The Loveliness of Glasgow!

From the moment I got up Last Saturday morning I felt happy and was looking forward to a day, which, on paper, could have seemed very stressful!

• ·       10 – 1.30 Neighbours coming round and we are all having feet done
• ·       2 p.m. Go to West End to collect tickets
• ·       4.30 Pick-up shopping from Tesco
• ·       6 p.m. Meet in town for food
• ·       7.30 Be at Concert Hall

None of the things I had to do were independently demanding but, initially, when I thought of them all together, along with the three changes of clothes, parking, cash versus card etc. it all could have been a bit overwhelming.

However, that’s not how I’m living my life anymore and have started to thrive in the moment and nourish my time by making the most of every second, minute and hour.  Life is about enjoying and sharing and I had more than my fair share of friendship and fulfilment for 15 hours On Saturday.

My neighbours got to meet one of the most inspiring women I know who retired from teaching two years ago and has since set up her own business.  She had been a modern language teacher who was always interested in science and physiology.  When Lorraine retired she decided to retrain as a chiropodist and in the space of two years her dreams are coming to fruition. You can find her at the link below if you need to have your feet treated.

Funny Feet

Lorraine is delightful and explains everything so well that you can sense the passion and love of what she does at every moment of the experience.  My neighbours look after my dog so this was my treat to them.  They both suffer from ill health and don’t get out very much so meeting a ‘new friend’ was a highpoint for them.

1^st Fair swap of the day!

I then went off to the West End to meet my friend Michael who is a music teacher and was a student I worked with many years ago when we set up our very own Glee Club!  It was such a success we had to stop doing it because too many children were coming along.  We couldn’t cope alongside the job of covering all elements of the curriculum.  What a shame, especially working in Expressive Arts, we can’t represent what pupils would like because we are constantly tied up in red tape!

We met in Eusebi’s and I had a delightful time speaking to Giovanni, whom I’ve watched grow up into a fabulous, business woman, as well as bringing up her children.   Nico her son was also there working and is so handsome and polite that he is a ‘pure’ credit to her, and the rest of the family.  So the Eusebi legend carries on through the ages from Eddie and Gina to the young ‘uns!

Eusebis's

Michael and I decided to have a ‘buffet of cake’ instead of lunch.  Big mistake as I was buzzing ‘oot ma nut’ by the time I left.  Michael gave me tickets for Amadeus at the Concert hall and I paid for cake and coffee!

2^nd Fair swap of the day!

After a quick trip home to get I changed I was on my way to All Bar One to meet my friend Marlyn to go to the theatre.  The staff there are always delightful and we managed to get a table on what was a very busy day.  This place is always mobbed and must be one of the busiest bars in town on every day of the week.  Staff are always aware and I’ve never had to wait too long for anything no matter how busy they are.   They remember me and are always so smiley and helpful!  We had some delicious food which my friend kindly paid for! 

3rd Fair swap of the day!

Then we were off to The Royal Concert Hall to see a live performance of the Scottish National Orchestra playing along with the film Amadeus.  I had flashbacks of the last time I was there and had invited a ‘friend’ to the Opera.  He started snoring in the middle of it.  I was mortified and wanted to disappear from view of the ‘highbrows’ who were sitting all around us; a lot of whom I know.  I’m still trying to live that one down.  

  

So, I was very excited about going to this event, in such a fabulous venue, with someone who would really appreciate the skill involved in having a live orchestra playing along with a film for over three hours.  It was amazing and I almost forgot there was a choir and live Music…that’s how good these performers are. 

What I’m trying to say here is how great, generous, friendly, supportive and wonderful the people, hospitality, culture and generosity of our great City of Glasgow is and I am immensely proud to play a part in this in whatever small way I can.

The Mary has also been a big part of my week but for a change I am supporting her and I would ask, you if you are reading this, to say a wee prayer for my pal and hope that soon she will be out and about with me savouring delights and having fun ‘Up That Toon’!

Let Glasgow and all who help each other in it…Flourish!

See you the next time.

