Things To Do: Glasgow Central Station Experience

Railway stations: some of us pass through them everyday without probably giving a second thought to how they were built or the stories behind them. Some of them are just beautiful structures in their own right. Well, here in Scotland, one station has decided that it’s time to peel back the curtain and give people the chance to see the station in another light.

Here in Scotland, there is an event every September called Doors Open Day. It’s a time where places literally open their doors to the public for a weekend to see inside. Some events are ticketed and go quickly (like the Irn Bru factory….then again, you’d probably never get me out of there). Until recently that was the case with Glasgow Central. But now the opportunity to explore this Victorian station, which operates more than 1,000 journeys a day (making it the busiest in Scotland and the 2nd busiest station in the UK outside of London) out of it’s 17 platforms.

When the tours originally popped up at Christmas, I was desperate to get on the tour as this is a station I pass through whenever I travel to Glasgow on the train. For a fortnight last year, it was basically a second home to me! So I was gutted that by the time I had found out that all the available dates at the time were SOLD OUT! Roll on the end of February 2015 and the announcement of more dates…so I treated myself to tickets as a birthday present. The price: £10 per person. But more on the price later.

Now, I’m not going to give you a running commentary because…well, I want you to go and experience this for yourself! Be prepared to be sporting a hard hat (and hat hair afterwards!) and blue jacket (we are in a working station after all). Our guide Paul started on the concourse with some history before taking us up to the roof* for the views. This was worth the ticket price in itself for me…did I mention I was scared of heights? From the towering heights it to the depths below through snaking corridors below thundering trains. At one point I actually had to take a moment to realise where I was and it was a corridor I’ve walked many a time!

Our guide Paul was very knowledgeable about the history of the station,with added brightness of tales of celebrities who have graced the station to the dark tales of other uses of parts of the underground of the station.

So I said I would mention the price: to be honest, I would have easily paid double what it was for the experience. Shortly they’re looking at expanding what’s on offer to include visiting the Victorian platform as well as the Broomielaw, which I have to say I’ll be going back for.

So, if you’re heading to Glasgow and fancy something a little different, why not think about this. Booking can only be done online and I do recommend planning in advance particularly if it’s holiday time

*access to the roof is dependant on weather & maintenance

Book tickets on Glasgow Central Tours

On The Big Screen: The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

I loved the original Best Exotic Marigold Hotel back in 2012. There were scenes in it that I could relate to at that moment in time. When I saw that there was a second one at the tail end of last year, I didn't hesitate about my decision to see the follow up. I'm not going to lie though I did have reservations about it.

I mean, the first film was intriguing given it's concept of a group of older adults head off to a foreign country to a calamity of a hotel. Now, we're a few years down the line with Sonny (Dev Patel) looking at expanding his business but it's not without it's as straight forward as he expects (would we expect it to be?) as well as his forthcoming nuptials to Sunaina (Tina Desi) Our faithful residents are still here and have taken on jobs. (Muriel (Maggie Smith) is co-manager at the first hotel, Evenlyn (Judi Dench) is a fabric sourcer for a company, Douglas (Bill Nighy) is a ‘tour’ guide, Norman & Madge (Ronald Pickup & Celia Imrie) are managing the The Viceroy Club & Carol (Diana Hardcastle) is in the travel agency) 

And here in lies the problem: Once you’ve been re-introduced, the film seems slow, not the haphazardness of the first one that kept the pace. There are still the laughs though not in as much quantity of the first. The return of Jean (Penelope Wilton), looking for a divorce, feels awkward and disjointed and not entirely sure whether there's something missing. In some instances, I can't help thinking that if it had only been Douglas’ daughter Laura (Claire Price) & not Jean, it may have worked better. I did have my reservations about Richard Gere being involved in the film, however, his character, Guy, slotted in perfectly to the already existing cast

Was a sequel needed? Probably not as the first did finish on a nice little note and left you wondering what did happen next but felt complete. I can't help feeling that they left a few loose ends by the end of this one, but I'm quietly hoping that there isn't another film. There comes a point where you need to recognise that something is finished and not drag it out (Disney, I'm looking at you with regards Toy Story! The third one ended everything nicely no need to milk that any more!)

So in short: if you enjoyed the first visit, you'll probably enjoy the second but expect a placid ride to the last bumpy one.

In the kitchen: Making dog biscuits

I love baking! I find it particularly good for taking frustrations out as I beat the life out of the ingredients and of course there is the scent of the freshly made baking filling the house too…and usually, I do have the nanny aka, the dog, watching my every move. So, when a recipe for dog biscuits appeared in a recent mailing from Pets At Home’s VIP club, I couldn’t say no to making a homemade treat for the dog, could I?

 

I’m not going to lie. I hate the smell of peanut butter! And what was the main ingredient of the biscuits? Peanut butter! Not going to lie that the biscuits were quick and easy to make and didn’t take too long to bake either.

And the verdict? Well, we did have a wee nibble given that they did smell alright but the taste…it was bland! At least to us. To the dog, Meg…she absolutely loved them! As soon as she got one, she was gone in a trail of dust. Well that’s what it was like anyway. It’s probably something I’d consider making for her once in a while as a special treat. She’ll just have to make do with the usual inbetween.

On the big Screen – Kingsman: The Secret Service

So finally after months of waiting, I’ve seen Kingsman: The Secret Service. I first saw a trailer for it via one of these surveys things and instantly fell in love with it. But it’s seems like months since that happened but now that it’s finally out, I pop along to see it at the local Vue cinema, making use of their lovely Super Tuesday offer (thanks Vue!)

