Later we went to see Fish’s farewell tour at the O2 Academy in Glasgow. He promised that it really was his farewell tour, “not like Elton John!” Fish (real name Derek Dick) started out in the band Marillion before going solo many years ago. We were upstairs which meant that we got seats, but the air was hot and rather stale up there by the end of the concert. The audience, including James, was very enthusiastic, however the music was just not my cup of tea. Good luck to Fish in his retirement!
Sunday, 9 March 2025
Marshmallows and Fish
Later we went to see Fish’s farewell tour at the O2 Academy in Glasgow. He promised that it really was his farewell tour, “not like Elton John!” Fish (real name Derek Dick) started out in the band Marillion before going solo many years ago. We were upstairs which meant that we got seats, but the air was hot and rather stale up there by the end of the concert. The audience, including James, was very enthusiastic, however the music was just not my cup of tea. Good luck to Fish in his retirement!
Saturday, 8 March 2025
International Women’s Day
Friday, 7 March 2025
Useful and social week
I also had a chat yesterday with Fiona M who had a big operation today, I have been thinking about her all day and hope that it has all gone well.
Monday, 3 March 2025
Mike and the Mechanics
The day started with a drama involving Tom, Flora, James and Fluffy, a local cat who has been intruding into our house recently, using his cat magnet to open the cat flap. Fluffy is not his real name; he is so called by us because of his (or her) fluffy ears. James was awoken by hissing sounds from both of our cats, who were trying to prevent Fluffy from coming up our stairs. This seemingly bold move from Fluffy turned out to be because he had found himself trapped in the front of the house, because the door between the hall and the back room had been closed (probably pushed closed when Tom and Flora were trying to repel him!) so Fluffy was looking for another means of escape. James then entered the fray and Fluffy ran away from him back downstairs, racing up and down the hall and hurling himself alternately against the front door and the door to the back room in terror. Then he ran upstairs again and tried to jump out of our bedroom window, to no avail because it wasn’t open wide enough. James opened the door downstairs and Fluffy ran into the back room and jumped out of the cat flap. I hope that this unfortunate experience finally gives Fluffy the message that he is not welcome to come swanning into our house to eat our cats’ food.
After a pleasant and useful day we met Marjory and Forrest at Ask Italian where we had a good meal and catch up before going to the Mike and the Mechanics concert at the Royal Concert Hall; our Christmas present from them. Mike Rutherford arrived on the stage using crutches and announced that he broke his hip only 12 days ago! This did not hold him back and he sat on a chair during the concert, playing his guitar manfully. The rest of the band were great too, including Phil Collins’ drummer son Nic, whom we saw playing the drums at the last ever Genesis concert. Tim Howar and Andrew Roachford were excellent vocalists, backed up by Anthony Drennan (bass guitar) and Luke Juby (keyboard and guitar.) It was a really excellent concert, and the audience, a full house on a Monday night in March, loved it.
Sunday, 2 March 2025
A walk from Warwick to Leamington Spa
Our next stop was Warwick for a walk to Leamington Spa via the River Avon and the Union Canal, stopping at the Moorings pub on the way for a refreshing cool drink. Leamington Spa’s parks were filled with people strolling about, much as I would imagine they did in Victorian times after “taking the waters.” We circled around the town centre and back along the river to Warwick. It was a really pleasant 9 km walk.
Now we are at Birmingham Airport awaiting our flight home.
Saturday, 1 March 2025
The Delicate Sound of Pink Floyd in Oxford
Friday, 28 February 2025
Blenheim Palace
In the evening we went a cinema in Oxford to see the latest Bridget Jones film, which was fairly enjoyable although predictable, and inevitably rather sad in places due to its subject matter of bereavement. Our Premier Inn at Oxford Airport is only a twenty minute drive into the town centre, and also very near Blenheim Palace.
Wednesday, 26 February 2025
Welcome to the family Harris!
Alison and Hugh stayed overnight with us last night on their way back from their holiday to Tenerife. It was great to see them and they both looked tanned and healthy after their holiday. After breakfast they set off northwards to be reunited with their gorgeous cats Ash and Birch.
Tuesday, 25 February 2025
70th Birthday Afternoon Tea
Monday was intense. I spent the morning observing three Children’s Hearings. They were virtual hearings but I managed to join the meetings ok; there was a really good virtual support person who ensured that everyone was signed in and sent them new links if there was a problem. It was all very interesting.
And today James and I went over to Morag’s, it was very nice to see her and Gordon, and she made us a brilliant lunch. It’s the first time that we have visited her home, which is absolutely beautiful.
