Looking for little green men

On Saturday the weather was great so we went for a nice long walk around Glasgow, and enjoyed the festival atmosphere that the Commonwealth Games have brought to the city. James commented that everyone in Glasgow seems to have been given a "nice pill" with complete strangers chatting and being helpful to each other. Not that people in the city are usually horrible, it's just that the Games seem to have given everyone a wee boost.
I have downloaded an app with all the "Clydes" that are scattered around Glasgow; little statues of the personified thistle that is the mascot of the Commonwealth Games. Each one is differently decorated, and we enjoyed finding them and posing for a photo opportunity beside each one. Our meandering route took us from Central Station along the Clyde Walkway and across the Squinty Bridge to the Science Centre where we had lunch outside. We also watched the flotilla of 250 ships of all different shapes and sizes, festooned with flags, coming down the river and mooring at Pacific Quay. It was a magnificent sight; the sailors were all shouting to the crowd who cheered back. Then we recrossed the river and headed up to the West End to the Botanic Gardens, bagging "Clydes" on our way. By the end of the day we had notched up 10 out of the 25 *  It was a really pleasant day, especially as Jamie and Davie came with us (Ally was still on holiday) and we all chatted as we walked along. Davie was on a late shift at the Emirates Arena so he went there by train after lunch, then Jamie left to go to Rugby 7s later. So it was just James and me who had afternoon coffee at the Art Galleries before heading home for a curry.

Today Jackie and I took Finn and Noah to Glasgow Green where there were lots of children's activities based around the Commonwealth Games. It was great, like a sports day without the competition. One of the most popular activities was to try to beat Usain Bolt's time in the 100 metres, running along a track while being measured by a timer. Finn didn't quite manage it but I was impressed at how hard he tried and how convinced he was that he would beat Usain! It was a beautiful sunny afternoon.

* and we bagged 2 more on Sunday!