Last weekend was spent in Glasgow. Firstly, there was an interesting four hours at Ninewells hospital in Dundee, for an appointment at 09:10 which was stretched somewhat by a fire alarm.  This occasioned a total lock down, that saw me ushered into the room where they keep the anaesthetics, since there was no siren there and it was therefore marginally less chaotic.  I could have helped myself to anything to calm the forthcoming trauma of an MRI scan, but I don’t do that stuff…..  Finally we trundled along the M8 to the Weeg.  We were only held up a wee bit by the traffic for the Take That gig at Hampden, much less than we expected to be.

I went to hear Paul Simon at the Armadillo, which was a fantastic night.  Highlights were: the acoustic rendering of Sound of Silence, and the inclusion of all the audience as his peers during Still Crazy.  The very first number was Boy in the Bubble which was most impressive, as the drums and Zydeco accordion crashed in together.  I struggled to find a review on line afterwards, seems that the national press relied on reviewers being present at Glasto instead.  Thanks to the Hootsmon for its sole presence at the first Scottish gig in years by one of the most important songsmiths of the twentieth century.

The next day we went to the new Riverside Museum, the building for which was designed by the internationally acclaimed architect Zaha Hadid.   Being the first weekend, it was mobbed, especially as it was free entry and had very good disabled access.  There are some fantastic exhibits, we’re looking forward to going back when it’s a little less busy though!  Up high I saw an Hercules bicycle just like the one I learned on.  There were also several full-size resin sculptures of horses and I was not the only one caught out clapping* one on the nose….. Pictures below.

*Clapping is Scottish for stroking an animal on the head or neck in an affectionate, fond manner.

But I would be not be convicted by a jury of my peers

Still crazy, after all these years.