King Tut's and Jamie Oliver's

We headed off by train to Glasgow on Thursday evening (16th February) to see Billy's friend Brian Sinclair and his band 'Ten Gallon Bratz' playing at King Tut's.   Brian plays the drums.

We stopped off for a bite to eat beforehand.  I had always wanted to try a Jamie Oliver restaurant and about a 10 minute walk from Glasgow Queen Street railway station in George Square is Jamie's Italian.  I ordered Wild Black Truffle Risotto (real truffles) and lemon tart for dessert - it was absolutely delicious.   Billy had seafood - his favourite.

Jamie's Italian Restaurant, Glasgow

Restaurant front entrance

Building - ground floor.

King Tut's is a widely known venue and despite its size has been voted 'best small venue in the UK'.  Many bands have been discovered here - one in particular - 'Oasis'.

Others who have played gigs at King Tut's early in their careers include Biffy Clyro, Coldplay, Beck, Blur, Crowded House, The Strokes, Franz Ferdinand and Travis, who played the live music venue regularly under their original name of Glass Onion.

Ten Gallon Bratz on stage.  Unfortunately I was way too close to a large speaker and the camera mic has distorted the sound...Grrrr.

Irn-Bru

Irn-Bru is a Scottish carbonated soft drink, for long advertised as "Scotland's other national drink".

Irn-Bru was first produced in 1901, in the town of Falkirk, under the name Strachan's Brew. In 1946, a change in laws required that the word brew be removed from the name, as the drink is not brewed.

It has long been the most popular soft drink in Scotland, with Coca-Cola second, but recent competition between the two brands has brought their sales to roughly equal levels.

 The 'official' Irn-Bru Christmas advert - Snowman flying with a boy through Scotland.

 I prefer this one...the Scottish Grannies.

 

Farewell to Michael and Sharon at Number 16

Our close group of neighbours at Gairloch Crescent were invited to Michael and Sharon's house on Friday evening, 3rd February.  Michael and Sharon are off to live in France.  Sharon is an artist and the painting of the dog (above Michael's head) in the photo below is one she has done.

Billy with Michael in the background.

Some of Sharon's paintings are in the King's Court Gallery in Falkirk

The camera ran out of puff!

Number 16 Gairloch Crecent

Robert Burns

A Burns supper is a celebration of the life and poetry of the poet Robert Burns, author of many Scots poems. The suppers are normally held on or near the poet's birthday, 25 January, sometimes also known as Robert Burns Day or Burns Night (Burns Nicht).

Here we are with our close neighbours at Helen McNee's house having a Burns supper on Friday, 28 January.  Helen is our next-door neighbour on the left at Number 24. 

Helen, another neighbour, with her husband Johnny [seated], reciting Burns 'Ode To A Haggis'.

Haggis, neeps (turnips) and tatties.

The two Helens.

Helen's dogs - Bayley and Barney.

The wee dogs enjoying Billy playing his accordian.

Ken, Helen and Billy.  Helen's wearing a 'See You Jimmy' hat.

Raspberry Cranachan - traditional Scottish dessert.

Manchester

I forgot about these ones.  Here I am at Manchester United last year (4th October).  Billy had to deliver a coach back to the supplier in Manchester and we trained it back home.

Heading to Old Trafford Stadium, the home of Manchester United Football Club.

 

Happy New Year

Billy had a New Year coach group of 50 people for 4 days staying at the Garve Country Hotel, Garve in the Highlands.  The tour departed from Edinburgh on 30 December with a half day of shopping in Inverness.

Garve Country Hotel

Reception

Restaurant - breakfasts and evening meals

'Peter Pan' Pantomime

A visit to the Heather Centre in Aviemore

Boarding Billy's coach and heading home.

Lunch break in Pitlochry

Pitlochry - 2nd January 2012

Sleepy cat at the Heather Centre