It will come as no surprise to those who know me that I lack self confidence and can be hurt all too easily. But today James said some very kind things to me. I was very moved; he really has my back. And coincidentally three separate people all happened to reach out to me today to arrange to meet up. I felt touched; I’m really very lucky.
Thursday, 20 February 2025
A visit to Crail
Sunday, 16 February 2025
Back to Toulouse
Since Friday was Valentine’s Day we encouraged Ally and Cat to go out for a romantic meal in the city by themselves. James and I went to a nearby restaurant which served tapas and had our own wee romantic meal!
The highlight of Saturday was our much anticipated trip to the Airbus factory. James has fancied visiting this for years so he was delighted. I had managed to book us two tours; one of the A400M and a longer tour by bus of the manufacturing area of the A350. We also had plenty of time in the museum and went on the Concorde which was on display.
On Sunday we went for a walk all around the centre of Toulouse and had breakfast at the main square again. It was good to get to know the city better; it is very attractive. We visited the Basilique Saint-Sernin, a prominent Romanesque church, and crossed the Pont St Pierre and the ancient Pont Neuf (well I suppose it was new once!) My favourite place was the Couvent des Jacobins with its gorgeous cloisters and colourful stained glass which made beautiful patterns as the light shone through it on to the pink walls.
Thursday, 13 February 2025
Snowmobiling!
Then we went to Andorra La Vella, the tiny capital city of this tiny country. Set in a steep-sided valley it was a prosperous looking town with lots of sculptures and high end shops. We had lunch in Restaurant 120 in the main shopping street where Cat and I had tasty Escalivada, a traditional Catalan dish of smoky grilled vegetables, served as a toastie. We travelled back through the mountains and over the border into France, and on to Toulouse where Cat had booked a smart apartment near the city centre, so we could walk everywhere. We had dinner at a wee restaurant called La Binocle where the waiter was absolutely determined to impose his terrible English on us even though I was speaking to him in my perfectly acceptable (if I say so myself) French. He also seemed nervous about the process of being a waiter and said things like “I’m going to clear away your plates now. Is that ok?” The food was excellent and we headed to bed replete and tired after our exciting day.
Wednesday, 12 February 2025
Fondue
I returned my skis and met up with Chanel at the ski hire shop, and we travelled by bus and minibus to Grau Roig. We had our lunch with the others at the same wee restaurant that we ate at on Monday but this time we dined indoors because it had started to snow quite heavily. After a hearty and tasty meal the others went off to ski some more and Chanel and I made our way back to the hotel by bus. I was strangely tired and had an hour’s nap before getting showered and ready for dinner; we went to El Provençal where we had a delicious fondue.
Tuesday, 11 February 2025
Football and Music
Chanel and I took the Els Pioners gondola to meet the others for lunch at the open air restaurant at the top. Luckily the cloudy start to the day had transformed into a sunny afternoon so it was warm enough to sit outside, and it was very pleasant having our lunch while chatting and watching the skiers on the mountain.
In the afternoon Chanel and I went for a walk around the town and had a look in the several small supermarkets to see if there was anything interesting. There was lots of booze and cigarettes and perfume; all I bought was a few snacks. It was a good wee walk. James and Cat arrived at the hotel shortly after we got back; they had enjoyed their afternoon on the slopes until they felt ready to head back. Ally and Davie stayed out on the pistes until closing time as usual; I’m really proud that they are such good skiers. Cat and I went for a swim and jacuzzi in the spa, which helped to stretch and relax my tired leg muscles.
We had such a great evening. After a delicious dinner we arrived in the busy bar just as a family was about to vacate the best seats in the house; the two big couches beside the fire. As we settled in with our drinks a football match between Manchester City and Real Madrid started on the big screen across from us, and an excellent singer / guitarist sang in Catalan, Spanish and English. I felt very happy.
Monday, 10 February 2025
Grau Roig
The boys met us at the bottom of the gondola and took us over to Grau Roig for lunch. We skied down a big red which was steep at the start and I made too many turns at first, which annoyed me, but I improved as I descended, and then we skied a couple of blues. We had lunch at the excellent 3 Estanys restaurant (which is Catalan for Three Lakes.) We all had a lovely lunch and chat. Then James and I decided that our legs were tired and set off back to the hotel, ending with the nice long blue run Pista Port from the Diagonal chairlift. The only problem was that it was quite busy with other skiers heading back to Pas de la Casa so my skiing deteriorated again and I was glad to take my skis off at the wee café from where we walked the short distance back to the hotel. Meanwhile the young folk skied onwards with the energy of youth, skied into two further valleys, and were on their way back when Chanel fell and was injured; possibly a torn ligament at the base of her thumb. She had to get a plaster cast at the nearby medical centre and then our heroes Ally and Cat took the hire car to Grau Roig to collect her and Davie. When we met up with her and Davie for drinks in the bar before dinner she was being very brave despite the pain, and after our usual hearty repast we had a very pleasant evening playing cards in the bar.
