Keeping on the River

Continuing on the theme of the Clyde.

I came across the Clyde Site Magazine website, the other day, it contains lots of interesting information, stories and pictures of the Clyde, past and present.

The picture above shows the the old Queen and Prince Docks, on the Clyde. If you look down to the bottom of the picture you can make out the North and South rotundas. The docks to the north is where the SECC building and car parks are now located. The docks to the South is where the Science centre, Imax and Tower are located. It's quite amazing how different those areas are now. This image came from an article '50 years of the Clyde' it describes and maps the different docks along the Clyde, it's fasinating how many docks have been filled in over the years, and how their names have changed. It's well worth a look.

Where we're going, we won't need roads . . .

All images from CBRD site

The subject header above is a fine sentiment from the Doc * but until the flying car does get invented it appears that roads are exactly what we are going to get.

We've posted before that we are "slightly" sceptical about the building of the new M74 which is going to drive right through the Southside cutting us off large chunks from the City Centre. Six lanes of two storey motorway is not going to be the most pleasant thing to walk under to work each morning. The promise of less congestion has also been rubbished by several universities and road research groups along with the Governments own independent report. More roads = eventually more cars, seems to be the rule apparently.

It could, however, have been a lot worse.


The building of the M74 is the final stage of the great Glasgow highway plan of the 1960's when roads were seen as the future and salvation of humanity. No problems, it appears, could not be solved by chucking roads at them. Across the UK, rails lines were ripped out, trams were dug up and new roads sprung up all over the place as the nation become more and more dependant on our cars.

The original plans though would have been even more crazy as you can see from the very entertaining and very thorough review of "A Highway Plan for Glasgow" on CBRD site.

Its very interesting reading and I love some of the artist proposals, showing families sitting at picnic benches under a 6 lane highway. The aerial view above shows Glasgow as a city full of black shimmering roads, surrounded by trees with only a smattering of cars happy zipping around.

The site also has photos of where the route went wrong, where the left overs can be seen today and where the road would have gone had the entire plan been carried out at the time.

Thankfully it wasn't, but sadly it looks like the powers at be have decided to dust down the proposals and finish the job. Lets hope they know when to stop. I remember flicking through a few of these past plans, when I went to the Mitchell a couple of years ago, some of the other proposals of the time were to: sink George Square by 2metres, knock down the Mitchell Library, City Chambers and large chunks of the city centre and .

Another good site to visit on this topic is pathetic.org.uk which charts pathetic motorways around the country - from ones which are only a few meters long, to ones that are just a bit of a mess ie the M74.

*Doc Brown "Back to the Future Part II"

Xrays

Yesterday I went to get an Xray on my ankle which I'd hurt playing football a few weeks ago. I probably should have gone at the time, as my foot was a lovely blue colour and was twice the size it should have been but I didn't and when I eventually did go to the doctors it was merely an uncomfortable and odd shaped lump.

The doctor advised that she thought I'd fractured a bone and that an xray was in order. She gave me a wee card and told me to go between the hours of 9am and 5pm any day of the week. So not wanting to be to late for work I decided to head down there really early yesterday morning and get first in line. I walked over to the Victoria Infirmary at 8:30 only to find that the xray clinic door was locked. I took a seat and waited. About 9:30 someone eventually walked passed and I tried to follow them through the door - only for them to tell me that on Thursdays the clinic doesn't open until 11am.

Victoria Infirmary - Xray clinic

This was a bit of a pain as it meant I had an hour and a half to kill. But it was a pretty nice day so I went for an adventure around Battlefield. I met some really nice people in a couple of local family run businesses and it reminded me of a project I recently read about on the Queens Park Camera Club website. (I'll post separately about the shops I went into later.)

New Victoria Hospital being built - looks a bit crappy from the mock proposed image.

I then took a wander along to see the new Victoria Hospital being built across the road from the original. I knew vaguely that there had been a bit of controversy over its building - relating to the costs involved and local concerns of that the range and quality of care available would be downsized but from reading through some articles on the web it is probably going to be a much healthier building once its completed and will combine a lot of new services - albeit there won't be an A+E anymore, which will move to Southern General.