I’m not going to lie. It wasn’t to a certain extent what I thought it was going to be. I had initially thought that it was going to be some spoof of all those spy movies & TV shows that had gone before. And to some extent, for me, it is. But it also feels as if this fill a gap in the genre too. Making use of today’s issues such as climate change, technology & class divide give it that modern day approach but isn’t delivered in this ‘been there, done it all’ feeling.

Cast wise, I loved the almost chalk & cheese approach with Colin Firth & Taron Egerton’s characters (Harry Hart & Gary ‘Eggsy’ Unwin respectively) loveable given the posh, well spoken meeting the ‘streets’. Mark Strong’s Merlin (almost akin to Bond’s Q) complete with Scottish accent is brilliant too…ok so maybe I’m being biased here cause I’m Scottish but the delivery of one line near the end of the film just sounded like something that you’d hear screeched on the streets of Glasgow. The only issue that I sort of had was with Samuel L. Jackson. It just felt odd seeing him play a character (Valentine) who’s sick/scared at the sight of blood when we’re so used to seeing him being the kick ass and being the one causing the blood.

There is one scene that I did feel lowered the tone and was  felt not needed (again, near the end) not with how well everything had been going before now. Otherwise this was a fairly enjoyable film and not my usual outing. Wouldn’t mind viewing it again. There’s probably small things that I missed the first time round…now…wonder if we’d get a director’s or unedited version when it releases on DVD…apparently some scenes were dropped to get it’s 15 rating.

Slowly cooking – Coca-Cola Barbeque Ribs

Over a year ago, we bought a slow cooker.Three words: BEST.BUY.EVER! I love the idea of being able to throw items into a pot and just cook it over several hours. One issue that I have found is that looking for recipes online under slow cooker can be difficult. But look under crockpot and you’re laughing.

I’ve got pulled barbeque chicken well a truly down to an art. I’ve tried making honey chicken wings (not so keen on) and lemon chicken (again, not keen on). We’ve even tried making a casserole in it (the results were not great for a first attempt!). The latest attempt was making coca-cola ribs!

Wish this was smellavision

I originally tried similar ribs in Clydebuilt, the restaurant within the SECC in Glasgow last year and thought I’d have a look for a recipe to try at home. The one I tried was found on TheFrugalGirls.com. This first time I’ve made them (the last time they were made for me) I’ve tweaked it slight by adding more cola as it didn’t seem to be enough. But they’re absolutely gorgeous and just drop off the bone (that makes it for fun trying to get them OUT the slow cooker).

Maybe next time I might even have a bash at making my own barbeque sauce…anyone got a recommended recipe?

Bon Appitite!

Oh to scan as I shop…

I seem to recall a number of years ago a mention of something about being able so scan your shopping as you went but then all seemed to go quiet. Roll on and recently my local Tesco store have introduced it.

I've been using it for a number of weeks now and I have to ask...where have you been?

In case you're not familiar with it, it involves picking up a scanner (you require to be registered with their Clubcard programme) and then, as you go around you scan the items you want and can then just pack them. Simple! Anything that cannot be scanned you can set aside while loose fruit & veg is weighed at stations and then a label printed for you to scan. Once completed, you go to the specific checkout area, scan a barcode on the screen, answer a few questions (anything you couldn't scan?) after which it begins to transfer the scanned items to the checkout.

Just a wee sample of a shop

I've absolutely loved it! I can now just go in and back out. I love how it gives you a running total of how much you've spent as well as how much you've saved. Any offers are also shown & it reminds you to scan all items in offers like 3 for 2 etc.

We used it a few the day before Christmas Eve for our final shop/ It took us an hour to run round with the scanner and only minutes to get though paying at the checkout given the size of the checkouts and that was only at 10am!

Yes there's the occasional security check once at the checkout but I've only had them the first few times that I've used but other than that, I can’t complain…well, I can. It’s only open for 12 hours and the trolleys are needing a wee cradle for the scanner to sit in when not in use (though I’m told their coming…wish they’d come sooner!)

Britney Spears Hairdryer @ Lidl

I'm not one for buying into celebrity endorsed products. But I couldn't helping noticing the ad in November....December....well. It was the last months of 2014 anyway, for a certain Britney Spears haircare products in Lidl.

What caught my eye, or should I say, made me investigate further was the prices that were being quoted...I mean....£10 for a hairdryer? I might question it, but then, a number of years ago, when wireless keyboards were still on the expensive side, I picked up one with mouse for £15. It's still going strong all these years later.

Anyway, I digress. Partially intrigued and partially in need of a new one, I went for it. Usually these deals don't last long, experience has taught me that, but managed to pick one up. And with a 3 year guarantee as well...so far this is sounding a good deal.

So here's a quick view of the box & contents:

So use? There are two different heat settings,; the obvious hot as well as the cold blast for style setting. There are also 3 heat settings. It's a very lightweight and I found that using it on the second speed setting was good enough for me with hair dried in approx. 15/20 mins .

There's is only one issue that I've had with it is the ease of changing the the different nozzles. It apparently should just be a case of popping one off and adding the other. It's the popping off that seems to be the issue as it does feel as if you could break the nozzle. Not that I have any reason to change the nozzle...I don't think I'll have any use for the diffuser in fairness.

Yes, it's a bargain, but if I manage to get 3 years out of it, then I'll be happy (no doubt it will die one day after the guarantee runs out...that's what happens, right?