Run away and join the circus

Or, what I did at the weekend.

On Saturday, we just went for a bit of a wander round Silverburn.  I had to go into an opticians, as I'd managed to sit on the glasses I use to see (as opposed to the ones I use to read), and bent the shit out of one of the legs.  A big thank you to Vision Express, who fixed them, even though I'd not got the glasses there, and didn't charge me, but instead said that a donation to their charity jar would be payment enough.
Excellent service, that would actually make me consider using them the next time I need glasses.  Well done.

On Saturday evening, we headed over to Paisley to see the Moscow State Circus.  It's the third time we've seen them, and they always put on an excellent show.

Sunday saw me back at the climbing wall, where despite saying I'd not been in three weeks, and was going to take it easy, Al had me climbing routes that were almost at the limit of my ability.  I was helped in my endeavours by some encouragement from Jen, which went along the lines of "Climb bitch!".  Hey, it worked.

Sunday afternoon saw me and Karen taking a wee run down to Port Glasgow to visit Newark Castle, which would be in a really picturesque setting by the Clyde, if it wasn't for the shipyard right next to it.  Nevermind, it's a great wee castle, which is actually two castles built at two different times, one an extension the other.  This can be seen clearly in the different architectural styles.

Back home, and the weekend was brought to a close with a beer and a viewing of the totally awesome Paul.  If you haven't seen it, see it.  Embrace your inner geek.

Bike week and rain

Well, this is bike week in Glasgow, with the council hosting various events to try and get the average weegie off their arse and on a bike.  To be honest, the converted already have, and I wonder just how many people actually take up cycling after this annual bike-a-thon.  Those that do, probably give up after they realise just how potholed the city's streets are.

Anyway, true to form, it's bucketing down this week.  There's a gazebo being set up (tomorrow I think) to give out a free breakie to passing cyclists.  If the weather is anything like last year, I won't be stopping, as I'll be trying to get get to work asap to get a shower and dry off.

Anyway, that's the cynical rant over.  Anything that raises awareness of cycling is good in my book, but for once, could the rain just kindly f*** off?  Pretty please?

Back from Rennes

Last week I spent four days in Rennes for work.  Ok, it was one day travelling either end, and two days of meetings, but it was a good trip.

Day one saw an early start as the plane to Paris left at 0845.  Once at Charles de Gaul, it was down to the station to collect out tickets, the just barely time to grab a snack before jumping on the train for the three hour journey to Rennes.  Once there, a 5 minute metro ride and a 10 minute walk saw us in the hotel, where we dumped the bags and headed into town for a snack and a beer.

some French sausage with a sneaky beer peeking in at the top.

The next two days were full of meetings, but the company hosting them did take us out for dinner both nights. The first was to a creperie where the main courses where all made using black wheat (buckwheat) and the local speciality drink was Breton Cidre.  Very nice.

The second day, after all the meetings, dinner was at a seafood place, which fortunately for me, had steak as well.  Really nice dinner, then some of us headed into the wee square for a couple of drinks.  In reality, this resulted in leaving the pub at 1.00am, and not getting to bed till about 2.00am, the intenvening time being taken up with finishing our drinks in the square (the bars gave out plastic tumblers for people who hadn't finished) and taking about 80's thrash bands with one of the Irish contingent.  Bizzare but fun.

the wee square with the eateries and bars

Curry cravings

Lunchtime today I could have absolutely murdered for a curry, so off I trotted to the refectory, which I have to say, does actually do a good curry for a little over £2.  When I got there, horror of horrors.  There was no curry on today.  So, I've eaten, but am still craving that spicy goodness.

There's only one thing for it.  Curry for dinner.  Then I have to pack for France.  Can't leave it any later, I fly out tomorrow morning.

Must be a blue moon, here's an update

Yes, I've been a bit lax in the update department of late, but here we go.

Last weekend we were planning on visiting a Historic Scotland site, but that was knocked on the head when I couldn't find my membership card.  One phonecall and one day later, and I had my replacement.  Hat's off to Historic Scotland's customer service, it was outstanding.

This weekend, we took a wander to the Glasgow Panopticon where they were having a craft fair.  Chocolate fudge and home made soaps were bought.  The fudge was excellent.  The patchulli (sp) soap smells incredible.  We also discovered that the people who made and sold the soaps, were rat parents.  Until my dad died, we had kept rats for about 8 years. (We had to stop after he died, as he was out rat sitter when we went on holiday).

Sunday, I went for a wee bouldering session at the climbing wall, but it was short and sweet, as I was knackered after about 6 problems, and half an hour.  The rest of the day was a lazy veg out affair, with The Girl Who Played With Fire, and The Loved Ones (an Aussie horror) being the movies of the day.