I hate to see old buildings like the Victoria not able to meet the gowing demands of their original purposes, and I worry that developers are a bit quick to right off old buildings as not fit for purpose to get their hands on the land - its a big problem at the moment in Glasgow, with old schools, Churches and hospitals being sold off all over the city. The Victoria is a really nice old building and sadly apparently only the back section (the bit facing the Queens Park) is listed so who knows what the developers plans are for the rest of the place. I'd like to think it could become a real mixed use site maybe with a nice hotel over looking battlefield rest - but I'm pretty sure we can almost guarantee it will be "luxury" flats within two years.

The staff I chatted with in the hospital were a bit pessimistic about the whole thing. They are partially looking forward to the new building - but a lot of services are going to move to the Southern General over at Govan and some people were still not sure where they'll end up working in a years time.

Whatever happens I hope that the area around the Victoria Infirmary continues to thrive. I haven't spent a lot of time over there but it seems a really nice wee community with a good mix of new deli's, coffee shops and old traditional stores run by generations of the same family.

Theres a book on sale about the old hospital available in the shop.

PS - good news I've not fractured the bones - it looks like just bruised tissue which should fix itself up in no time.

Links: the Glasgow story, Annan images of old hospitals, BBC article about new hospital

The Govan Portal

I've been keeping a close eye on the development of 'The Portal' on Govan Road. It's being organised by the Govan Housing Association and is supported by various organisations including the Scottish Arts Council, Community Scotland, Glasgow City Council and the Central Govan Masterplan.

The initial project is to develop three empty shop units, at the corner of Howat Street and Govan Road, into Artist units. These have already been allocated to Roots in the Community, who are managing access to the studios, and Plantation organisations. The third unit is being turned into a working pottery.

Currently GHA are working on funding the second stage of the project, renovating the adjoining three units, these spaces havn't been allocated so if anyones interested, contact Govan Housing Association and they'll pass on your details to Roots in the community.

Personally I think this will be great for Govan and will hopefully restore some life and pride into that area of Govan Road.

GHA: 'we do hope that this will be a very exciting addition to Central Govan and it is due to come off site mid September.'

The Govan Housing Association has promised to keep us informed about the development and when the launch party is happening. The units are due to be opened in September so we'll keep you posted.

Link: Clyde Water Front Regeneration

Over the moon

The STV film website, mentioned previously, is really good - it's got tons of short films about different aspects of Scottish life - from whole episodes of Tom Weir adventuring about in his little red bobble hat, to histories of politics in Scotland, to guides on how to put on your kilt properly.

We did a little search for Glasgow related items and found, a couple more films about the Clyde regeneration, a film about Glasgow Parks and a short film about the renowned guitar maker Jimmy Moon of Moon guitars whose workshop is down a lane off Pollokshaws Road.

Have a look at their website and check out all the famous bands and artists who have visted the Southside to buy a new guitar. Its great that there is such a fine specialist in Glasgow and even more interesting for me as I actually look out my back window onto Moon guitars shop and have been meaning to go in for a visit since I moved back to the Southside a few years ago. In the summer its great as I can hear the sound of lovely acoutic music drifting in the open window. (Occaisonally I also enjoy the sound of someone skillfuly practising bagpipes from somewhere nearby. Anyone know where its coming from?)

River views

There have been a few interesting programmes on in recent weeks regarding the future of the Clyde - one on the Beeb and one on STV.

As evident by all the cranes everywhere, there are tons of things being built at the moment and the films give a brief taster into some of these projects. It was interesting to compare the approach of the two shows - the Beeb one was a bit more investigative and pessimistic, the STV one on the other hand was a bit too like a tourist promotion film. The truth probably falls someplace in between - one things for certain the Clyde is going to be very different in the future, hope its not all Luxury flats though.

I've not been able to find an online copy of the BBC film but the STV one is available to watch on their site.

Part 1

Part 2

[EDIT]

There is an interesting post by the Architect Neil Stephen, from Dualchas Building Design, on Scottish Architecture.com, about the Clyde redevelopment Click Here to read the post.

Glasgow Residents Network

As we've gone about collating sites for our link page, we've discovered what a wealth of people there are, who are trying to make Glasgow (and the south side) a fitter, healthier and happier place. We've added a ton of links, including links to various Community Councils who are all trying to do good work in the city and are always looking for public members to come all and get involved.

One site we found today was the Glasgow Residents Network which is "an evolving coalition of residents associations and communities from across Glasgow, drawn together to work for better stronger communities, and a better fairer city for all our citizens."

