Glesca' 7 August

Allan, Davie C, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Peter, Robert, Ronnie

There was light rain as we assembled in the Concert Hall café for the walk out to the Commonwealth Arena. True to form, Peter arrived on the half hour, but we were glad to see him nonetheless after a few weeks’ absence.

The rain cleared away as our route took us straight down Buchanan Street and continued to the Clyde walkway and along to Glasgow Green. We skirted the People’s Palace and took time to inspect the new national Hockey Centre where a ladies practice session was taking place. Some of our number had to be prised away before we could follow the walkway as far as Rutherglen Bridge and then cut off ‘inland’ and walk adjacent to the Clyde Gateway until we reached the Emirates (do they sponsor everything these days?) Arena. As we had already identified, we were not to be allowed access to the velodrome today as there was a competition on and, despite our best attempts at blagging our way through for a ‘keek’, the custodians of the building were not to be budged.

Nevertheless, the visit was worthwhile just to spy out the land, and copies of the Commonwealth Games Ticketing Guide were eagerly gathered up.

Being adjacent to Celtic Park brought tears to those who worship at Paradise. Malcolm, not accustomed to knowing what a Premiership ground looks like, was in tears for an entirely different reason. The stadia (no doubt someone will correct me on the plural, stadia or stadiums?) looked brilliant in the lunchtime sunshine, but hunger was being felt by some, well, Robert actually, and we quickly made our way down London Road, past Bridgeton Cross, and on to the West Brewery for lunch and refreshments. Peter took a half pint before leaving us to go Miller’s art shop but his substitute, Johnny’s daughter, Kate, joined us, just as some  were losing the power of speech.

A good day out!

P.S. Both Ronnie and Ian have become grandfathers again, so congratulations to them, and thanks to Ronnie for buying the first round. Our best wishes are passed on to Ian.