo shop, but their price for the lens was just the same as any other of the shops I’d looked at online or in the photo shops. I had a look at the lens and a listen to make sure there were no squeaks or squeals from it and that put my mind at rest. I thanked the assistant for the chance to test it. I might just buy it some day soon.

With that done we walked round to the bus station and just managed to catch the bus to Kelvingrove. The Art Galleries hadn’t changed much, but they rarely do change their exhibits. I walked round the outside of the building to get some architectural photos while Alex went looking for something new to photograph inside. I did get a few photos of the old sandstone building and fancied that one of them would make a decent photo. In fact, it made PoD, there being no real contenders to take its place.

We met up again inside and Alex suggested we go for lunch. We both went for a sandwich. The food in Kelvingrove is really quite excellent, and quick service too. Another walk round and we bought a few things in the shop, then we caught a bus back to town.

Another coffee in Waterstones and we walked down to the bus station. Where we parted company and decided we’d pick somewhere we hadn’t been for a while for our next jaunt. Possibly along the coast if the weather was kind to us.

Back home and with a plate of soup on our laps we settled to try out Wordle because neither Scamp nor I had attempted it. We pooled our collective knowledge and managed to outwit the puzzle setter.

Later we watched the final of Masterchef The Professionals. For once, I got it right.

Tomorrow, Scamp is intending to go to her last FitSteps class. She thinks it may be the last one of all, as the numbers are dropping away. I’d just say “Never say Never”.

Happy Birthday Scamp – 24 March 2026

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Breakfast in bed for her, then after selecting one of her ball gown, we headed off to Glasgow for a wander and lunch.

We got the bus to Glasgow and it was a slow bus that chugged away through every township on the way and stopped at every bus stop, I think. But we mustn’t complain, it didn’t cost us anything with our Bus Pass. The SNP are good for one thing at least!

Coffee in a Nero with a Cinnamon Swirl. The pastry was good, but it was a weak version of coffee in my cup – never happy!

We walked down to see the progress that was being made at the site of the fire from a couple of weeks ago. It’s still an alien place, nothing like the building that had stood there for all those years. However, work is being done and something will take its place soon, I’m sure.

Scamp fancied going to one of the restaurants in the Merchant City. It was her day, so she got to choose. She picked Santa Lucia near The Italian Kitchen.

Her starter was Cozze Ai Pomodorini. Shetland mussels with garlic, chillies, and cherry tomatoes. Her main was Sea Bass with Veg and a Lemon Butter sauce.

My starter was Bruschetta Classica. Chargrilled sourdough topped with a vibrant mix of cherry tomatoes and fresh basil. My main was Caserecce Salsiccia e Nduja. Twisted pasta with Italian sausage and spicy Nduja sauce.

Both washed down with a bottle of wine.

Good food in a place we hadn’t visited before. I think we’ll be back.

I had no camera with me today, on purpose, but walking back to the city centre I saw a nice shiny black car covered in raindrops with the message ‘Mother of the Bride’. And a few ribbons tied to the mirrors. That was an easy PoD!

We got the X3 bus back home absolutely stowed and with people standing upstairs and down. I think that’s actually illegal, but we weren’t caring, because we had a seat! The usual noisy, cheeky weans got on at Muirhead and began to show off that they could swear. They should be made to walk home from school. I had to do it!

We walked back from the bus stop in the rain and Scamp was just in time to catch a phone call from Hazy. I let them talk because it wasn’t my day.

Tomorrow we’ve business to do in Hamilton.

A belated blog post – 17 March 2026

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A wet day and a late night.

Scamp had Calendula to drop off at Isobel’s in the morning, so we drove down to the village, and handed them over. Stopped off at M&S on the way home looking for some fruit, but as usual there were none to be seen. Why is it that the smaller Tesco and M&S outlets hardly ever carry a full stock of the fruit and veg, while the larger shops have a glut of them and are selling them off as yellow ticket, almost out of date, items? Surely it’s not beyond the wit of the providers to provide! We drove home without the fruit and veg we’d stopped for.