Very informative site, not sure I agree with all their opinions, but it makes for interesting reading and does get you thinking about issues in the city. For example, the image above which we found on their site but which is from Glasgow Lost gives ten facts about the new CaSG which I've not seen written about else where.

Killer rabbits

Last night I went along to the Queens Park Users Group meeting at the Glass House, Queens Park. Sadly there were only three other local residents. There were a couple of police officers to give a crime report for the area (53 folk were reported to the prosecrator fiscal for drinking in the park in july apparently) and the council were well represented, with the Area manager, the local development officer and Parks manager all there but it would be good to have more local folk involved. The guys from the council very helpful, they chaired the meeting and advised the group on the progress to repair various items within the park, how improvents to the play areas are developing, and the plans to have the stair urns at Victoria Road replaced.
There was also news of a "rabbit problem" - apparently the rabbits are breeding out of control and the foxes are too busy eating out the local bins to bother chasing them. This has resulted in the rabbits going on an eating spree and the council are having constant problems with their planting getting munched as soon as it is in the ground. The Park Managers cat is trying to do its bit, and is getting a couple of rabbits a day but its not really enough. I think they should maybe reintroduce wolves to the park, possibly bears. This would quickly solve the rabbit problem and would probably be a good way of dealing with the kids drinking in the park as well. (Not sure what they do if the bears start breeding out of control though.)
I also had a good chat with Jim Paterson, the man behind the mini festivals that have taken place in different parks in the Southside this summer, including the upcoming fun days in Kings Park on Saturday and Queens Park on Sunday. (For a programme of events click here.) Looks a fun line up, I like the sound of the dog and duck show - one man and his dog but with ducks.

EDIT: Here's some of our photos from the day- It was a fun day with lots going on - my favourites were the falconry show especially when the turkey vulture escaped and pecked a woman on the head, and the excellent dog and duck show. One man and his dog herding a pack of ducks around an assault course. The host was brilliant - like a Victorian circus ring master, the kids absolutely loved it.



minutes of the meeting page 1, page 2, page 3

Victoria Gardens

What green fingers we Southsiders doth have. We just remembered that someone from the New Victoria Gardens in Pollokshields had given us the above flyer when we were at the Bungo in the Back lanes the other month. Their display that day was very impressive and the plants were pretty cheap. I think I'll go along and buy a couple new ones as I dug up all my potatoes on Sunday and have some empty pots to fill. (The potatoes were delicious by the way - made into a mash with some sweet potatoes and served with some haggis and crunchy broccoli - yum.)

Last weekend's allotment open day in Queens Park suffered from some pretty abysmal weather but this weekends forecast is slightly better so come along and enjoy the fun.

Also remember the mini festival at Kings Park on Saturday and the boat party/ mini Southside festival on the Sunday. The more people that we get along the better - as it will mean more investment for the real thing next year.

Film night

Just recieved the below email through JAM74 about another interesting event going on in Glasgow. Its taking place in the north of the City but as most of the subject is Southside related, I think its allowed.

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Neighbours, back gardens and climate chaos - a filmnight for the Dear Green Place, 7pm, Wednesday 22ndAugust 2007, CCA cinema (CCA 4) Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA), 350 Sauchiehall Street, GlasgowAdmission free (but ticketed).

Four short films presenting different approaches to how ordinary individuals can respond to local and global environmental issues.

Celebration of Allotments
(Directors Ruth Clark andDianne M. Barry), 2004.

Interviews with plot-holders and scenes from allotments in Glasgow. Celebrates the benefits -growing food, contact with nature, health and community engagement as well as some of the problems facing plot-holders.

Permaculture - People connecting with their Communities
(Director: David Newbiggins), 2007

How a project in Govanhill worked with community members from many different backgrounds and age groups. Re-generating greenspaces and backcourts, people took more pride in where they lived and saw the outdoors as a healthy social meeting and learning space.

GOW Community Impact
(Director: G-MAC with Editing byCraig Walker), 2007

A small community living in the West End of Glasgow strive to transform their previously neglected, rubbish filled backcourt into an urban oasis. This film explores the impact of the work on the area by interviews with residents and local traders"

Reclaim Power , voices from the camp for climate action 2006
(Director - a cine rebelde film) 2006

In 2006, over 600 people converged on a field inYorkshire for 10 days, and held over 100 workshops, ranging from alternative technology to the KyotoProtocol to non-violent direct action training. They made decisions collectively, without'leaders', and produced their own energy using solar panels, biodiesel, and a wind turbine. Many of them used also used the camp as a base for non-violent direct action against industrial polluters such as Drax, the largest coal-fired power station inthe UK.

