Pablo the cellist

Pablo Ferrández was certainly the star of the show on Thursday afternoon when I went to listen to Dvorák’s Cello concerto at the City Halls. As Ally W pointed out, it’s nice to see someone who really enjoys their job! While waiting for his part to begin, you could tell that Pablo was loving the music, as he listened intently while swaying appreciatively in his seat at the front. Then when he played his cello he looked so happy and was smiling with the principal violinist of the SSO as they interacted musically. Such was his energy that from time to time he had to mop his brow with a little towel that he had brought along for the purpose. Even his eyebrows were energetic! I liked the concerto very much and so did the rest of the audience, who applauded enthusiastically and would not let Pablo leave without playing a wee solo. He wasn’t involved in the second half of the concert, which was Sibelius’ Symphony no. 2 in D major, so he joined the audience  and looked just as enthusiastic as during his own performance. What a fantastic young musician. 

Davie is home for Christmas

Davie is home from Dundee for Christmas and it’s great to see him. This evening James and I took him out for dinner and to the cinema. Our meal at the Piper’s Tryst was tasty and the film “The Old Man and his Gun,” the recently retired Robert Redford’s last film, was entertaining although a bit long-winded towards the end I thought. Also, at 82, Robert Redford was really too old to be playing a sixty year old. During our meal Davie regaled us with tales of his scientific exploits. He has recently had an exam, a viva, and a symposium as well as preparing the draft of his dissertation. I find it fascinating that I have given birth to a scientist considering how little I understand of science myself. Among many other subjects, we also discussed the uncanny valley, a concept which was news to me but I thought very interesting. Apparently robots that don’t really look very human, or robots who look exactly like humans, are acceptable to people. However in the middle of these two sides, which is the uncanny valley, the robots that look almost like humans, but not quite, make people feel uneasy and repulsed. It raises all sorts of questions about why this is, and explains why films with eerie dolls or evil clowns or zombies are scary.
We also caught David up with all of our news and plans. Ally appeared home later from his Christmas office night out in a very jolly mood, carrying a large doner kebab. 

Unicorn sighting

Today, as I was driving into Pollok Park to go for a walk with Kathryn, I saw a unicorn floating overhead! To be more accurate it was a child’s balloon in the shape of a unicorn, but its glittery pinkness looked surreal against the grey sky. Our walk culminated with coffee and excellent scones in the cosy basement café in Pollok House. 
In the afternoon I took Grandma for an eye check up at Hairmyres. We are well used to our routine now; I park at the drop off point, take Grandma in to the clinic, and then nip out to move the car to the car park. The process is reversed after the appointment.
Meanwhile, in London, Theresa May was having a much more stressful day, and ultimately survived a vote of no confidence against her by her own party. I don’t envy her. Politicians (of all parties) get a very bad press, but to be fair to them they at least start out striving for what they believe in, and it seems like an incredibly tough path to choose. 

Mild for December

Christmas is coming closer and closer. There have been a few frosty mornings, but not many. On one of these I was involved in a rescue of Mrs Wilson next door, who had slipped on the ice on her path. While trying to help her I slipped on the ice myself and skinned my knee, which was a bit embarrassing! Luckily another neighbour arrived and between the two of us we were able to help her back into her home, thankfully she was only a bit bruised.

However today I was struck by how mild it was when I was out and about. I had an appointment at the New Victoria Hospital in the afternoon about my persistent cough and as I strolled across the car park the breeze seemed almost warm. Having been cleared by ENT and Respiratory clinics, I have been referred to a physiotherapist. He is really positive and is convinced that the problem has been caused many years ago by a virus which affected my intercostal muscles. Strangely enough, I do remember something like this happening in the 1990s, I should have a look through my old diaries. So I have exercises to do which stretch the muscles around my ribs, and I have to gargle with mouthwash and use Vic’s menthol rub and be careful with my posture. I feel cautiously optimistic; it would be so great finally to get rid of this cough. My next appointment is in January. 

