Added on Wednesday 20 Sep 2006

August seemed to disappear in a flash, probably because I've been busy and out and about quite a lot - seeing new things and catching up with old friends. I managed to meet up with the often elusive Issi Wilson and we had a rare chat and a lovely dinner at The Bay Tree on Great Western Road. I've also been spending quite a wee bit of time with my son John and our favourite location at the moment is Hyndland Street in Partick.

We've been trying out the extensive range of cafes and bistros down there and had lunch and coffee at The Rio Cafe, Polish Taste and Blossoms. I've written a bit about them in our latest Restaurant News, where I also mention Blas. Jim and I checked out this great new Scottish Restaurant, where I was delighted to catch up with Ross Parry, who it turns out is the manager.

The restaurant is really lovely and has some great art work from The Store. It's in a great location just across from Kelvingrove, Art Gallery and Museum, so if you are having a day out at the Gallery include a trip across Argyle Street to Blas in your itinerary. They have the most brilliant Veggi Platter with a real Scottish flavour to it, and under a fiver.

Our Restaurant Reservations Service is becoming very busy so I need to focus on encouraging more restaurants to participate so that we can offer you more great deals. The Brasserie, OranMor have just joined - offering one main course for half price - Mondays - Thursdays.

I caught up with les Girls, Eleanor, Jackie, Joan, Maggie and Rena at 'The Left Bank' in Gibson Street, where we celebrated the four Virgo birthdays and the success of Eleanor and Linda in completing the 10 K, and Joan's great achievement in running the Women's Half Marathon in two and a half hours. Fare put me to shame!

'The Left Bank' is proving to be a very successful addition to the eating out scene and was chock a block - a very lively place but staff working hard to ensure good service.

Jim and I enjoyed an evening out at the Grosvenor, where we went to see 'Volver' - brilliant film - Penelope Cruz is gorgeous. Good to hear that the film did so well in the Cannes Film Festival awards.

We had a great day out with one of my favourite families - the 0'Donnells from Clydebank at Nadine O'Donnell and Scott Mulgrew's Wedding in St Stephen's Dalmuir. The couple looked radiant and it was terrific catching up with everyone. I knew lots of people there as Scott's family come from Old Kilpatrick, my old home town. It was a real family affair with four generations from both sides. Kate and Sally Anne - the mums - looked wonderful as did great gran Cathie, and Harry Jones, the youngest 90 year old around. It was a lovely day and good to see Kate, the Grants over from Donegal, Brian and his family over from Florida and Maureen Maille and gang from Montpellier. They are a warm-hearted and highly talented family and Aunt Tricia excelled herself in making the fabulous wedding cake.

Nearer to home we enjoyed a leisurely Sunday when we went along last week to our allotment with Jackie. We were able to pass on some home-grown goodies as we have had a super harvest of green beans, peas, onions, shallots, herbs and millions of potatoes. Afterwards we went along to the Atrium in Cresswell Street for a coffee and a blether.

I had another meeting in this smashing little coffee shop earlier in the week, when I caught up with Juliet Cadzow, known to some as 'Edie McCredie from Balamory'. Juliet has had a wonderful career as an actor and I am delighted that she has agreed to be included in our list of local characters. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with her and hearing all about her experiences over the years. She will soon be appearing at a Play, a Pie and a Pint at OranMor. In a play written by her sister-in-law Liz Maclennan.(30th 0ctober, Tequila Sunset)

I met the very prolific writer, Ian Mitchell, at our usual venue, Offshore, and enjoyed hearing all about his latest trip to Barga. We are privileged to have his work on the site including Between Gorbals and Govan, which commemorates the centenary of Scotland Street School, which features in Glasgow's new Charles Rennie Mackintosh Festival. Ian's articles on Glasgow are always highly informative and interesting but none have evoked such as response as Unlocking Maryhill, Glasgow's Venice. Comments arrive regularly from people, from all over the world. I think there are now over 70 on the page - I particularly liked this one from John Ball:

The Electric Picture House. Located at the bottom of Maryhill Road just before St Georges Cross. Better known as the "Wee Elecy." Had backless benches rather than individual seats. Predated the "talkies" but had been "upgraded" with a sound system when I went there in the thirties with my Mum and my two "big sisters."....

and this from Susan

hi my grandad is polish and was stationed in maryhill during ww2. he has memories of a little girl named helen young that used to speak to him through the gates when he was on guard duties. she had two sisters theresa and may but he cant remember if she had any more family. i was wondering if anyones knows anything about helen or her family? my grandad named my mum after her and was wanting to find out what happened to her.

There's been a lot happening in the West End lately, with charitable events such as L'Arche Fundraising exhibition at St Mary's Cathedral and Lynne Scobbie had a very successful solo exhibition Diversity at the Visitor Centre in the Botanics. Jim and I also went along to Style at the Galleries - which included a fashion show and an auction of paintings for charity. ?35,000 was raised on the night and it was a spectacular event with lots of well dressed Glaswegians and celebs. On the cat walk the models were joined by some familiar faces from River City and Radio Clyde and the band El Presidente and they looked great; even though they had not adopted the odd prancing walk that the models use. It was great seeing all the latest fashions and reassuring to note that black is the new black!

It was Doors Open week-end in Glasgow on 18th and 19th. I had great plans for this but only actually managed to pop into see the work that is being carried out at Cottier's Theatre in the West End. David Robertson, the Project Manager is delighted that the work is progressing on schedule - the stained glass windows look absolutely fantastic.

Today I had a quick lunch with Roy Beers', whose latest update of Glasgow's Eating and Drinking Scene - should be up on the site any day now. He is a great character and super company with all his lowdown.

Afterwards I went along to pick up some earrings at JKJ which Judith had been working on my for sister's birthday. I thought I had spotted the perfect gift of Scotty Dog earrings in Galletly and Tubbs but was disappointed when I learned that they were actually cuff links. However, the smart thinking Sylvia Rossi, assisted by Gabrielle,came to the rescue and arranged for Judith to turn them into earrings. What smart kids - no wonder the shop and Ms Rossi got a mention in the Sunday Times Magazine this week! Thanks guys - and good luck to Judith who is branching outwith her jewllery soon to be available for purchase online.

Nancy Smillie's in Cresswell Lane is looking spectacular - they have some stunning jewellery in at present. Also lots of beautiful antiques in The Studio - and the page has recently been updated with new photographs.

If you haven't managed along yet, make sure to visit Ruthven Mews - apart from the great shops there are some very interesting events. Including Matilda's Fairy and Pirate Party earlier this month. You will love this children's bookshop and Czech Designs with their range of unique one off's. You can also indulge yourself at the lovely Heart and Soul where you can book in for different holistic therapies.

The wonderful Doves and Dreams - exhibition at The Hunterian is well worth a visit. Jim and I went along to have a look at the work of Frances Macdonald and Herbert MacNair, who along with Margaret Macdonald and Charles Rennie Mackintosh made up the 'Glasgow Four'. Brilliant stuff.

New on the site you will also find

• Helen Rose's Hill Climbing Diary - Cairgorms Completed
• St Simon's Building Project
• Ted Hollingsworth's Memories of Glasgow's Westend

Plus reams of other stuff

It was great to see Cond? Nast naming Glasgow as the UK's top tourist city - now I'm not going to argue with that.

Finally, just want to say congratulation to Maria Venditozzi on her 40th birthday. Happy Birthday, Maria.