Total running time: 1 hr 52 mins

The films will be introduced by Martha Wardrop. There will be time for discussion and questions regarding the current climate change campaigns following the films. Tickets will be available on the night of the screening, but if you wish to get one in advance please contact the CCA box office a week or so before the screening. All tickets are free.

CCA box office: 0141 352 4900

The Great Scottish Run

Glasgow's Great Scottish Run, sponsored by Fresh 'n' Low, takes place on Sunday the 2nd of September and starts in George Square and finishes in Glasgow green, but the majority of the run is through the southside of the city. You have the option of running either the 10 km run or the half marathon. There is still time to sign up.

It's a great route taking you over Kingston Bridge, down Paisley Road West, through Bellahouston and Pollok park, then up through Shawlands and right down Pollokshaws road before turning into the Gorbals and across the river.

If your not up for taking part, get out on the street and give them a cheer.

Murder by Candlelight

I think we mentioned this previously in our post of suggestions of things to do on fair weekend but it sounds a fun event and therefore worthy of its own post.

Pollok House, located in Pollok Park, is a beautiful old victorian mansion which was built by the rich landowning Maxwell family. The building is now a museum run by the National Trust of Scotland - though apparently there is still a small flat in the converted servents quarters where the Maxwell decendants stay when they are in Glasgow. Its grand looking place - with each room laid out as it would have been back when it was first built - the library in particular is quite stunning with a vast array of books. If you like looking at old things - then it is right up your cup of tea - if you don't like old things then you might get bored after the first half dozen rooms. The staff are very friendly and helpful - almost a little too keen to impart their knowledge of the building and its history onto you.

There are two great wee gift shops full of the usual fare as well as some mock old victorian style gifts and a cafe in the servents basement which looks straight out of a BBC drama.

Its quite expensive to get in (ticket prices and info) - but this is because its not a City Council run building and the NTS need the cash to maintain it, and their other buildings. That also means if you are an NTS member then you do get in for free.

For the next month however visitors are getting even more for your money as the building is also hosting a murder mystery. We're not entirely sure what this entails, their website may be able to give more information but it sounds really good fun - the building is ideal for it, very Agatha Christie or Sherlock Holmes. Good luck all budding detectives - "The game is afoot".

BBC Film Festival

Since Glasgow green is just a hop, skip and a jump from many Southsiders. I think it's only fair to mention the up coming BBC Glasgow film festival, hosted by Danny Wallace, at Glasgow green on the 9th of September.

There is a 'meet the maker tent', 'a weird and wonderful tent' and on top of all that, they're showing three films, Spider Man Three, Gold Finger and Notes on a Scandal.

The festival is free, but you have to register to get a ticket and our sources say they're going quickly.

Links

We cover alot of places, organisations, people and services within the site, and have decided to have a links section. Rather then hunting for the relevant post you can come here and find it...Genius


Southside info
Some of the best of the rest of the Southside sites
Govanhill CG - Govanhill community group
MFCC - Mount Florida Community Council
Radius - sustainable development through creative projects
S&S - Shawlands and Strathbungo Community Council
Southside News - Website of the Southside's local newspaper
Strathbungo Society - Strathbungo community group
Walmer Crescent Association - Walmer Crescent Association
Urban Roots - A community led organisation in Toryglen


Creative Folk
There are hundreds of creative folk in this great city, here's some sites to browse through.
Fish and Game - Glasgow performance group
Galgael - Govan ship builder with a difference
Hole in my Pocket - Glasgow based artists
QPCC - Queens Park Camera Club
The Fridge Gallery - Art gallery in Govanhill
Eastwood Photographic Society - Eastwood Camera club
New Moves - Company behind the National Review of Live Art and the New Territories Festival


Art /Theatre/Music Venues/Festival
Fancy a wee bit of culture, be it a play or exhibition.
Glasgow Theatre - History of theatre in Glasgow
The Tramway - Theatre, Art Venue, cafe
The Citizens Theatre - Theatre located in the Gorbals
The Odeon at the Quay - for all the hollywood blockbusters
House for an Art Lover - Mackintosh building in Bellahouston Park
The 02 Academy - The Southside's largest music venue
The Southside Festival - The Southside's largest festival
Pollok House Arts Society - Bring world class artists to perform in Pollok House.
Other Venues
Pollokshaws Burgh Hall - Venue in Pollokshaws
Polloksheilds Burgh Hall - Venue in Polloksheilds



