Introducing - Issi Wilson, November, 2006.

Our long time friend and his family from Los Angeles were over for a holiday and family wedding a few weeks ago and we had a fab day out in the West End. So much so that it inspired me to write it down and send it to Pat's West End Website.

Meeting up early at their hotel, the Kelvingrove Hotel, a small family run hotel in Sauchiehall Street, we went first to the Kelvingrove Park. It is a very impressive setting with the University of Glasgow sitting high on the hill. Katy the youngest in our party aged 3 loved the toddlers' play park. It was a good way for her to get rid of some energy after the long journey from L.A. She loved all the play equipment and especially the train and the chute. It took a lot to convince her to leave and come with us to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Only the suggestion that she would see one of her favourite beasties, a dinosaur, persuaded her.

I had never been to the Art Galleries since they had re-opened this year waiting to go on this family trip. There was so much to see that we never made it past the ground floor. Katie loved the "Mini Museum" and of course Katie saw her dinosaur. Mel kept asking if all the animals were once real, the section explaining taxidermy was very useful in convincing her. Our family loved the Scottish Natural History section and was interested in all the different animals. The Mackintosh Room and Glasgow Style was lovely. I liked the work of Jessie King and liked looking at the dress design and needlework. The art Nouveau jewellery was lovely, inspired by nature and I liked the way the displays had images of the birds and butterflies which inspired the design. We rounded off our visit to the Art Galleries with the Scottish Colourists.

Needing something to eat after all our walking round the Art Galleries we went to Beanscene across the road. Staff were very friendly as we descended upon them pushchair and all and they assisted us in finding enough space to enjoy our coffee and sandwiches.

From Beanscene we went Eunice Whyte in Partick to look for some lovely traditional Scottish Knitwear - not cheap but of really good quality. I even indulged myself in a black cashmere cardigan. Mel bought a lovely dark red Fairisle cardi and Nicole bought a cashmere Burberry scarf.

On up Byres Road as I wanted to take Katie to the Sentry Box, the traditional toy shop off Byres Rd, in order that she could choose a wee toy from the pocket money counter.

Of course we had to look in Sandalwood and of course Marianne bought a great pair of ART shoes for the winter.

We had to do a detour into Tennents Bar for a pee. Unfortunately due to Scottish licensing restrictions we could not go in with a child, so Davy and Kenny had to look longingly at the Deuchars.

The Sentry Box lived up to its attraction for children and after a good look round Katie eventually choose a Cat mask. Nicole bought some Fuzzy Felt to take back home as a gift.

After wandering down Cresswell Lane to have a look at the interesting mural on the back wall of the Western Baths.

(Kenny and Mel then went home for a rest)

Nicole, Katie, Davy, Marianne and me completed our afternoon with a walk in the Botanic Gardens complete with a single nougat ice cream each. Of course Katie had to have another half-hour in the children's playground. We then walked along the Kelvin Walk Way to come out back into Kelvingrove Park and back to the hotel. During the walk we saw lots of wildlife including ducks and herons. Some fishermen were keen to show Katie their catch of eels and she shared her beechnuts with them.

We could not have had a better afternoon in Glasgow the weather was lovely for late September and everyone we met was very friendly and helpful.

That evening we had dinner in BLAS. (Opposite the Art Galleries). I had found the restaurant recommended on Pat's Web site and it certainly lived up to its recommendation. We arrived at 7p.m. and did not leave until after 10p.m. The staff were very friendly and willing to chop and change the menu to suit our needs. Marianne (who is eighteen) had pasta from the children's menu while ordering a G&T!!

I had a great day. I felt like a tourist in my own city. Everyone we met was so helpful and friendly and we all experienced Glasgow's West End was a beautiful and interesting place.

And then there was Sunday??. But that is another story!

Issi Wilson