Sunday, 9 February 2025
Smugglers in Pas de la Casa
Friday, 7 February 2025
No time Toulouse
Monday, 3 February 2025
You can't please everybody!
Friday, 31 January 2025
Reds, Blues and Blacks
Thursday, 30 January 2025
More sun and more skiing
When they returned to the resort we all went for a drink to Bar Dolomiti again, it’s such an attractive wee place. Then James and I went for a companionable stroll around the village before another tasty dinner and fun evening in great company.
Wednesday, 29 January 2025
Brilliant Ski Day
Tuesday, 28 January 2025
Snowy Snowy Snowy
Monday, 27 January 2025
Back on the pistes, hooray!
Sunday, 26 January 2025
Spa afternoon
Saturday, 25 January 2025
Journey to Madonna di Campiglio
It was still quite wet and windy this morning when I went out to do a few errands before our flight. I could see quite a few trees and branches that had been knocked down by the wind onto the pavements; the roads were covered in twigs and leaves. A few fences were down and part of a wall had collapsed in Westcoats Road. If you multiply this all over Glasgow and Lanarkshire, the central belt of Scotland has had a right battering!
We met Heather and Ewan at Glasgow airport and had a celebratory holiday lunch. Our flight was delayed about 45 minutes but I thought that was not too bad considering the weather yesterday; I had expected that there might be more delay. It was the usual rather long slog to get to our ski resort; after retrieving our luggage the bus trip from Verona into the mountains was 2 hours 45 minutes, along the main roads and then up and up the sharp turns of a zigzag road, and through several tiny villages before arriving at Madonna di Campiglio. Our village looks quaint and pretty, although it was too dark to see much.
The Alpen Hotel Vidi is lovely and luxurious, and our room is modern and spacious, with a modern alpine wood vibe. It was well past dinner time so we were given platters of cold meat, cheese and vegetables, which we ate in Heather and Ewan’s room and had a pleasant chat. It’s good to be here.
Friday, 24 January 2025
Storm Éowyn
Storm Éowyn arrived in all of its fury by mid morning. The windows rattled as the rain and wind lashed against them. From time to time we could hear bins crashing over outside, and Davie sent us a photo of their shed upended in their garden. We followed government instructions (having received a red alert on our phones yesterday) and spent the day indoors - although James nipped out early for a quick 4 km walk before the storm got to its peak. All schools in the central belt were closed as were many businesses and restaurants.
I spent the morning packing for our ski holiday tomorrow, and then I joined James in the lounge where he had lit the fire. When Tom and Floof found out how cosy it was in there they joined us too, so we had a companionable and pleasant time. James read his book and I completed the “Quick Quiz” from my Children’s Panel Day 1 training. I don’t know why it was titled “Quick;” it took me more than two hours. In the evening we watched a film starring Woody Harrelson as a basketball coach who has to do community service with a team of young people who have additional support needs; it was a bit predictable but also quite funny and heart-warming. When we went to bed the wind and rain (in fact sleet) were still blowing horizontally past the windows, but the worst of the storm has passed.
Thursday, 23 January 2025
Much Preparation
The kind and efficient admin, Tina, booked me in for the next day’s training and I spent the rest of Tuesday completing the Introductory Preparation. It took ages. I submitted it in the afternoon but found to my horror that until it was assessed I would not be able to access my Session 1 Preparation. I phoned Tina first thing on Wednesday morning to explain and she very understandingly transferred me to the Thursday session. I spent all day Wednesday working on the Session 1 preparation, which included lots of reading, multiple choice assessments and preparing a case study. Wednesday was James’ 63rd birthday and we went out for a nice dinner to Six by Nico, the one in Byres Road. But when we got home I still had about another hour of studying to do.
By the time I arrived back at the Leonardo Hotel on Thursday morning I felt well prepared, but it was a full on day; there is so much to learn. By the end I was absolutely exhausted and strangely close to tears. James heated up hearty home made bean stew for dinner and we watched the last couple of episodes of the ridiculous Scottish drama The Rig and I felt much better.
Monday, 20 January 2025
Getting Better
It is taking a long time to get over this chest infection. I’m getting better every day but I’m still wheezy and unfeasibly tired. I have started going out for short walks near to home; one day James and I walked a 5 km round trip to Burnside where we had coffee, and another day I took Vinnie out for a walk around the parks because Rachel and John were at a meeting. It was great to spend some time with Vinnie again, I told him about my grand-dog Whisky but Vinnie was more interested in chasing his ball! Heather and Ewan came for dinner and I made a beef tagine which turned out well; I made myself roasted vegetables using the same spices of cinnamon and ginger. James made his famous crème brûlées for dessert which were perfect, and we served them with pomegranate seeds to give them a middle-eastern twist. I had coffee with Christine in Dunlop and we have had a curry with Davie and Chanel, so I am easing my way back into society!