Mx

Click here to order my book!

Brutti Compadres!

Brutti Compadres

So the night The Mary says to me “What does it mean?”

“What?”  I said.

“Brutti Compadres!”

Roughly translated, I explained, “It means Ugly Friends!”   She smiled, stared at me with prolonged eye contact before saying;

“Right enough!”

In Italy a Compadre is expressed and represents family; it means much more than friend.  It could be could be, a Godfather, Godmother or Compari di Fede, which, here in Scotland, this would be the Best Man or Matron of Honour or simply the person who buys the rings.  I’m going to a wedding in Italy soon and the bride is the daughter of one of my best friends who is my Compare.

Rocchina was my Matron of Honour when I got married in Delcieto, Italy and I insisted it was her who signed the register.  This had been unheard of up until then because it was tradition for two elder, male, members of the family to fulfil this role in order to make it official.  I feel a bit stupid now because, the fact  padre is within the word and actually means Father I can see their point!

Click this link to havea look at the Deliceto Webcam: The Square you see is the equivalent of our George Square. 

It’s a very beautiful village nella provincia di Foggia!

My insistence was very controversial at the time!  As was, my lack of ability in the household stakes as I could not cook, crochet, knit, make my own clothes - or do what I was told.  Not much changed there then, although, it’s not because of lack of ability but by choice!  I think it’s important to support the workforce and leave everyone to their own area of expertise.  Take cooking for example, I love cooking but only when I feel like it! 

Now, I like to leave it to the experts to feed me!

I had booked Citation for tonight but The Mary and I got flashbacks of a time when it was a Court and couldn’t face the trauma of going back over the night when we were ‘held’ for trying to break into the City Chambers.  It had been quite innocent and we only wanted to slide down the bannister in the main hall.  The police could not understand when we explained our view that as, as tax paying citizens of the city, we had a right of entry.  We got huckled!

On that note we hop off up that toon to Brutti Compadre which is snuggled ‘in a small, secretive courtyard in the historical area of Glasgow’s Merchant City’.  It was built on the site of the former and original Tobacco Exchange and, like most areas of our city, has a really interesting history.

They serve food all day and have a marvellous selection of draught lagers, beers, fabulous wines and use fine, Italian coffee. They specialise in small plates but I have to say, having been before, they are quite substantial and I can only ever manage two.  They do food with a Mediterranean flair and change the menu seasonally.  

I love the outside area and remember saying to Stephen, the owner, years ago that it reminded me of bars in Norway in that no matter how cold it is you can sit outside.   They now provide blankets for your comfort.  Actually, I think that was my idea and I suggest that beer companies would do well to provide these as it would give them extra visibility in outside areas.

The staff are always on form and I love the fact that they remember me when I go in even if it’s been a while.  When I walked in the Gorgeous Ruth greeted me with, “Hi are you Margaret 6.15?” (I’d never met Ruth before and she is very clever and interesting) and then the very handsome James pounced on me with a hug and a kiss! 

It was a marvellous start to the evening: I do love a flouncy pounce! 

Like the staff, the atmosphere is vibrant and with an industrial style décor which has a very chic feel to it.

This has been one of my ‘go to’ places since it opened and if you get the chance seek it out and you will never be disappointed!

They also have a room downstairs which is perfect for a party of up to 50 people and while we were there a friend of my daughters was in making arrangements for his 30^th on Friday.  While he was chatting to us I waited for the invitation but it never materialised! OK then…Joe yurr bumped!

Someone recently introduced me as a Blogger but I think some bloggers are actually Blaggers and a lot of it is vanity but that’s not what we do.

What I am doing is writing about my experiences with my pal, The Mary, and the times we have in our great City meeting new people, supporting new and small businesses and revisiting our past with friends, family and the wonderful people of Glasgow!

Let Glasgow and all who care for her Flourish!

See you the next time!

Mx

To buy my book click on the link below!

The Mental Pause by Rusty Bernard - Memoirs of a Gorbal's Girl

GeorgeSquare Webcam!

To book a table click this link!