Well done to Davie

Yesterday afternoon we got some fantastic news from Davie. He had an interview for a Research Technician post at Glasgow University Centre for Virus Research last week, and yesterday he found out that he got it! I am such a proud mama! He has been working so hard to get a research post in science even though it must have been discouraging for him because jobs have been few and far between over the last year. He did get a couple of short term lab jobs when he was in Manchester but now he has not only been offered a research job, it’s at the same fabulous centre of excellence where he did his Master’s. It’s exactly where he wants to be!

So today James and I went to Stirling to take Davie out for brunch in order to celebrate. We went to a very pleasant café (how does Stirling have so many lovely cafés?) and chatted, Davie told us about his interview and I could tell from what he said that he absolutely aced it. He is so happy. After our meal we went for a wander around the streets of Stirling and I got advent calendars for him and Chanel. We walked back to his flat via the winding path up around the city walls. Stirling is so historic and attractive.

Troon Beach and a Cosy Fire

Today we went to Troon for a walk on the beach. It was a grey day; silky grey sea, grey sky, grey rain clouds approaching slowly from the west. We couldn’t even see Arran because of the low cloud. We walked about 7 km, from the golf course up and down the beach, then along to the Venice Cafe and back. We had a tasty brunch in the café. It had started to rain, a thin, fine rain, by the time we got back to the car. 

Back at home James lit the fire in the lounge and made a Madeira cake which smelled gorgeous. We relaxed in front of the fire all afternoon. James started a new jigsaw and Tom amusingly stood on his hind legs at the coffee table and pulled a few jigsaw pieces on to the carpet. Perhaps he was trying to help James with the jigsaw? After dinner both cats joined us in the living room where we watched another couple of episodes of the watchable but not outstanding “Manifest” a series about a plane that disappears and then reappears to find that five years have passed, much to the consternation of the passengers and their families, who thought that they were dead. We are now on the fourth and final series and have committed so many of our evenings to it that we feel that we must finish it! 

Two walks

On Friday I went for two walks. The first, in the morning, was with Lil, who has recently had a hip replacement, a couple of weeks ago. We walked twice around the block from her house, and I was impressed by her speed and steady gait. She’s still using forearm crutches outdoors, and I think her hip is still uncomfortable sometimes, but she’s getting on really well. 
My second walk, in the afternoon, was with the irrepressible Vinnie. We had a fine old time bounding around Cambuslang Park (him), playing with other dogs (him) and chatting to their owners (me). I’m glad to say that Ferne is home from the hospital after her six weeks of chemo, so I’m not sure whether any more dog walking will be required. She has more treatment to come, but will be based at home, which is so much better for her family. I saw her when I took Vinnie home, just awake after a nap, and she looked so cute. 
James and I then took the train in to town to meet Abigail and Graham at Chaophraya, a Thai restaurant which we haven’t been to before. We had a delicious (and surprisingly spicy) meal and a convivial evening. 

Embarrassing fall

I had lunch with Gran Jan today. At the age of eighty-nine she doesn’t even need to use a walking stick; she’s amazing and looks much younger than her age. All the same I’m always a little concerned in case she falls when we are walking along the pavement, I would hate for her to hurt herself. However as we walked along to Bothwell Church to the café it was in fact I who tripped and fell, grazing both knees lightly and bruising my left elbow rather painfully. Despite my embarrassment the irony of the situation was not lost on me; I should have been watching my step since Gran Jan is clearly steadier on her feet than me! Once she was sure that I was (mostly) unhurt we continued to the church and had an extremely pleasant lunch, chatting about family and friends and life. 

Art History and Book Club

Today was the last of our ten Art History classes on Northern Renaissance Art. It ended with Hans Holbein the Younger’s many secular portraits of the wealthy in the first half of the 16th century. I have enjoyed the course very much but it was very fast-paced so I will need to do lots of reading and looking at paintings. I would quite like to repeat the class so that I could take more in! We went to the delightful but very expensive Eusebi Deli before the class because it was the last day. 
This evening I went to EK book club at Fiona’s house. It was a rainy and windy evening so I didn’t feel very enthusiastic about going out, but I was very glad that I went. The book discussion on “How to Kill your Best Friend” was very interesting, and we had a good laugh about all sorts of subjects. What a nice bunch of girls they are. 