Wednesday, 15 January 2025
Antibiotic Woman
I have just taken my 5th antibiotic tablet and though I don’t feel tip top yet, my ear has stopped hurting and my cough feels less dreadful. I still feel full of cold symptoms but I have high hopes that I’m on the mend.
We are now back in Cambuslang which is cold and dreich, unlike the beautiful but treacherous snowy streets of Ullapool. Cornel and Heather came to visit us in Ullapool for a couple of days at the weekend and were delightful guests. I put as brave a face on my lurgy as I possibly could and James says that I appeared to be fine apart from a bit of coughing and sneezing. Heather and I went for a walk around the icy streets of the village and we both thought that we were walking at a reasonable pace when two teenage girls just strolled past us much faster! It was very funny! Meanwhile James and Cornel went for a much longer and snowier walk up the valley past Loch Achall and across the hills. We had a lovely dinner at the Caley Bistrot which was the only place open, most restaurants having gone into hibernation for the winter. I really enjoyed Cornel and Heather’s company and we had some great chats but when they left on Sunday morning I kind of virtually collapsed and James had to do all of the driving on the way home. And I have spent the last couple of days resting, mostly in bed, as well as obtaining antibiotics from a very sensible and knowledgeable prescribing pharmacist. Luckily I have had the company of Tom and Flora. Tom has been pulling the cat nip plants out of their wire container; there are bits of leaves and soil all round it. And Flora has been cuddling up to me rather touchingly.
Thursday, 9 January 2025
Even more snow
James is being particularly pleasant to me as I recover; last night he found a French film on some obscure television channel for me to watch and today he brought in potato scones for lunch. The French film was Maigret Se Trompe and was excellent, one of a series of 1990s Maigret films made for television starring Bruno Cremer.
The trouble is that I’m currently a bit wary of going outside. You would think that a healthy walk around the village would be beneficial to a chest infection but every time I have done so (about every second day) I feel more wheezy and out of breath when I get back, and my ear gets sorer too. Maybe it’s the cold air - the temperature in the north of Scotland is due to drop to -16 deg tonight!
Sunday, 5 January 2025
Snowy and Lurgy
The weather has continued to be cold, with snow showers and icy pavements. Despite having at least a dozen woolly hats at home in Cambuslang I had neglected to bring even one of them to Ullapool, so today James kindly spent £4 on a sparkly purple beanie hat in the Woollen Mill sale. Despite the name of the shop there is no wool in the beanie; it is 99% polyester and 1% metallic thread so no sheep has been near it! It feels very cosy, and also necessary because I have developed a bad cold which is lingering annoyingly, particularly in my chest which is rattling, my stuffy nose, and strangely my right ear. James also got me a hot water bottle yesterday which I have been holding against my ear.
So because of this horrible cold I have been having an enforcedly quiet time here in Ullapool. I have encouraged James to enjoy himself, go for walks etc but I feel bad for not joining in. This morning we were surprised to see Calmac’s new ship, the Glen Sannox, sailing along the loch outside our window, heading westwards. This ship is currently nearly seven years late after many problems, both technical and financial, during its build. It is also way over budget (from £97 million to more than £400 million so far) and doesn’t even fit Ardrossan Harbour so it will need to sail from Troon to Brodick instead until Ardrossan Harbour is upgraded - which will be years away. And apparently the liquified natural gas that it runs on (as well as marine gas oil, a low-sulphur type of diesel) is not even as eco friendly as promised. It was up here to conduct crew familiarisation trials before starting to take passengers to Arran, and needless to say more technical issues were found, however I think that they are determined to start service on 13th January.
Thursday, 2 January 2025
Pulling Mussels from a Shell
In the evening we watched a film called “The Killer” starring Michael Fassbender; it was a sombre but quite compelling thriller and we enjoyed it. The reason that I wanted to watch it was that it was being filmed in Paris when we were there in May 2023 on a street on the Île Saint Louis. I could see that some of it was filmed in a street near the Panthéon but I didn’t really recognise the streets that the main character then raced through on a motorcycle. And I didn’t see any sign of James and I strolling along in the distance!
Wednesday, 1 January 2025
The Northern Lights welcome 2025
Later on there was a bright pink aurora borealis in the skies above the village which seemed like a rosy welcome to the New Year. And later still the sleet turned to snow for a little while and lay rather prettily on the garden. A good start to the year.