All Aboard

Here’s the Wavelery moored on the River Clyde. Only the red stripe on the funnels make the picture look it wasn’t taken in black and white. Today has been grey and rainy.

Waverley was built on the river in 1947 and is the world’s last remaining sea-going paddle steamer. She was completley restored a few years ago and come the summer will set sail down the river, taking people out to tour the lochs and islands. So if you’re in town why not try jumping on board?

In case you’re wondering the curved glass building on the left is the Glasgow Science Centre and the tall structure is its viewing tower.

Game On

The Commonwealth Games will be arriving in Glasgow in 2014. In preparation for the event these murals have been poping up all over the city, and from what I can see, mostly on the supports under the motorways.

I snapped these ones, of hockey players and a swimmer about to dive in, while dodging the traffic to cross the road at the Clydeside expressway.

I think they’re a nice splash of colour in places that are normally dull and dirty, and give drivers something to look at when they’re stuck in the rush hour traffic.

All the World’s a Stage

Here’s the King’s Theatre, probably the best theatre in Glasgow for depth and breadth of performance. Drama, musical, dance and comedy – there should be a show for everyone with an interest in theatre.

Of course it also plays home to the legendary Christmas pantomime. The pantomime is based on traditional children’s stories (this year it’ll be ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) and has something for all the family including songs, dances, jokes, audience participation and men dressed as woman.

Don’t worry that last panto ingredient isn’t nearly as dodgy as it sounds.

Spring has Sprung

It looks like Spring might be here. After a cold and snowy Winter it was nice to be out and about. Today it was warm in the sun and the sky was blue but there’s a saying about Scottish weather that if you don’t like it, don’t worry because it’ll change in five minutes.

As sure sign of warmer weather is the return of birds that migrate south for the winter. As you can see  from the picture, it looks some of them have come back a bit bigger than usual.

This sculpture in the city centre is a giant peacock that sits on top of Princes Square, which is home to fashionable shops, bars and restaurants. The original building was completed in 1841 and to celebrate Queen Vicrtoria giving birth to the Princes of Wales was named Princes Square.

Make ‘Em Laugh

Glasgow plays home to a comedy festival every March and one the oldest, smallest and best venues to see live comedy is at The Stand in Woodlands.

Located in the basement of an old school, this small intimate venue is a favourite with performers and audiences alike. If you fancy a laugh then it can be a great night out but be warned that some of the performers can get a bit ‘adult’ with their topics and language.

And never ever heckle the comedian. They are much funnier than you and always win.

Weird and Wonderful

This caught my eye as I cycled from the city centre to the west end this evening. What is it? Well I’m not too sure! At first I thought it was just a pile of rubble but then I took a closer look. It seems to be be a scuplture of a mythical bird, or maybe even a dragon, guarding its nest of rubbish.

Unfortunately I couldn’t get up close as its in a fenced off garden so the mystery remains.

I’m going the call it the Garbage Griffin.

The Other National Drink

I was walking along the River Kelvin on my way home tonight and came across this excellent piece of graffiti done as part of a community project. This part of the wall shows a taxi painted in an Irn Bru livery.

How can I describe Irn Bru? Well the taste of this hugely popular soft drink is really unique and  something you need to experience for yourself! But this bright orange-coloured beveridge was born in Glasgow over 100 years ago, makes Scotland unique by being the only country where Coca-Cola isn’t number one, and inspired Sean Connery to put a crate of it into an exhibition in the National Museum of Scotland. If it’s good enough for 007, it’s good enough for me. 

As the advert says ‘It’s fizzy, it’s ginger, it’s phenomenal!’

A Different Light

One of the nice things about starting to take daily photos in Glasgow is that you start to see things in a different light.

Today I passed this monument that I’ve gone by hundreds of times but never really stopped to look at. It transpires that it’s the Cameron Memorial Fountain built in 1896. It was paid for by public doantions and built in honour of Sir Charles Cameron, a newspaper owner-editor and Liberal politician.

I wonder if you’d get people to put their hand in their pocket for today’s newspaper magnates or policticians?

Geometric Giant

Here’s The Beresford - Glasgow’s first skyscraper, which opened in 1938. The nice thing about the building is that its Art Deco style and colour really jumps out at you in a city full of Vicotrian sandstone design and modern glass office blocks. 

Originally a hotel, it was used by American GIs during the war, then in the 1960s Glasgow University bought it and used it as student halls of residence. In the last decade it was sold again, this time to be turned into private flats. Some of these can be hired out for a few nights if you’re in Glasgow and fancy staying!

It’s nice when buildings like this are used as part of everyday life, rather than turned into museums.

Happy Mother’s Day

Today is Mother’s Day, or Mothering Sunday if you prefer. In the present day, the religious history has all but disappeared and it’s a day for say ‘thanks’ to you mum for all that she does for you. So it involves lots of cards, flowers, chocolates and food.

I celebrated along with some of my family by taking my mum out for lunch at The Bothy. A Bothy is normally a basic shelter found up mountains but this one is a nice wee restaurant, and was packed with families doing the same thing. As you can see from the photo it was too cold to sit outside, so the name did seem appropriate.

Good food and good company. Thanks mums.