My first Sourdough Loaf

Jamie and Davie both make excellent sourdough bread, which I have tasted with admiration in New Zealand and in Manchester, so I thought that it was about time for me to have a go as well. Armed only with the online BBC Good Food recipe, I bought some strong bread flour and got started. The starter seemed rather thick to me, but Davie assured me that it can be like that, so I have pressed on, obeying the instructions to “feed” it every day. The instructions that the sourdough starter would start bubbling after 3 to 4 days, but mine became quite lively on the second day. Phone consultations with both Jamie and Davie encouraged me that the starter was progressing suitably. However I was not confident that the temperature of the utility room is right or that my quantities were accurate enough, so Jamie told me that he has decided to send me an early Christmas present - the same bread-making book that he uses. 
After seven days the time came to make my bread, and it was very successful to my surprise! It didn’t look very pretty and I think that the dough was just a bit too wet, but the taste was great. James bought a couple of avocados and we mashed them up and spread them on the sourdough bread for lunch, and it was delicious. 
The bread-making book has arrived and, while I continue to feed my starter, I have started reading it. There is much more information than in the BBC recipe and I’m looking forward to improving my method in my next attempt. 

Greta van Fleet

Our train journey from Manchester to Glasgow on Sunday started out on a very busy train due to an earlier cancellation; we had to struggle through the crowds to reach our reserved seats. Everyone was a bit grumpy and the guard kept making announcements over the tannoy about moving up and making space for people. Chanel was doing some word puzzles and people in nearby seats were joining in. At one point Chanel asked for help with the clue “What’s another name for a railway official?” and a voice shouted “wanker!” which I must admit was very funny given the circumstances! Everyone around us was laughing so it lightened the mood. Our train from Carlisle to Glasgow was cancelled and we had to wait an hour for the next one. That’s two significant delays in two days. When we got to Motherwell James met us and we gave Chanel a lift home to Stirling. 
On Monday James went to see the rock group Greta van Fleet at the Hydro; recommended to us by Kevin Appleton. I had offered my ticket to Ewan because I knew that the concert would not really be my cup of tea, and he kindly agreed to take my place. This turned out to be an excellent decision for all concerned; James and Ewan both enjoyed it very much and went for a lovely Italian meal in Joia beforehand. 
This morning we were on the train to Edinburgh to meet Janet and Peter for lunch, and we got chatting to a very pleasant American couple from Nantucket who were on holiday in Scotland with their teenage children. They mentioned that they had visited Glasgow in order to go to a concert of their daughter’s favourite rock band, which had been sold out when they had tried to get tickets in Boston - yes they had also been at Greta van Fleet! They had even been in the same section as James and Ewan! 

Hamilton and Bubble Tea

I booked tickets for a second visit to Hamilton the musical for me and my fellow Hamilton Superfan Chanel. At the time of our first visit it was only on in London, but it has now branched out to Edinburgh and Manchester too. I booked tickets for Manchester because that’s where Davie and Chanel were living at the time, but they have now moved to Stirling, so Chanel and I took the train to Manchester and had a night in a Premier Inn. The first train was fine and uncrowded but the second one terminated at Preston due to signal problems and we had to get on a very crowded train for the last leg of our journey. We checked in to our Premier Inn and then went wandering around the Christmas markets which was extremely pleasant. We had doughnuts in Tim Hortons and got some brown sugar bubble tea with tapioca pearls in the Arndale Centre. This is Chanel’s favourite flavour and it was very nice - it was my first ever bubble tea! We found a lovely wee Italian restaurant near the Palace Theatre, but we were getting a bit short of time and weren’t even all that hungry, so we booked supper there for after the show instead. 

