Had my mum and dad round today for cups of tea and cake, following going out for lunch with them.
When there’s company, time to get out the Enormous Teapot. This is not related to the Enormous Turnip, although it could probably have its own children’s story about it.
The teapot was a wedding present from our good friends Rachel and David, and the first present we opened on our return from honeymoon. We laughed and laughed - the teapot can take up to twenty cups of tea. Perfect for my enjoyment of mass catering. The teapot still draws admiring glances from new visitors.
This blog is partly a chance to emphasise the joys of tea and cake. Having a teapot is one thing, having cake to go with it is a bonus. Today’s was lemon cake, baked by mum as a late birthday cake.
I’m not sure that cake doesn’t deserve a separate blog posting, as a fairly important element, in celebrations, gatherings and the like, as far as I’m concerned. But for now, enough to say that cake made it an occasion today.
January 28th, 2007
I’m sure the title could be the making of a fine pub name, but it’s actually two of the favourite exhibits in Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. We were there around a week ago, spending a day and a night in Glasgow as a pre-birthday treat.
Kelvingrove is a favourite among Glasgow folk - the elephant is one of various preserved animals in the main hall as you enter, with a Spitfire aeroplane hanging above them. Another key element is Salvador Dali’s Christ of St John of the Cross, viewing Christ on the cross from above. (Though not in the same line-up as the elephant.)
The museum reopened last September, with major refurbishment of the building, and lots more exhibits on display. We have a friend who was involved in some of the overhaul of Kelvingrove, so we had an extra reason for wanting to see what they had done.
So what did we think? Probably it’s harder to comment when we didn’t know what it was like before. One certainty: it’s certainly popular with the locals. Admittedly it was a wet Saturday in January, suggesting parents being keen to occupy their weans, but it was packed, and the kids seemed really keen to be there.
We liked: the exhibits on low blocks, so that the kids couldn’t climb on them (we think) but could still get close. The signage and explanation in each section was great. There was a nice mix of things about the world - and Glasgow’s take on the world. There is a skeleton of an ancient Irish giant deer, which has amazing antlers. Oh yes, and the cafe in the basement is great - lots of light, reasonably priced food.
Don’t take our word for it - have a look for yourselves, or add your own comments if you’ve been for a visit.
January 28th, 2007