Added on Wednesday 31 Jan 2007

Just as well there has been so much to do in Glasgow this month as the weather has been dismal, dreich and no less than atrocious. Rain, rain and more rain. I think we've only had about three or four dry days all month. Nonetheless, wellies on I ventured out and about as usual as there's been quite a lot of interesting things going on, both in town and in the West End.

I had a lovely long holiday so managed to see a lot of my friends and family. Jim and I even managed a night at the pictures and went along to the Glasgow Film Theatre to see 'Prairie Home Companian', which was absolutely brilliant and really funny. The GFT is a smashing Cinema and we should go more often so maybe manage back along when the Glasgow Film Festival starts on 15th February.

I'm sure you all know that Celtic Connections, the fantastic traditional music festival, is on at the moment. John, my son, and my brother Drew and I had a great night out at the Festival. We met up at Dino's, in Sauchiehall Street, where we had some lovely Italian food and then headed along to see, and hear, 'Songs of Conscience", which included a fine array of talent from Scotland, Ireland, England, USA and Canada.

The young Canadian, Gordie Sampson, was a breath of fresh air and what a great guitarist; Dick Gaughan and Brian McNeill, both in fine fettle, got the show off the ground and Mick Hanly was fantastic, what a voice - he treated us to some very emotional stuff. I could have wept at his song 'Cold, Cold World'. Archie Fisher was a big hit with the audience, great music and very droll - I liked his lyrics, which reminded us that we should pay heed to the wrinklies 'there are more of us than you'.

Roy Bailey, a magnificient protester, reminded us of message of the concert and sang some 'songs of conscious' and Tom Paxton treated us to some of the old favourites and we sang along - 'here's to you my ramblin' boy....' and so on, then joined in once again when all the performers got together. Especially moving were the lyrics of 'Can't help but wonder where I'm bound', which for the occasion Roy Bailey had changed to 'Can't help but wonder why I'm bound' - dedicating the song to prisoners in Guatemala Bay. Thought provoking and a very good night out.

We bumped into quite a few people we knew at the Festival including Anne Morgan, from Clydebank, Willy Slavin the priest from St Simons and Ann and Eddie. Ann and I have been meeting up quite a lot recently and a couple of weeks back took a run out to Milngavie. A lovely place for a walk around but it was lashing down so we sought shelter at 'The Cross Keys' and had a hearty pub lunch.

Also sheltering from the weather, Jim and I had dinner one evening at Blas, Scottish Cafe and Restaurant at Argyle Street, Kelvingrove. We enjoyed a chat with Ross Parry, the manager, who is delighted at how well this newish restaurant is doing. How could it fail? The food is brilliant and the view of Kelvingrove Art Gallery is fantastic, what a location! It was a special treat on a drab evening with the Gallery all lit up and the red Christmas Trees still on show.

I joined Jeana Papamikail and her friends Hugh and Yvonne for a Sunday afternoon coffee in The Baby Grand at Partick Cross. We had a leisurely break and a great laugh as we had a couple of raconteurs in the company.

I also met up with Eleanor, Joan, Jackie and Rena in Chocolatte, on Great Western Road, where we enjoyed a good old natter and some tasty soup. Some of Les Gals are off to New York City next month so need to wrap up cosy.

I caught up with some other old friends down in Yoker when Anne invited Mary, Marion and myself a really lovely lunch. I took up another invitation and ventured over to Margaret Brady's on the South Side; Val kindly 'chauffeused' me over and it was great meeting all the Rosemount gang. Margaret laid on a fine spread and we chatted and then had a sing song with a variety of Scottish airs and mournful Irish laments - even some South Pacific classics. No one could accuse the singers of having a narrow repertoire.

Also on the social front, Jim and I enjoyed a very different Burns Supper at the International Club at the Wellington Church. We were made very welcome by the small gathering and enjoyed not only the haggis, neeps and tatties but the wonderful recitations. Grace Franklin provided some high drama with her rendition of Tam a Shanter and I absolutely loved Livvy's poem 'Rabbie's Recipe' by Douglas Kynoch (Doric for Advanced Scholars) and the contribution by the students from overseas put the final touches to a lovely evening. So thanks for our invite, folks.