Little kids and Big kids Day out for the kids?
The Science Centre - For the mad scientist in you


Southside Groups
AGTS - The Alexander Greek Thomson Society
Cathcart Circle - A history and study of its Architecture
SSC - The Southside Speakers Club
The Scottish Idlers Guild - Idle be as idle does

Southsider Blogs What have we southsiders got on our minds?
Alburt's blog - Adventures and roof top gardens
Cartside - Cartsiders take on a varied range of topics
Getting worse - what's wrong with the southside
Leyton - A techie southsider
Platos Way - An estuate gentleman southsider
On the road - A newly arrived resident to Glasgow and the southside
Food and Drink Glasgow - A Southsiders thoughts on eating in Glasgow Battlefield Blogger's weblog - Life in Battlefield


Green info
Do your bit for the environment and use these sites below to recycle and reuse your unwanted stuff.

Dear Green Place - The people who produced the Green Map of Glasgow
Second Oppurtunities - Reusing/recycling furniture
Starter Pack - reusing/recycling
Freeserve - post your unwanted stuff and people will come around and take it away for free Freecycle - a site for reusing and swapping
Farmers Market - not reuse but buying your goods from here, cuts down on the old carbon foot print


Useful Info Met Check - whats the weather like in Glasgow
If you have a suggestion or would like your link added, then send us an e-mail

The Glasgow Green Map

I've just found the most fantastic site and Alburt will love it. Alburt is a self confessed charity shop lover. He's always buying books, board games and Jigsaws [there for Gav].

Anyway I've just discovered Glasgow Green Map a fantastic site set up to produce a green map of Glasgow, highlighting all the Charity shops and reuse organisations in the city.

'The first Glasgow wide Green Map, marketed under the eco brand name dear green place, has been published. 20,000 copies of the map will be distributed throughout the city over the next month.This 'Reuse' themed map features over a 120 charity shops and community based enterprises that provide people with the opportunity to donate and buy reusable house hold goods.This is the first time that information about these opportunities has been collated and published.

Each year in Glasgow over 145,000 items that could be reused currently go to landfill. This project aims to encourage people to find an alternative way of disposing of these valuable resources and support the community based initiatives that provide these services.

You can get your very own copy by emailing info@deargreenplace.org

Allotments & ships

We've had an email to let us know that Queens Park allotments are having an open day this coming Saturday from 12 - 4. Being a keen gardener - (I have a ton of mini veg growing in pots in my stairwell and on my roof) I look forward to seeing some proper gardeners, wonder if they will have any giants turnips.

We've also been chatting with the GSSMS (Glasgow south ship modellers society) who are having a 100th birthday party for the duck/ boating pond in Queens Park on Sunday the 19th from 11 - 4. We spoke to the council who are backing the event and they sent us the below information:

Queens Park Sunday 19th August
Land & Environmental Services supported by Southeast Community Planning Partnership, Culture & Sport Glasgow, Queen’s Park Model Boat Club and other agencies are holding the Queen’s Park Community Fun Day in Queen’s Park on Sunday 19th August - 12.00 noon until 5.00 pm.

The event highlights the positive aspects of life in the South Side of Glasgow and promotes social inclusion and community development. Activities and entertainment will include music and dancing stages, falconry displays, dog n duck display, free bouncy castles, pipe band, dray rides, children's games and much more. Model boat exhibits and displays will also take place at the boating pond to celebrate the clubs 100th regatta.

The Council also advised us about another event

Kings Park Event Saturday 18th August
Land & Environmental Services supported by Southeast Community Planning Partnership, Culture & Sport Glasgow, King's Park and Croftfoot Community Council, The Friends of Kings Park and other agencies are holding the Kings Park Community Fun Day in Kings Park on Saturday the 18th August - 12.00 noon until 5.00pm.
Building on last years successful event which attracted over 3000 visitors this years attractions include music and dancing stages, falconry displays, magic shows, free bouncy castles, plant sales, dray rides, children's games and much more.

Both events are free. The contact is James Paterson and he can be reached on 0141 632 5763.

New news and some news about news

Firstly, following requests, we have added an RSS fee to the site - you can sign up to it at the bottom right of the page. We've never used these before so let us know if it works.