Hamilton was fantastic. Chanel thought that it was even better than when we saw it in London and I agree with her. The actors were all brilliant and, seeing it for the second time, I felt that I understood the nuances of the plot better. As a result I was in tears as we left the theatre; Hamilton’s early demise, and that of his son, were just so sad. I cheered up over a delicious supper and discussed the musical before strolling back to the hotel. 

A parcel for New Zealand

Yesterday I wrapped the Christmas presents so that we could post them to New Zealand in plenty of time. It took ages, but I’m pleased with the gifts and I hope that they are enjoyed. James found a suitably sized box and we packed in the presents neatly with some bubble wrap to fill in any spaces, and then he sealed the box thoroughly with a great deal of parcel tape. Then came the paperwork (James did that too; after all I had done all of the wrapping and labelling!) The forms were footery and there was much groaning and complaining from James, who was so exhausted by the time that they were printed out and affixed to the parcel that he had to pour himself a restorative glass of whisky. 
There was a question about Jasmine’s present that I needed to ask Jamie, and a few minutes later he phoned us from New Zealand, where it was morning. He was at home and in the middle of making sourdough bread. He very usefully gave us a demonstration of how to fold it for its second proving (it was a video call) and the three of us had a nice chat. He’s very excited about his new Tesla car, which should arrive in December. 
This morning I took the parcel to a local newsagent which the website had assured us was a pick up point for FedEx. It turned out, after I had humphed the parcel across the road to it, that this information was false, so I decided that I would just drive up to Bellshill to the FedEx depot there. I handed in the parcel and then headed to David Lloyd for my swim. Let’s hope it gets through NZ customs and arrives unscathed at its destination in good time for Christmas. 

In the park with Vinnie

I love walking Vinnie, he is such a good-natured dog. At three years old he is in his prime and oh boy can he run fast! He’s so strong and wiry. Mainly he runs after his ball, and sometimes to greet another dog. He is so enthusiastic and friendly that it doesn’t cross his mind that the other dog might not be just as excited to see him. And for the most part they are pleased to see him, especially larger dogs of his own size, and much dancing and chasing and roly poly ensues! Especially with his friend Hudson, a golden Labrador. We usually walk through Holmhills Park, visit the ponds to have a look at the ducks, and then cross the road into Canbuslang Park for more fun and frolics. Vinnie loves a dog treat and I have to ration these out during our walk or he would eat them all at once. He is shameless about begging other dog owners for treats, but if I give a treat to another dog (with the owner’s permission of course) Vinnie tries to grab it! Our walk takes between an hour and an hour and a half, and when we get back to his house he is so good about holding up each paw in turn so that I can clean the mud off them. He even has his own teddy which he takes to his dog bed with them. Vinnie is such a sweet boy. 

James plays the guitar

I really admire how conscientiously James does his guitar practice every day. He goes into his study every afternoon and soon music can be heard wafting out. He never misses a practice. I gave him five music lessons for his birthday earlier this year and what with our various holidays he has only recently finished them (he has a lesson every two or three weeks) I’m glad to say that he has decided to continue with another five lessons to see how he progresses. This morning I was having a wee coffee with Libby in Eaglesham and we were chatting so much that I totally lost track of the time and was late home. I let James know that I was on my way and understandably he wasn’t best pleased because he had to take a taxi in order to arrive at his lesson in time (the hazards of having only one car.) I felt very guilty so when I went over to collect him I took him to Hugh’s in Burnside for afternoon tea. This cheered him up and I was forgiven. 

