Glasgow – Page 41 – My Photo Blog

Bike Porn – 4 September 2016

Posted on September 4, 2016September 5, 2016 by Zogman

Today, for the first time ever, or at least for a number of years, the Tour of Britain cycle race started from Glasgow.

We drove in early to be sure of getting a good place and spent an hour or so wandering around the pits, with me marvelling at the equipment on display. All of it shiny and clean. Something you can’t say about my own bike. There were bikes everywhere. On the team cars there were wheels, frames, complete bikes. Enough to cover every eventuality. As well as equipment, there were also the mobile homes for the teams. Scamp was wondering why someone called Wiggins needed two mobile homes, and if he was actually in one of them. The enormous crowd round them seemed to think he was. I did actually grab a shot of him later in one of the race pics. Unfortunately, I wasn’t actually focusing on him, but rather on the rider behind him as he was wearing a white top that helped the camera achieve focus better than on the superstar in front.

After our *’pit walk’* we walked over to the corner of George Street and Montrose street to get a good view of them coming along the straight. After the usual preliminaries of motorcycles, polis and team cars, the juniors came through, followed a few minutes later by the professionals. That’s when I noticed the error on the card – not writing! Flicked the card out and wrote to the other card. One big benefit of the D7000 is its two card slots. I got a few shots there, but they were only cruising at this time, just the warm-up for the real race. After the warm-up we had a few minutes to choose a different viewpoint and I moved round the corner a bit to get some shots of the riders coming round that tight bend before climbing up the fairly steep hill towards Cathedral Street. Scamp stayed almost where she was to act as a spotter! We had a bit of entertainment when a guy on the First Aid bike bravely pedaled up Montrose Street to a massive cheer from the crowds.

Scamp tipped me the wink that the peloton was coming and I got ready. Hammered off about ten shots as they rounded the bend and hoped for the best, then the camera jammed. Don’t know yet what it was. Yes, the buffer was full and emptying itself, but the lens wouldn’t focus. Swore for a bit, but I’d got most of the photos I wanted. Then as mysteriously the problem went away and I got some shots of the cavalcade of team cars driving up Montrose Street.

I thought they had another lap to do round the city centre circuit, so we wandered down to Ingram Street, but they had gone past on Clyde Street and over the bridge heading for Castle Douglas and we were heading home. Before we went I got a photo of a bloke standing across the road. We’re both sure it’s Scamp’s cousin, an ex-polis who took early-early-retirement and went to live in Spain. Home on holiday or another Brexit Exit? We’ll never know because she wasn’t absolutely certain it was him.

Had lunch and watched another *’exciting’* F1 GP, at least that’s what the over-enthusiastic Ben Edwards told us. I think he must have been watching a different race, or maybe you just had to be there.

Sunday Social in the early evening was good, except there seemed to be two salsa tracks to one bachata which became boring after a while. One or two bachata dances a night are good enough for me. Tonight was overkill. We think someone wanted extra practise time. Spoke to Carol and Ailsa whom we haven’t seen for ages. Sti.

Rain forecast for tomorrow, but it had been a lovely sunny day today. Just right for a nice bike ride.

Total abstinence is an impossibility – 31 August 2016

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Zogman

Not a lot to say about today, other than the six Auld Guys met up in the Horseshoe Bar for a few drinks, a cheap lunch, a few more drinks and a lot of good natured banter. It was great fun and for once there were no arguments, even when conversation turned to politics. The title of the blog post is one of the quotes painted, properly painted by a skilled signwriter on the inside of the gantry of the Horseshoe Bar. It’s attributed to Queen Victoria, but there is no proof that she drank in this pub.

From visiting one of the oldest pubs in Glasgow I had a look in one of the newest places, the Apple Shop in Buchanan Street. It only opened on Saturday after an eight month refit. It’s now much more open inside, but unfortunately they removed the glass staircase. Such a shame. It also looks as if they have removed the upper floor which housed the ‘Genius Bar’. That’s not such a big deal as I never actually found any ‘Geniuses’ there.

Only one photo today, there were more serious things on my mind today like a few drinks, a cheap lunch, a few more drinks and a lot of good natured banter. The building is the Premier Inn which, like the Apple shop was recently renovated. In my opinion they turned an ordinary building into a really ugly one. Kind of suits this area of Glasgow.

Don’t know what’s on the cards for tomorrow. It all depends on the weather.

