Glasgow West End: Christmas is coming

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Glasgow West End: Christmas is coming

I thought I’d take it nice and easy once I’d finished my Creative Writing Course at Glasgow University but I seem to be just as busy as ever. Not complaining really as it’s been a great month and I’ve had fun celebrating getting my M.Litt. and now looking forward to graduation on 4th December.

Gillian invited James and I along to her place for a celebratory dinner and we had a super time with lovely food and fantastic chat. Jim and I also had a good night out at the movies – Philomena, brilliant film, and afterwards we had dinner at Zizzi’s in Cresswell Lane.

It was also good to catch up with Frances and we celebrated her birthday dining out at The Hill on Byres Road. It’s not typical pub grub; we both fancied the roast chicken and it was delicious. The staff are really pleasant and we had a long chat with Julia, the Polish waitress. Chris the assistant manager is another charmer – he even offered to run along and check if Frances was in Patisserie Francoise as I thought we may have had a mix up with the arrangements.

Bearpit Brothers and West End Cafes

Jim and I met Elaine Reid in Offshore to have a chat about the Bearpit Bros CD Launch at The Glad Cafe, this Saturday 23rd November. Elaine and Aidain Mceoin will also be performing and it’s shaping up to be a great gig.

We had a super night out last week at Fairfield Folk Club, where the band had organised a secret debut gig. They went down a storm in Govan, gained their first fans and sold copies of the CD.

I also enjoyed catching up with Jackie at Cafe Alba. The food is delicious and I had a savoury tartlet and Jackie and I shared a piece of home made carrot cake.

Afterwards I had a great browse in Caledonia Secondhand Bookshop next door and was delighted with my finds – short stories by Alice Munro and Flannery O’Connor. I’ve never read many short stories until recently but now I can’t get enough.

I then had my second look in the fabulous new children’s clothes shop Petite Pomme, Great Western Road. I’m sure it’s set to be a big success. If you fancy seeing your little darlings in some chic French gear then this is the place for you.

Cresswell Lane and Conegate

Maggie Graham and I met up for a coffee and sandwich in Smug. That wasn’t the plan but I got into a bit of a muddle. Fortunately we both decided to pick up some groceries in Marks and bumped into each other.

I thought I was to meet Maggie in one of her favourite shops, The Littlest Boho – a lovely wee shop in De Courcy’s. It was no hardship loitering in Cresswell Lane and I can never resist Nancy Smillie’s which is looking stunning for Christmas. I also had a browse in Jolly Molly, and Janet and John – where there’s a fantastic choice of designer cards and gifts in stock for Christmas. (You can read more about some of the shops on my special Christmas Shopping Promotion) I bought a beautiful wee reindeer brooch in Janet and John, the perfect accessory for Christmas Day and some lovely handcrafted cards for my top friends. I chose one card depicting the cone on the Duke of Wellington’s statue outside the Gallery of Modern Art and was tickled by my choice as this was just prior to ‘Conegate’ – the debacle over Glasgow City’s Council proposal to raise the plinth to prevent Glesga daredevils popping the cone on the Duke’s head. I think the Council, or Conesul as they now seem to be called, have changed their minds in the face of the outrage and hilarious response by people on Facebook and Twitter. Glasgow humour was at full tilt. Then there was the Keep the Cone Protest.

I hope this show of solidarity can be demonstrated with equal fervour with regard to other issues, including the dreaded Bedroom Tax and other shameful cuts.

Cafe 808

I really love this cafe and it’s looking particularly good with all the festive fare on display and the decor, with the fabulous Timorous Beasties thistle wallpaper, looks great. It was good to catch up with Cats Allan there at Hallowe’end and we had a great gab over coffee and cake – accompanied by a lovely wee tumshie lantern.

If you’re looking for a good place for Christmas Dinner for your private party then you should get in touch.

John, Ryan and I had a lovely day out when we went along to Hallowe’en Comedy for Kids at The Stand. Afterwards we treated ourselves to tea at Enjoy. I’ve been wanting to try out their new extended evening menu and we very much enjoyed a sharing plate of tapas. Enjoy’s Christmas Menu also looks great.

It was also great catching up with my relatives in Dumbarton and I spent a lovely day with my cousin Jean, her husband John, and Clare, Joe and Joseph.

Artful Events and Good Times in Glasgow

We had a lovely day out with Jim’s dad at the RGI 152nd Annual Exhibition back in the McLellan Galleries once again. The Galleries are looking stunning and it really is a fantastic exhibition and runs until the 8th December. You’ll enjoy it – and do what we did and have some super coffee and great cake afterwards in Vanilla Black’s coffee shop, right next door.

I also caught up with Margaret Brady for tea and sandwiches at Saramego Coffee Shop in the CCA. What a great place it is with a super programme of events, films and exhibitions.

Steph got in touch to suggest a wee night at a Literary Soiree at St Louis in Thornwood. What a great night. It was lovely to see so many familiar faces also meet new people. Linda Jackson was a great host and I caught up with her for a blether in Booly Mardy’s. Next event at St Louis is on 11th December when Bernard McLaverty will be performing.

Jim and I also had a night out at the movies as a wee celebration for my finishing my course. We went to The Grosvenor to see Philomena and then afterwards had some delicious food at Zizzi’s in Cresswell Lane. Very nice.

Tomorrow I’m looking forward to meeting my friend Mary, up from London, and Willie, who’s popping up from Ayr. We’re going to have breakfast at Cup on Byres Road and then head over to OranMor for A Play, A Pie an A Pint

Then big night on Saturday at The Glad Cafe.