10/11 August: Culture, Curry and yet more Culture

Decisive as ever, the Ooters made a very early decision to abort the proposed visit to Dunure in light of the dire, and in the event accurate - weather forecast for Wednesday.

Instead we opted to visit the Riverside Museum in Glasgow - the new home of the Museum of Transport and Travel.

Six Ooters (Robert, Paul, Allan, Davie, Malcolm and Johnny) were outside the Museum waiting for the doors to be opened at 10 am. Whilst we waited we marvelled at the water feature, which had gone unreported in all press articles about the new museum. Water cascaded from the roof onto the ground close to the main doors. It was quite reminiscent, on a larger scale, of the indoor cascade at the Dalmellington Inn.

The overall verdict on the museum was positive. One or two Ooters lamented the fact that compared to the Kelvin Hall Museum it was less of a "hands on" experience - but then Ooters are always complaining about the lack of hands on experiences.

Two hours was about right for the visit and when we left just after midday the car park, which was empty when we arrived, was stowed out and traffic was backed up to the main road. During the school hols in Glasgow, when the weans are whining and wailing, a wet Wednesday works wonders for the pursuit of culture.

We decided to lunch at the Ashoka in Ashton Lane, so we left the cars in the usual spot behind the Botanic Gardens and walked through the near-empty gardens. Allan complained about the hill at the entrance to the gardens. The business lunch menu was chosen and was voted a success.

The Ooters new-found decisiveness was in evidence again when the Christmas Lunch was booked!

A fine day, making the most of the rotten weather.


Glasgow Group Exhibition

On Thursday evening, at Peter's invitation, the same personnel (along with wives and some children, or was it children and some wives?) attended the preview of the Glasgow Group Art Exhibition in the Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine.

The exhibition was impressive, but the kitty was insufficient to purchase anything, although Allan had obviously been watching too much of the London lootings for he was seen, at one point, with one of Peter's paintings under his arm.

For the ex-KA contingent it was a chance to meet up with former friends and colleagues. Established artists Jim Wylie and Dougie Lennox were there as was up-and-coming artist Andy Lindsay. Painting in oils is a new direction for Andy for your scribe only remembers him as a p*** artist (only joking!) Andy claims to read the Ooters' blog occasionally - but Johnny still gave him an Ooters' card.