Lighthouse and Lightroom – 23 August 2016

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Zogman

Now that normal service has been resumed to the train line into Glasgow, I accepted Scamp’s kind offer of a lift to the station today to travel into ‘The Toon’ to visit a photographic exhibition in the Lighthouse. The cunningly titled “Nobody’s Home’ by John Maher ex-Buzzcocks. The blurb says: “John’s photographs of decaying man-made objects set against a backdrop of stunning Hebridean landscapes have appeared in a wide variety of publications.” I’ll bet they have. These are beautiful photographs up to about 2m square, obviously taken on a large format camera and mostly with wide or ultra wide angle lenses. Some looked very staged with incongruous articles lying around the rooms. I find it hard to believe that the average Harris crofter would have time or inclination to read Good Housekeeping magazine. The lighting in some was confused to say the least with general illumination being achieved with ‘light painting’ using torches I expect. However, it’s the textures he achieves that really impressed me. That and the colours. While the photos are restrained, they aren’t dull. An hour well spent I think.

After wandering around the gallery, I went for a wee bit of climbing, taking the stairs up to the viewing gallery at the top of the Macintosh water tower in the building. Strangely, my iPhone didn’t manage to record any flights of stairs climbed! Possibly it was just a case of information overload. It just couldn’t believe I could climb that many steps so quickly. The weather wasn’t as good as it was down London way where the mercury was reaching over 30ºc and wall to wall sunshine. In Glasgow it was more like half that temperature and wall to wall grey. However, I still managed to get the shots I wanted of the backs of well known streets and interesting ‘looking down’ views. Then I got the train back home and got a lift from Scamp back home. Macaroni Cheese for dinner Hazy! Lovely. Then I dumped the photos into the Mac and that’s where Lightroom worked on the Lighthouse shots. A tenuous link, I know, but a link none the less. Here’s another link. This one will take you to John Maher’s website. Clicking on the mosaic at the top is another link, the usual one to my Flickr page!

Cushions – 20 August 2016

Posted on August 20, 2016 by Zogman

Some people will complain about anything. Today as we were getting off the bus in Glasgow, one wee woman was berating the driver because the seats were too hard on the bus. She told him in no uncertain terms that he should be supplying cushions for the seats. The poor man just agreed with her. It was certainly the path of least resistance today. The bus he was driving was definitely a bit rickety and seemed to be playing the complete percussion section of the First Bus Orchestra all by itself, but cushions? I think that might be a step too far.

We had been promised rain today and we got it in abundance. After walking down Buchanan Street in the rain, it simply got heavier as we waited to see the Gay Pride march go past. We felt really sorry for them plodding along in the rain trying to look suitably festive in their rainbow capes, rainbow flags and rainbow scarves, soaked to the skin. Scamp was looking for one of her friends who was supposed to be taking part, but she later confessed that said friend was probably still in the pub. I might have felt sorry for the marchers, but I felt even more sympathy for the poor drivers in town who had to sit and wait for about half an hour for the parade to pass through, with only two short breaks to allow the traffic jam to partly clear. Polis were nowhere to be seen at any of the road junctions. Total shambles.

Lunch was a pizza each in Mediterranianeo in Ingram Street, then we went for a walk in the rain to get a couple of DVDs for tonight’s viewing and avoid another night of the dreadful Rio Olympics. Then it was home again on the bus, and who was sitting behind us? That’s right, that same wee woman. It was a different bus from the one we went in on and the seating on this one was far superior. I don’t know if she critiqued the cushioning as she left the bus, but I wouldn’t have put it past her. See JIC, it’s not just me.

Dry weather forecast for tomorrow. Not sunny, but dry. We’ll take that.

Fanatics, Festivals and Food, always Food – 30 July 2016

Posted on July 30, 2016 by Zogman

E7301117- flickr--212 Today was the start of the Merchant City Festival and we usually try to visit at least once during the week or the weekend, depending on how long it runs. This year it’s for a whole week. What we didn’t know, well I didn’t know, because Scamp with her ear to everything that’s going on everywhere had already heard that there was a YES2 rally in George Square. Oh dear, I fear I may offend some people here, so if you have nationalist tendencies, it’s probably better that you go in to the kitchen now. I’ll call you back when I’ve finished denouncing Nick the Chick and all her deluded followers.

I don’t know who was selling the big saltire flags (probably made in China), but they were doing a roaring trade. The world and his wife seemed to have one. If you weren’t waving your flag, you had to wear it, like a cheapo Superman cape. We even saw a couple of dogs wearing them, but they didn’t look as excited as their owners. Most of the participants had at least some blue paint on their faces too, trying to look like William Wallace, the famous Mel Gibson look-a-like. E7301119- flickr--212 There were even some English Scots. I do not know what that was all about. One incensed bloke was bawling into a microphone connected to a loudspeaker. I really should have told him that the purpose of the loudspeaker was to avoid him having a very sore throat the next day. The clue is in the first syllable of LOUDspeaker. He was saying “WE’RE NOT LIKE THE OTHER PARTY” Which other party was never made clear. “WE’RE HAPPY TO LET ANYONE SPEAK. ANYONE CAN COME HERE AND SPEAK” as he held on grimly to his microphone. Everyone else who had come to the rally, and there were hundreds of them, was pumped up with excitement and national fervour. You could easily tell the tourists. They were the ones wandering around, without flags, but with confused looks on their unpainted faces. As I walked through the throngs I was amazed by the amount of excitement and happiness. Give a boy and girl flags to wave on a sunny day and they’ll be happy. Give them their own country to run? Aye Right!

