How we look at things

This afternoon was the first time I had properly looked at this bridge over the Forth  and Clyde Canal at Clydebank from this diirection. It looks almost like a space-ship!

Family History

I've been researching my family history and I'm finding it fascinating.
For example I've discovered relatives who were kill in the First World War. Including the tragic story of my grandfather's brother Robert A. Johnston.
He was captured by the Germans and taken to a POW camp in Germany. He was shot in the back while trying to escape.
It was October 1918 just three weeks before the end of the war.

Good weather and feeling good

The past few days have been really great. Best weather we have had for ages. It wonderful how good weather cheers everyone up. Maybe doctors should be able to give us good weather on prescription.
Picture is of Ayr beach yesterday afternoon.

VE Day

Saw a mention in the news that today is the 68th Anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe). My two main memories of that day are these:

Nearly everyone had Union Jack flags up at their windows. Our neighbour Mrs Neely's flag fell off and blew down the street. I was given the job of running after it and bringing it back. I managed to catch it OK.

Then in the evening I was taken out my my father to the bonfires. First to the one in the square opposite 59 Sunnylaw Street, then to others nearby. My father got annoyed with me because I wouldn't throw the wood he had given me onto the bonfire. I wanted to keep it.

Really odd to think that such times are now part of history. And dim and distant history at that.

Don't know why but I went back this evening to Sunnylaw Street to see where these bonfires had been. Completely changed now of course and new housing where the house we lived in was. But managed to see very roughly where the bonfires of that night would have been.

I don't know if this kind of thing is good for me or not!

Tools with a Mission - Scotland

I've just come across this interesting organisation. UK organisation but a presence in Cowdenbeath.

"

TWAM Scotland

Tools With A Mission is back up and running in Scotland! Having been in hibernation last year without a base Finlay Robertson and the team, including myself, have moved into a small industrial unit in Cowdenbeath, Fife. We have already sent several palette loads of tools and computers down to TWAM headquarters in Ipswich, which ultimately go to disadvantaged people in Africa.

" http://andrum99.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/twam-scotland.html

Kelvingrove Bowling Greens

I see the Kelvingrove bowling greens are back in use after being renovated.
So that's them ready for the Commonwealth Games next year.

Art Galleries

The main hall at the Glasgow Art Galleries at Kelvingrove has seen many changes over the years. At present its main use is as a Coffee Shop area.
Here are photos of what the main hall was like in 1941 and in 1901.
After damage by bombing in 1941 the sculptures were removed from the main hall.
The second picture (1901) shows that originally the sculptures were displayed with potted palms.

Interesting article by Sir Alan Beith

LibDem Alan Beith has an interesting article in the Berwick Advertiser.

He talks of churches having a "clear duty to speak up for the poor".

He asks what should be the building blocks of a better benefits system.
He says that the churches need to look at the whole picture and "help us to build a sustainable and affordable welfare system "

Here is the link to the article - http://po.st/cZtMjD 

Faith and spirituality in the lives of homeless people

"...our systems promote inhibition and suppress opportunity for the individual to blossom where they discourage discursive reflection on matters such as faith and the role of religion..."
I've just come across this blog post.
Well worth reading
Here is the link:
  Faith and spirituality in the lives of homeless people...

It's from Jeremy Swain's blog.

Saw a real pram

I saw "real" pram a couple of days ago. I mean an old fashioned pram rather than a buggy. I don't remember seeing one for years. Funny how fashions change and you don't really notice until you do ...
Here it is in the photo.

Mental Health Care in Glasgow

An interesting mini exhibition in Glasgow's Art Galleries at Kelvingrove.
Worth having a look at if you visit the Art Galleries.

Victoria Park

One of Glasgow's lesser-known parks. Well worth visiting.
It's at Whiteinch which is just west of  Partick.

Wunderlist

I've been using Wunderlist for the past few days.
It's for to-do lists. Works very well. I'm using it on Android and on Windows. It synchs between different devices.
www.wunderlist.com

Orchids

Interesting Orchid Fair in Kibble Palace at Glasgow's Botanic Gardens.
There this afternoon.

In Ayr this afternoon

Warm and bright. Lots of people walking on beach and enjoying the spring weather.

Botanic Gardens

Glasgow's Botanic Gardens yesterday. Inside the Kibble Palace.

From yesterday's "bedroomtax" demo

Some photographs.

Test again

Here we go
This was Botanic Gardens.