Day Trips and Festivals

Added on Wednesday 1 Aug 2012

It wasn't the best July ever - I was housebound for a couple of weeks because I was sick and we've had some terrible weather. However, lately I've been out and about again and, although there's been no hot summer days to speak of, we've seen some blue skies and there's still plenty going on in Glasgow West End.

Day Tripping

Photo: millport by jim byrne. Jim and I had a lovely trip 'doon the watter' to Millport. It was the first time I'd ever been to the Isle of Cumbrae and I really enjoyed it. We didn't hire bicycles so we were in the minority and had to drive along at a snail's pace. I think we saw every type of bike apart from a monocyle - it was amazing to see so many families with babies and youngsters cycling along on various contraptions.

The views from the island are great and I particularly enjoyed looking across to Ayrshire from the Fintry Bay Coffee Shop as I shared a strawberry tart with Jim. Millport is the only town on the island and we were happy to join the throngs in a stroll along the front. We also investigated the tiny Cathedral of the Isles, apparently the smallest cathedral in the UK - it's absolutely fascinating.

On our way home we stopped at the Waterside Restaurant in Seamill, recommended by my friend Val; she was right it was fantastic. We sat outside as the sun went down and enjoyed delicious crab cakes and sea food chowder as we looked over towards Arran and the Ailsa Craig. A very pleasant way to round off a lovely day out.

Jim and I had another trip to Ayrshire to pick Ryan and his friend Cameron up from Culzean Cup Camp. En route we had a lovely lunch with Kathy and John at their new home in Ayr before picking up two wee exhausted souls. They looked very bedraggled and Ryan had lost a sleeping bag, four pairs of socks, a pair of trainers and a new mood ring that he had bought with his own money! But they were happy and slept all the way home.

Old Kilpatrick and Bowling

Photo: fishing on the clyde. I've also had a few shorter trips to visit my relatives in Old Kilpatrick and enjoyed a walk up the Rosie Road into the Kilpatrick Hills. Another day John, Ryan and I had fun when we went fishing at Bowling. Although, the Clyde offered up no big catch, Ryan was absorbed in practising his casting and watching the swans. We were all delighted to see The Waverley on its way up the river to the Broomielaw.

We had a great day when my brother Drew had his wee grand-daughters Ashlyn and Kayla visit from Dunoon with their mum Val and their other grand-dad Jimmy. Ryan and the wee girls had great fun playing football then we all went along to the Lusset for lunch. We're planning a trip to see them before school starts back. We're hoping or a good day so that we can have a picnic on the beach.

Linlithgow

For the past few years Jim has played at the Linlithgow Folk Festival and he'll be on the Norah Devine Stage again on the 8th September. We went along to the launch of the 14th Festival Programme and had a super night at the Canal Centre. After the launch of the programme and the new linlithgow folk festival website, we were treated to some great entertainment, including from The Linties. We happened to be sitting beside Morag and Iyaah, who swopped CD's with Jim, and we very much enjoyed listening to 'Frae the Forth', The Linties' second CD, on our journey home.

Back in the West End

Closer to home we had another enjoyable musical outing when we went along to catch Chris Barrett and Michael Clark playing at The Pourhouse in Finnieston. Two very talented musicians and vocalists, it was a real treat to sit back and be entertained and also good to have a chat with the guys. You'll be able to catch Michael and friends at the Pourhouse on Sundays at 3 p.m. A lovely way to spend a lazy Sunday and the food looks delicious. I'll try it next time.

Photo: blair and sheridan. I also had a good day out with Frances when we went along to Kelvinbridge. We had a particularly interesting time in Blair and Sheridan's the fantastic new jewellers at 417 Great Western Road, G4 9JA. It's a very classy establishment and, while Douglas, was busy creating bespoke designs, Roddy explained about his connections with the Antwerp Diamond District. The partnership is bound to prove very successful and after just one visit diamonds are my new best friends

However, as I didn't have my cheque book on me I treated myself to the amazing cuff bracelet I have been admiring for some time in Nancy Smillie's Jewellery Studio. Afterwards Frances and I had some lunch in Heart Buchanan then we walked along to Hyndland and I picked up a black linen dress in the sale in Brenda Muir's. That's me all set with my outfit for a few upcoming events, including another Venditozzi wedding party with Michael and Laura, home from New Hampshire. Looking forward to it very much and love the venue: Glasgow Art Club.

Cottiers and Crafts

Photo: sweet or addicts cottiers. Recently I went along to Cottiers for two very different events; I enjoyed Sweet for Addicts' production Bill W and Dr Bob, the story of how Alcoholics Anonymous was created. Despite the serious topic there was lots of humour and the response from the audience was very positive. Well done on selling out both nights.

I returned to Cottiers at the week-end, this time to the restaurant, which had been monopolised by Glasgow Crafters Co-op for their first craft fair at this venue. The setting was fantastic and showed off the work of the group to great advantage - lots of super jewellery, cards, glass, painting and cup cakes to tempt. Keep an eye on their facebook for further events in Cottiers.

I also went along with Maggie Graham to check out more crafty products at the Makers Market at Hillhead Library. I was delighted to see Judith Kenny with a stall displaying her fantastic jewellery. Afterwards Maggie and I went for coffee and cake to our usual haunt, Avenue G, on Byres Road, where we put the world to rights in no time.

Yesterday I headed back along to Byres Road and enjoyed tea with Gillian in Booly Mardy's. We had a good old chat about our writing course at Glasgow Uni and other important stuff - including the arrival of her new wee grandson, Fraser. I loved the photographs of him and his big brother Ewan. Congratulations to all the family.

Today I had an appointment at The Hidden Lane to catch up with another amazing Glasgow jeweller Shona Fidgett. Shona has just created some new ranges in engagement rings and very happy to discuss commissions with clients. I then enjoyed a wee wander around the lane noting all the artisans and then meet up with Roy Beers for a cuppa and a blether in The Hidden Lane Cafe. I also intended having a look at the

in The Hidden Lane Gallery but it was closed so that gives me an excuse for a another trip to Finnieston.

Merchant City Festival

Photo: sabine and pat merchant city. At the week-end I had a lovely time wandering around the Merchant City and lapping up the festival atmosphere with Sabine Kocem. It was very busy so we moved away from the throngs around Candleriggs and enjoyed some pizza and coffee in The Italian Cafe in Albion Street with Jim, Ryan and John. It was our last with Sabine before she headed to Hamburg - perhaps we'll take a trip to Germany?

Our next festival outing is through to Edinburgh to the preview of Rony Bridges' Six and a Tanner. Also in the diary is Folk on the Boat 2 at the Maid of the Loch on 10th August and we'll also be going along to Futureproof Graduate Exhibition where we'll be particularly watching out for work by Marianne Wilson

Now that I'm back out wandering around again I'll be popping in on Jim at Offshore, where he is based most days with his laptop. He enjoys a plate of porridge at lunch time and was highly impressed when Helen went out of her way to buy a packet just for him after they had ran out. That's service :-)