In the afternoon, and after lunch I went for a walk in St Mo’s while Scamp stayed at home. A bunch of mushrooms at the side of the path through the trees caught my eye and in a short dry spell, I managed to get a few shots them for a PoD. Back home I did a bit of research and the outcome was that they were likely to be related to the Ink Cap family. So said Google and who was I to argue.

We were off in the evening for dinner with Crawford and Nancy in Larky. The rain had returned as a constant drizzle that is more annoying than full force rain. The wipers never really settle down to be intermittent of on full in that kind of weather, but we arrived in Larky at about our predicted time

A lovely dinner and a good blether with discussions of holidays, cruises and aches and pains. We’re off that age now when these things are important! We left just before midnight and were cruising along nicely when we saw that our exit from the motorway was closed, presumably for roadworks. Not to worry, we’d the sat nav on and we’d just pick it up at the next exit, except, it too was closed. After a lot of missed exits and more road closures, Scamp finally found a route through the east end of Glasgow and we emerged onto the M73 and back home just before 1am. Cup of tea and off to bed. Glad that drive was over.

Tomorrow, we’ll have a long lie in.

 

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.

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 afternoon in the Toon – 9 February 2026

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This afternoon we drove in to Glasgow, looking for a table cover.

Every time I drive in to Glasgow these days there is another road pattern to negotiate. Today was no exception. Where there had been two narrow lanes to reach Buchanan Galleries, today it was one single lane going downhill. How you get back up that hill is anybody’s guess.

I did get parked in the Buchanan Galleries and chose a suitable table cover to give our Christmas table cover a wee rest. I’m typing on the ‘Snowman’ table cover that’s been on the round living room table since mid December 2025. Hopefully we’ll replace it with the new one tomorrow.

With the table cover purchased, we went our separate ways. Scamp went to do some shopping in Glasgow and after dropping off the table cover I went to the Nile Barber to get my hair cut. We met up back in Buchanan Galleries and drove home.

I’d grabbed a couple of photos when I was walking back from the barber. One photo of some pink primulas became PoD. I was tempted to remove the photobomber who walked past the flowers just as I clicked, but then I realised he was part of the image and kept it in.

We went to Kirsty’s dance class in the early evening and found instead of six of us preparing for the Quickstep, there were five children of varying ages and two adults who seemed to have turned up out of the blue. I pitied Kirsty who had to teach six adults who were looking forward to the quickstep class and at the same time teach seven children and adults who looked as if they hadn’t danced in years. Hopefully everything will work out fine next week. I hope so.

We have no plans for tomorrow.

The Continuation – 30 January 2026

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Now that I’ve whetted you appetite, here is the continuation and the explanation …

After I’d visited the skips and disposed of the unwanted goods, I drove up to Torwood Garden centre and spoke to one of the ladies who work there and asked her a strange question:

“Do you still have those ceramic chickens?”

She didn’t think they did still have them, but passed me over to a manager who said “Yes, we do still have them”.
The garden centre has been having a make-over since Christmas and everything seems to be a bit shambolic, but she took me to where about a dozen ceramic chickens were standing on a couple of wooden shelves. I chose one and paid for it right away. I don’t know what the sales ladies thought I was going to do with it! What I did do was wrap it up in some bubble wrap and tuck it into a box in the boot of the car, ready to be revealed on the 30th, today.

The Explanation:

Today, the 30th of January, is our unofficial anniversary. I won’t give away the date, but it’s quite a while ago! I wanted to surprise Scamp with a ceramic chicken. She had fallen for a comical black chicken during the summer and seemed so pleased with it in its place in the garden. The new one was a white chicken and looked just as cute as the first one. Today I presented her with a green compost bag and inside was the white chicken. I do believe she was quite delighted with the prezzy. She handed me a poly bag and inside it was two pairs of socks. Not just any old socks, but Merino wool socks of different colours, so I can wear different socks on each foot! Thank you Scamp.

