Added on Monday 9 May 2005

Lately,life has been full of trauma, shocks and surprises and I have been a bit tardy in updating my diary, however, one of the good things about running into difficulties is that you suddenly see, and hear from, a lot more of your friends. And that is very nice.

Some members of my counselling and support team include: Anne, Ann, Val, Rosemary, Jackie, Eleanor, Joan and Issi, who have been on the scene to drink tea and ferry me all over the place and provide online support - so thank you gals. I was also very pleased to have a visit from my old friend Maureen Maille, over on a trip to Glasgow from Montpellier, and we enjoyed a wander together around the Botanics. So, despite adversary I've been, as per usual, hanging out in the West End and trying to work out the meaning of life? who's doing what? and what is happening?

For one thing OranMor - about to reach its first birthday - is having a huge impact on the area - currently jumping to the beat of Big Big Country, Glasgow's Festival of Americana. If you haven't made it along yet then book up for a great night out or try the lunchtime theatre. Rena and I went along to see Peter McDougall's play - 'My Brother's Suit' with Robbie Coltrane - the tickets went like hotcakes for this production and we had to stand at the back because we were a bit late but is was marvellous. Even Billy Connolly was there. I'm intent on making arrangements to see Jackie Kay's play, her book 'Trumpeter' is amazing and I hear that there could be a film. It would also be great to see the contribution from our new poet laureate Liz Lochead.

Also looming is the 10th West End Festival, which kicks off on 9th June and Jim and I went along to the launch in Gong, where I enjoyed chatting to Jess and Lynne, our What's On and Arts contributors. At the WEF this year there will be lots of great free events, fabulous acts, walks, talks, music and theatre and of couse the Street Party on 12th - with the parade starting at the Botanics. Wonderful news is that this year there will also be Street Parties in Partick and Hillhead. Good to see that their website, and their brochure showing lots of Jim's photographs.

Now that he is working full time for himself he is in full flight undertaking web accessibility consultancy and designing and developing websites. The Guild of Accessible Webdesigners is doing well and Loris, Jim's band, are still gigging. Next gig is at Barfly, Clyde Street on Saturday, 21st May. He's also managing to fit in some photography as you can see in the latest photo diary. If you are looking for a great website or want to ensure that your current site is legal just get in touch and I'll pass the message on to Jim.

Despite the chilly breezes I've been doing the hardy Glasgow thing of dining al fresco, if at all possible, and enjoyed a lovely lunch with Jackie, our baby Ryan and Holly at Booly Mardy's after a walk round the Botanics. This restaurant is becoming increasingly popular - very relaxed atmosphere, pleasant staff and good food; we had some lovely sandwiches, great salad and curly fries. Linda, who was out and about working spotted us and had a wee break. We are all looking forward to her big date birthday party.

I also had lunch with Ian Mitchell in Otago another of my favourite haunts . I was delighted to receive Ian's latest contribution to the site, Chianti, Culture and Chips, which is an feature on Barga in Tuscany, where uncannily, Glasgow banter can frequently be heard on Italian lips. It is a place I definitely intend visiting - I am even more intrigued by Barga after meeting Maggie Ramage for a chat in Tinderbox. She is our most recent addition to the character's section has spent some interesting times in Barga. Hence, I've been checking out the flights from Prestwick to Pisa.

I also met up with Katrina Bowes, who is in the midst of the final stages of organising Learning Tapestry's national conference East Meet's West, which takes place on Thursday, 12th and Friday, 13th May - and finishes on Friday with a Concert at the Royal Concert Hall with RSNO some tickets still available. For information email: [email protected]
No-one can fault the Bowes Family for any lack of get up and go and Katrina's son, Michael, is one of the finalists at Shell Livewire Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Congratulations and good luck, Michael.

We've enjoyed a couple of jaunts further afield and had a day out in Portobello with Jim's family, celebrating his sister Anne's 40th. Happy Birthday, Anne. We also crossed the Clyde to Paisley, guided along by Basia and we experienced some wonderful hospitality in Love Street.

We've been traipsing along to Kirklee to our allotment - sometimes delayed at the Play Area in the Botanics en route, depending upon who is in the work squad that particular day. Although, Jim's niece and nephew Nicola and Sean fall into this category they worked their muddy socks off once we got there and were rewarded with pizza from Little Italy. Still lots of planting to be done but we are starting to get the hang of it. Despite the fact that I have taken to walking round admiring the other plots and getting to know the owners.

I was very pleased to be invited to meet with George Inglis of Glasgow Museums last week to discuss how we can link more closely to promote Glasgow's great galleries and museums.. We had a very enjoyable chat in the Royal Concert Hall Cafe covering all sorts of topics including the Hunterian, The Religious Museum and The Refurbishment of Kelvingrove. The wonderful 'Intimate Friends' Colourists Exhibition will soon make a welcome return to The Hunterian.

Just as some things open up others close down - I will miss Christopher Bond's card and gift shop on Great Western Road and particularly Helen and Betty - the shop's greatest assets. So if you are looking for charming, attractive, mature and reliable ladies to provide superb customer service they will both be available for part-time work. Preferably in the West End, of course. Just get in touch with me and I'll pass on any genuine offers.

New on the site you will also find information including:

• Update Lynne's Art News
• Maggie Ramage - West End Artist
• Tenth year of the West End Festival
• West End Festival at OranMor
• Christina's Latest Film Crits Hostage, Be Cool and The Interpreter
• Helen Rose's Walking Diary Krakow, Poland
• Glasgow's 10th Annual Art Fair Glasgow International

Don't miss the The Space Your Not In - Charity Arts Event at OranMor on Saturday 14th May.

And An Exhibition of Art by Allan Richardson and Jeff Ash at the Visitors' Centre, The Botanic Gardens, 9th - 15th May.