I enjoyed looking at the motorbikes, none of which were made in Scotland. Scamp just looked embarrassed.

Right you, you can come back out of the kitchen now. The bad bit’s finished.

Wandered down to the Merchant City to see what was happening. As usual there were crowds of people there. A few ‘maddies’ wandering around entertaining the punters, like the four blokes standing on one of the marble ‘pews’ in the pedestrian area. They were spray tanned, wearing plastic nappies and miming in harmony – think synchronised swimming on land … with nappies! Bands were playing their wee hearts out and food stalls were selling every kind of food imaginable. You could even challenge Andy Murray Live to return two of his serves. One man said “It’s no’ even the real wan! It’s jist a big TV screen.” Come on pal, what did you expect? The double winner of Wimbledon standing there trading shots and insults with the cream of Glasgow’s shell suit wearing tennis afficionados? I don’t think so.

E7301121- flickr--212 Maybe it was the smell of the street food, but we both agreed it was lunch time and headed off towards the Italian Kitchen. Lovely lunch. It’s far too long since we last darkened its doors. Hopefully it won’t be long before we are back. Scamp had Salmon with a pesto sauce fried potatoes and a side salad. I had salsiccia and chilli pizza

On the bus back, one wee boy recognised me as his ex-teacher (I nearly slipped up there and said ‘old’ teacher). Scamp said “You see, somebody remembers you!” That kind of made my day a bit brighter.

Joke:

A Scotsman, and Englishman and an Irishman go in to a bar, but they couldn’t stay. They had to come out, because the Englishman didn’t like it.

A more relaxing day – 22 July 2016

Posted on July 22, 2016 by Zogman

Today was a day for relaxing after the last couple of driving days.

We were intending getting the bus in to Glasgow, but as the rain was pelting down (the garden needs it), we changed plans and drove in. For lunch we went to the Chinese restaurant on Sauchiehall Street (AKA Sausage Roll Street) where Scamp used to take her mum for lunch. We’d been there before. It always was in the “Cheap and Cheerful” category, but today it was only “Cheap”. The food left a lot to be desired. My Sweet and Sour Chicken was tasteless, apart from the sickly sauce. Scamp’s Chicken Pineapple was also tasteless. I don’t think we’ll be back. I think we might be spoilt by Cotton House.

After we came back, I went to get petrol because we’d used up all the Chessington petrol from yesterday. Then I went for a walk down the Luggie Water. Not a lot there to photograph apart from some early fruiting rasps. Drove over to Moodiesburn then over the back road and found some horses in a field. Took Harry the Horse’s photo, and drove home.

Jackie, Scamp’s sister and her husband referred to previously as Murd were on the way north from Southampton and I was going to give them a lift from Glasgow. That was before they got caught up in an almighty traffic jam just before Tebay services. They were due in Glasgow around 7.30pm. It’s now 10.30pm and they’re still not here. They told us they would get a taxi from Glasgow instead of tying up my night, which was very good of them.

A relaxing day for us, but maybe not for Jackie and Murd

Don’t know what we’re doing tomorrow. To quote Scamp “It depends on the weather”

Fitba’ Crazy – 12 July 2016

Posted on July 12, 2016July 12, 2016 by Zogman

So here am I, the man who says he’s only been to one football match in his life, sitting in the stand watching the Homeless World Cup in George Square in Glasgow. How strange.

I just thought I should write a wee bit on Day One while I was sitting in George Square waiting for the teams to come out again for the second half. I don’t know why I was so determined to go to this football thing. I think it was the fact that it wasn’t expensively paid prima donnas who were the stars, in fact it was exactly the opposite. The people who were playing and those who were running the show were homeless and for a week they were stars. Good luck to them. If I could have managed the time I’d have gone back for more.

Other than that, I put my sewing machine experience to work on repairing three pairs of jeans. I’d torn the pockets on a couple of pairs and worn through the pocket on another – not from my mass of coins, but from the wear and tear caused by my keys. I managed to fix two pairs by my own fair hands and the third with a little help from Scamp. Really quite proud of my achievement. If I hadn’t gone to that Sew Macho class in Glasgow way back in January, I wouldn’t have had a clue. Not quite Sewing Bee standard yet, but finished what I set out to do and that’s what counts.