To celebrate our special day, we got the bus to Glasgow, walked down to Central Station and caught a train to Mount Florida. We walked along Battlefield Road and reached the Battlefield Rest where we’d booked lunch.

For a starter, Scamp had Mussels in a Rich Tomato Sauce. I had Tomato and Black Olive Focaccia with a traditional Caprese salad.

For a main Scamp had Smokie Crepe stuffed with smoked haddock, salmon, and creamed cabbage, topped with tomato sauce and cheese. I had tomato risotto with Nduja, chicken and chorizo.

A generous glass of Malbec each to help wash it all down and to finish, coffee and a small glass of Jura for me and for Scamp it was Kahlua and a latte!

Phew! That was a lunch to remember!

We got the train back to Glasgow and had a quick wander round John Lewis looking for a new table cover. Too awkward to get it home on the bus, so we may go back soon to get one.

PoD was a view down one of the alleys that lead off Buchanan Street. That was about it for the day. Wasn’t it enough? We thought so. A very good day.

The diet probably starts tomorrow!!

Out on the town – 23 December 2025

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Just me and a camera. Scamp wasn’t invited. This was a man’s Christmas Shopping expedition.

Actually, it was a bit early for Christmas shopping, if I’m truthful. Usually I try to get all my prezzies organised and bought by the end of play on the 24th, and today was only the 23rd. But, let’s not quibble about a day, I was in shopping mode.

First I dropped in at the Apple shop, trying to find out why I couldn’t get the same controls on my iMac that I have on my MBP. It was while I was explaining the problem with a Genius that I realised my mistake. It wasn’t an Apple problem, it was a Lightroom one. Apple and Adobe are two different companies and I was trying to cure an Adobe problem by talking to an Apple person. He did offer a solution which went part way to become the answer, but emphasised that he was speaking as an Apple authority, not an Adobe rep. I thanked him and left before I made any more foolish mistakes.

I walked back down Buchanan Street going over and over what he said and taking a few photos too. PoD went to the Balloon Man who stands at the corner of Buchanan Street and Gordon Street, twisting and turning balloons into squeaky shapes that balloons aren’t really meant to be twisted into. It’s only when you examine his twists and turns, you realise what he’s doing and the shape suddenly changes from a saggy balloon into a Mickey Mouse or a Bow and Arrow. The best thing about him is that he never speaks to the adults, only the kids. They love him and listen intently to his stories. Clever guy!

I wandered further down Buchanan Street, but the light was getting poor, so I headed back up and made the daft decision to get the subway out to Byres Road to buy another box of Pastéis de Nata for Scamp and me to share. Well, I had lots of time, and could afford to be daft. I was standing right outside the entrance to the underground, so went in and I got a return ticket. About twenty minutes later, I emerged from the same entrance with my yellow box of little pies. On the way I picked up the last of my Christmas Presents and headed for the bus. I loaded my phone with some new music and relaxed into the music, gazing at the darkening sky as the bus took me home.

Back home, Scamp suggested I use up a couple of egg yolks to make Pasta Carbonara. It’s ages since I last made it and I think I made a good fist of it, although I must admit it wasn’t my best, but practise will help there.

We watched a couple of Christmas University Challenge programs. One fairly up to date, presented by Amol Rajan and another a bit older, chaired by Jeremy Paxman. Two totally different approaches to the same quiz.

We got some photos from Jamie and Simonne from Trinidad. It looks lovely, even if Jamie was bitten a fair bit by midges!

That was about it for the day. Dinner was good. Pastéis de Nata were good. What’s not to like

Hopefully tomorrow will consist of wrapping prezzies and tidying. Wrapping can be fun, but tidying? Maybe not so much!