Apart from socialising I've been doing some 'work' and have spotted a couple of very interesting new shops in the West End. First of all, you have got to check out Recharge - bringing revolutionary products to the West End (0141 339 5505) - this is a very attractive little shop down Ruthven Lane, where you can be revitalised through massage and oxygen. Nicola Martin, one of the owners, let me try out their oxygen bar, very relaxing. You just choose your aroma and off you go. Next time I'll maybe opt for the Swedish seated massage. Makes a change from popping in for a coffee!!!

Good to see further developments in this neck of the woods with Andre and Ossie's Gallery, Gather in Glasgow and the great shops in Ruthven Mews (see upcoming events in our What's On). Not to mention Starry, Starry Night and Moon. When along the lane I popped into Moon (again escaping the dashing rain) and had a wee chat with Annie Goode and Yvonne and admired the fabulous clothes and accessories. I also bumped into Tim of 10Design, who was as flamboyant and charming as ever and not at all dejected by the bleak weather. To finish off my little jaunt I hooked up with Jim in Little Italy and fairly enjoyed some steaming hot minestrone. Good to see Remo and Paulo in good form.

Back up in Hillhead another interesting new shop just opened is Bolshie, at 57 Bank Street, (0141 357 1777) also very different and offering an ethical approach the Boutique and Coffee Bar is all about recycling, organic produce and fair-trade. It looks great and Caroline, the owner, also provides a made to measure tailoring service.

Finally, on the new shopping front, although more a service than a shop, I have been dying (wrong word) to check out the new Independent One Stop Healthcare Service in Hyndland, Clinic158 (158 Hyndland Road - 0141 357 7357) so I went along to have a look and met Dr Andrew McColl. It is a really lovely place, tasteful and welcoming - very nice receptionist and I enjoyed hearing about the very wide range of services on offer - over a green tea. An interesting concept and might be useful as an alternative to our health service, especially, if you are after a second opinion or in a hurry.

I've been feeling a bit guilty because I had not managed along to the re-opened Kibble Palace so decided to take Ryan (now three) to investigate and we both loved it. It's really nice inside, although, I've not quite got used to the external brand, spanking new look. Ryan was certainly in his element watching the goldfish and running around everywhere. John brought us some coffee from North Star in Queen Margaret Drive and we sat back and relaxed. Apparently, there are plans for a cafe of some sort so that will be handy.

Last week the three of us, John, Ryan and myself, went to Kelvingrove Park and then to the Art Gallery. This time we checked out the ducks and the BMX cyclists then had a wonderful time at Kelvingrove. Ryan was mesmerised by the Aeroplane, the Elephant and the Tiger and also became a devoted fan of the red wellingtons the children can play with. John took him for a little stroll and they found a class on how to make parachutes so we all had a great time. Then a nice walk home up Kelvin Way, arguably the loveliest street in Glasgow.

I looks as though soon we will be on the move as we are floating about in a house too large and too expensive for our purposes and with stairs only suitable for the mighty fit. Three times now I have been stranded indoors - this summer when I was ill and twice before when I broke bones in my foot. So time for a lifestyle change, downsizing sounds like an attractive option. I've benefitted from some excellent advice from David Howat and Bridget McLaren at Pattison and Sim regarding selling up and moving on and then Jim discovered a treasure, Kathy Sharp, of KAS Interior Design (0141 644 2104). Kathy has come along to provide some advice and tackle a few of those jobs we should have seen to before now. Therefore, we are busy throwing out and sprucing up.

Need to stay within the vicinity of the West End though!

Old Partick Central Auctions Building

A couple of losses in the area recently with the lovely little Partick Station landmark being bullodozed to the ground to make way for a supermarket. Then lots of ladies who lunch very downhearted at the demise of 'Hummingbird', which closed last week.

As usual lots of new stuff on the site and another new contributor - Jim having recently acquired a new Laptop has been out checking out the West End Wifi scene. Meanwhile, his mum, Christina has written a review of one of the Celtic Connection gigs.

Also new on the site you will find:

• University of Glasgow Children's Sports programme
• A Mature Student's Diary
• The Heart of Govan Beats Again by Ian Mitchell
• More of Issi's West End Adventures
• Helen Rose's Hillwalking Diary

Jim's also been busy working on the website to extend the services we offer and now you can:

• Order flowers online
• Book a hotel room in Glasgow - please pass this on to any friends who may be planning a trip - up to 70% off room rates.
• Have a look at more West End Properties