It stayed dry all day. While I was watching the football in Glasgow there was the slightest drizzle, but it didn’t last long and it didn’t get any heavier, in fact, the sun came out after that for a while. For Scotland, for summer, it was actually quite pleasant. Let’s hope it’s the re-start of summer.

Dull, dull, dull – 9 July 2016

Posted on July 9, 2016July 9, 2016 by Zogman

From start to almost finish today we’ve been labouring under grey skies. Occasional showers of drizzle made things even more miserable although it did brighten up in the evening for an hour or so before sunset. We got the bus in to town in the morning and found some Spanish sun in Cafe Andaluz, always a bright spot on a dull day. Tapas and a glass of red made the day that little bit better.

Loads of activity in ‘The Toon’ with groups of Street Soccer players wandering around. George Square has been transformed for the event. I might drop in some time this week to see if there are any ‘photo opportunities’.

Got some paint in Cass Art. It’s times like this that you realise how much you miss the Art Store. Millers used to be an alternative too, but the half pan of paint I was buying was over 50% more expensive in Millers than in Cass Art. That’s just greed.

Maybe I’m a traditionalist, but the move to paperless transactions does annoy me at times. It’s nice to get a paper receipt that you can check while you are still in the shop. You can’t do that with an electronic emailed receipt. My e-receipt today was for £9.90 and that was what I was charged in the shop. The itemised bill was for:

Liquitex Ink 30ml Carbon Black £4.95
Liquitex Ink 30Ml Tit White £4.95
Total £9.90

What I actually bought was:

Liquitex Ink 30ml Tit White £4.95
W&N Mauve Half Pan £4.00
Total £8.95

That’s nearly a pound difference and I’m a pensioner (shades of Grandpa Charlie). Where the Carbon Black came from I’ll never know. Where the Mauve Half Pan went, I’ll also never know. What a White Tit is, well, that’s anyone’s guess.
The moral of the story is, be a bastard sometimes, insist on a paper receipt and check it before you leave the shop. If there is a difference between what you bought and what you paid for, kick up a stink. Unless, of course, you profited from the error. Charlie Christie rules OK!

Independence Day – 24 June 2016

Posted on June 24, 2016June 26, 2016 by Zogman

Wasn’t that the title of a disaster movie from the ’90s? Looks like it’s also a disaster reality of the mid early 20teens too. I couldn’t believe that two bumbling idiots, well three if you include Gove, managed to persuade 51odd precent of the British public that they could actually sail us through the uncharted waters of a Brexit withdrawal from the EEC. I’m not a great supporter of the EEC, but much better the devil you know than the devils with no brains and no policies. It’s like the Monster Raving Loonie Party winning a general election and suddenly finding they had to make up a parliament. I don’t for one minute believe that these Spitting Image puppets could make a decision without phoning their mummy. It will be as one ex colleague said tonight: “There are interesting times ahead”. I think there’s a Chinese curse along the lines of: “May you live in interesting times”.

I went in to Glasgow tonight to a retiral ‘do’ for a couple of teachers from my old school. It was good to see some old faces that I recognised from the past. Other teachers that had found the light at the end of the tunnel was sunlight. Good to see that others are still making their way towards it. Also good to see that there are others still attempting to climb that greasy pole. Good luck with that, people.

Extra! Extra! – 6 June 2016

Posted on June 6, 2016 by Zogman

I got the train in to Glasgow today. The fast train, but also a bit of mystery tour. What should have been a 15 min journey took just over half an hour. The reason was the closure of the tunnel at Queen Street Station. They are electrifying the line and are using that as a chance to repair the tunnel that hasn’t had any decent work done in it for over forty years. I knew it would be a long journey, but I wanted to experience the trip through stations I hadn’t been to in ages. Ashfield, Dawsholm Park, Maryhill. All names from the past. I quite enjoyed it.

I’d gone in to Glasgow to get a 37mm UV filter for my new toy, the 12-32mm lens. This 37mm diameter piece of glass cost me £18 in Merchant City Cameras in Parnie Street. That’s almost 50p per millimeter. Ok, pedants, I know it’s not really 50p per mm, but 3.4p per mm² doesn’t have the same gravitas!

While I was coming to terms with the hole this filter had made in my finances, I noticed the crowd outside the Trans Europe Cafe in Parnie Street. It looked like a Lights, Camera, Action thing and after talking to one of the extras, well, I think he was an extra, it wasn’t Johnny Depp. I’m sure I’d have notice him if he was there. Anyway, the extra told me that it was a comedy being made for Netflix. I don’t think I’ll ever see it, because we don’t have a Netflix, just a ‘cooncil telly’.

Got the rattliest bus ever home and sat in the garden to soak up as much of the sun as possible while Gems went through their paces. Thunder storms and heavy rain forecast for tomorrow. Coming home from salsa tonight, even the CITRAC signs were forecasting heavy rain and they are never wrong (sarcasm).