Mince Pies in Arrochar

We had very welcome houseguests at the weekend. Since their move North, we have urged Alison and Hugh to stay with us, not just to visit us, but also when they have appointments or social events in the Glasgow area. We were delighted when they took us up on this when they were attending a family party on Saturday evening. While they were out, James and I went to see the film of Mortal Engines, a book which all of our boys enjoyed when they were younger. It has a good story and the special effects of the huge traction cities were excellent. At the end credits we realised that our Peter Jackson theme of this year was continuing, because he was the producer! 

On Sunday we all (including Ally) went on the Hill-Walking Club annual Mince Pies outing. We walked about eight kilometres from Inveruglas to Arrochar and then had our celebration in the delightful Village Inn. They provided mulled wine and mince pies, and then who should appear but a rather familiar looking Santa, who gave us all gifts. Alison and Hugh fitted right in with the hill-walking club regulars and it was a really happy and convivial occasion. 

High maintenance Cleopatra

On Thursday evening I went to see NT Live’s Antony and Cleopatra with some of the girls from my Cambuslang book club, plus Heather who sportingly came along at the last minute when someone had to drop out. I had booked the tickets for the Odeon at Springfield Quay, and we all arrived in good time and settled into our comfy reclining seats. I really enjoyed it. Although I have a rudimentary knowledge of the story, I have neither read Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra nor seen it performed, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I found it exciting and fast paced, with an amazing revolving stage which whisked us from Egypt to Rome and back again. The actors were excellent, led by Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo in the title roles. When discussing it at the interval we all agreed that Cleopatra was very high maintenance! In fact both Antony and Cleopatra came across to me as very selfish, driven people, although their passion for each other seemed sincere. The ending involved a live snake which we were assured in the introduction would not be harmed in any way. Indeed, I noticed that after Cleopatra’s maidservant Charmian took her turn in being bitten by it, she managed to stagger behind the scenery long enough to return it safely to its handler before she finally keeled over! The play was long - three hours plus interval - but it held my attention and, being performed live in London, really felt almost like being at the theatre. 

Wet but fun weekend

It has been a very wet weekend but I think that we have made the most of it. James convinced me that  the weather forecast had said that Saturday would be the driest of the two days, so in the morning we set off to walk from Cambuslang to Blantyre, a walk that we have done before but not for a while. That’s probably why I had forgotten the distance and was surprised that it was 12 km. The good news is that I took it in my stride (literally!) Perhaps my recent attempts at running are making me a little bit fitter? James’ promises of dry weather were ill-founded and it drizzled steadily the whole time.
When I got home I luxuriated in a warm bubble bath before we headed out for our Saturday evening fun; dinner and then a concert. Heather, Ewan, Ally and Cat were all going to the Midland concert at the Old Fruitmarket, and James and I were going to Australian Pink Floyd at the Hydro at the other end of town. After dropping the car off at our favourite secret parking spot near the Hydro we jumped  on a train to Argyle Street and walked for about ten minutes to the Italian Kitchen to meet the others for dinner. On our way James pointed out that it was at the furthest end of Merchant City from the station and that we would be cutting it fine for our concert. I was of course thrilled that the timing necessitated a luxurious taxi ride back to the Hydro rather than a train - regular readers will know that I always have doubts about public transport due to many bad experiences. The meal was delicious - I have been to the Italian Kitchen quite a few times but I don’t remember being quite so impressed with the food as I was on Saturday; my risotto with haddock was excellent. The company was also most pleasant and we had a convivial meal, with Ally and Cat wearing cowboy hats in preparation for their country music concert.  I would have quite liked to see Midland myself, however James had booked tickets to Aussie Pink Floyd ages ago and I have to admit that they were very good. The enthusiastic middle-aged audience were 90% male and seemed to be impressed by the authenticity of the performance, which apparently has the blessing of the members of the real Pink Floyd. There was an Australian twist to the video clips, and near the end we were treated to a giant inflatable kangaroo bouncing up and down on the stage!
Sunday was indeed a much wetter day than Saturday. James needed new climbing boots so we went to Tiso and had a tasty lunch before James spent an inordinately long time trying on two near identical pairs of boots and testing them by walking round Tiso’s rocky track in the middle of the shop. And then we lit the fire in the lounge and had a cosy afternoon and read our books and made a few travel plans for next year. So although it was a wet weekend, it was actually rather lovely.