Ladies’ Charity Lunch

Today I went to a charity lunch to raise money for the Beatson and  the Pancreatic cancer charity, invited by Brewin Dolphin. These charities are close to my heart because of Jackie and my Dad. I was asked if I would like to bring a friend and I invited Heather. Not only did I enjoy her company, it was great that Heather has been to many charity dances so could show me the ropes, as this was my first ladies’ charity lunch. We met at the Crowne Plaza Hotel near the Armadillo and were soon called through for lunch. We didn’t know anybody at our table apart from our host Lynn, but she and the other ladies were friendly and we chatted a bit in between the entertainment, not that we could hear each other very much due to the fairly loud music in the background. The event was hosted by Suzy McGuire, a DJ from Nation Radio, and she did a great job of presenting everything. We had brought money to put into the raffle, and although we didn’t win any of the major prizes, we each won a smaller prize. Mine was an interesting book about Glasgow buildings, but Heather did even better by winning 12 handmade cupcakes from the very expensive Newlands Bakery, to be ordered at a time of her choosing. There was a fashion show which was fun, the meal was nice, champagne (and soft drinks) flowed, and after the raffle and auction there was dancing to Motown music. By about 4 Heather and I felt ready to leave and I gave her a lift home which gave us the chance to have a proper chat. It has been fun but so loud! Would I go to another one? Definitely yes. 

Lovely Visit to Nairn

We have had a lovely time visiting Alison and Hugh for the past few days in Nairn. On Thursday afternoon, we all walked along nearby Nairn beach which was absolutely beautiful in the low, late autumn sunlight. Our four shadows stretched long and thin across the sand. The next day, James and Alison climbed Ben Rinnes, while Hugh and I explored nearby Dufftown in order to find a suitable café for lunch. We also visited Glenfiddich Distillery, which is situated in a very picturesque group of old buildings just on the edge of town, and has a nice shop where I purchased a jigger for Kevin and Jenny‘s Christmas. For those who don’t know, a jigger is a measure for whisky; the one I bought is decorated with a stag’s head and measures 50 ml, which is two shots. The hill didn’t take our intrepid hillwalkers very long, and in due course we picked them up from the Ben Rinnes car park and headed to the Keith and Dufftown Heritage Railway for lunch.  It has a disused railway carriage which has been set up as a wee restaurant for soup, sandwiches and cake. it was a lovely lunch. After a bit of a rest back at the house, we went out for dinner to the delightful Ozzy’s, which we have visited before. The meal was splendid. On Saturday we decided to head into the Black Isle, an area which James and I don’t know very well. We were pleasantly surprised as we went along the coast through some beautiful villages. The village of Avoch for example, which Alison, explained to me is pronounced Och. The prettiest of them all is called Rosemarkie. We went for a walk up the Fairy Glen there, which looked absolutely gorgeous with its paths all covered in autumn leaves of gold, brown and red, and it had several very pretty waterfalls. We then walked to the beach from where we could see Fort George across the water. We could see that the locals were preparing for their annual bonfire. The little beach café was closed, but we walked along to the Crofters café which was really lovely and we had a very nice late lunch. When looking at the cake counter I foolishly left my bag on the floor, which meant a 45 minute drive to retrieve it later, but that didn’t spoil the day. By the time I got back to the house to join the others, it was time for pre-dinner drinks and another lovely meal made by Alison. We set off home at about 10 and made good time arriving just after 1 a.m. The advantage of driving home in the evening was that there was almost no traffic until Perth. The disadvantage was it was distinctly frosty and perhaps even icy in places on the small roads south of Nairn, however, all went well and we arrived home to be greeted by two very surprised cats. 

Nae Expectations

I wish that there were more excellent plays like this performed in Glasgow. I think that we really suffer from the allegedly temporary closure of the Citizens’ Theatre, where I saw so many great plays over the years. It must have been closed for at least five years now. Anyway, this evening we went to the Tron Theatre to see Nae Expectations, a Scottish take on Dickens’ Great Expectations. It was really brilliant, as were each and every member of its small cast. The best known actor was Karen Dunbar, who played a truly disturbing Miss Haversham, veering between playful and evil. The rest of the cast were Simon Donaldson, Jamie Marie Leary, Gerry Mulgrew, Grant Smeaton and Gavin Jon Wright, and I mention them all because they were all so outstanding. They have all done some television and film work but according to the programme they are mainly theatre actors. The play itself was very well adapted from the novel although in order to stage it with a small cast and keep it to a reasonable length it was simplified quite a bit. This meant that some of the characters were less nuanced, and some were missed out altogether. Some of the events, for example the ending, were different too. All the same it was a pleasure to watch this quirky and very Scottish version of Dickens’ classic novel.