Secondly, the new issue of the local newspaper G41 is out now, priced 50p and available throughout the G41 postcode. They also run a great site which covers lots of things going on in the G41 area. http://www.g41.org.uk/

In their issue this month - they discuss the plans to put up lights and a Christmas tree around Shawlands this coming winter for us to all stare at and be merry. Not sure where it will go - the little triangle opposite the Shed would seem the most likely place - but then surely that is like setting a challenge to drunk students on their way home to see who can reach the top.

Thirdly, the BP station on Pollokshaws Road opposite Queens Park has closed for six weeks while it goes through a transformation to become a Marks and Spencers - bringing tasty grub and a new cafe to the Southside - good news as well its going to be open 24 hours a day so we can get expensive, tasty grub on our way home from the pub.

Science Centre

I've got some family over from Canada at the moment and so we decided to do something touristy and took them along to the Science Centre at Pacific Quay/ Cessnock on Monday.

It was absolutely hoaching with people - there were millions of kids just running around, playing with all the different exhibits, giggling, screaming and generally having a great time.

From previous visit I knew that the exhibits are mainly aimed at kids, but there is enough going on to keep the big people occupied too. There are hundreds of different little stands, covering all aspects of science - from light refraction and prisms, to motor power/ pendulums and pistons, to biology and the inner working of the human body. Each is explained through a simple working model/ test/ game or experiment and a short card explaining the principles. I got the feeling that kids were more interested in playing the games and moving on as fast as possible and not so bothered about hanging around to understand what it was all about. Kids probably get more out of it if some of the principles have been discussed before they get there.

While most of the Centre seems to stay the same, there are enough changing pieces to make return visits worthwhile - not sure if the changing of items is due to design or due to over enthusiastic kids puling to hard. My favourite thing - as was the case on my previous trips - was the reaction wall - a wall covered in little white dots which light up randomly. The time it takes for you to hit a sequence of these is recorded and you can add you time to a long list on the wall. (I got 2.17secs this time - not my best, but there was a large line of kids waiting for a shot so I couldn't practise for long.) We then took a break to get some food - the last time I was there they had a really nice wee cafe. Not sure if they were having problems yesterday - but there was next to no food and hardly any staff serving. We ended up with some rubbishy wee pies and some crisps. Quite disapointing when there are large images of fresh sandwhichs and piping hot soup hanging up all over the place and pretty unhealthy - given we'd just learned about eating rubbish in the biology exhibit upstairs.

One new exhibit - which I didn't manage to get a shot of - was the brain power machine. You and an opponent sit at opposite ends of a table with headbands on which run to a small machine and which in turn are connected to a glass tube, fixed to the table. In the tube is a a ball and the idea is that you try and enter a calm, meditative like state which then forces the ball into the other players goal and you win. looked like good fun and I might have to go back another time to check it out.

We missed out on the brain machine as we had tickets for the planetarium show - which was brill and well worth the extra £2. It is a bit short and is aimed at the kids - with some audience partition required in the form of oohing, aahing and pretending to blow away the clouds. The effect however is amazing and you really do feel like you are lying back looking up at a glorious, clear, star filled sky. Not sure if they run any other kinds of talks - maybe aimed at older kids/ grown ups, or if they run specific talks that you can go to without having reattend the rest of the centre, but if they don't, then they should.

We also didn't make it to any of the free, workshops/ talks or experiment which take place throughout the day in the various lecture theatres, lab rooms - these too look like fun and allow the kids to dress up in lab coats and play about with some experiments. Actually when I think about it, despite being there for three hours we hardly scratched the surface of the place - not only did we not do the above, we also didn't go to the upper floor or manage to go to the Imax or even go up the tower. A second trip is in order.

Science Centre - whats on and directions

LUV Gallery

Sorry for the lack of posts this week, but we've both had that cold that everyone has at the moment. The other day, in an attempt to make myself feel better, I went down to the LUV cafe for lunch...ah well they make scotch broth just like my mums. I sat outside in the sunshine, it was nice. The people in the flats beside the cafe have great gardens, loads of garden ornaments like windmills and gnomes. One must have a sensor in it, because as you walk past, it wolf whistles..ah it always makes me smile. Anyway I went across to the LUV Gallery, they have an exhibition of Christopher Biddy's work. Very glasgow, painting of tenements and other Glasgow buildings etc nice for a browse if your down there.