A trip to Glasgow on Tuesday to get the car serviced, but also the chance to top-up cottage supplies -there is only so much you can get in the local agricultural store,but they do have a fine selection of loo rolls!

So, a new microwave for Mhairi's - the last one was getting a bit contrary , and after all it was well over 10 years old. And also some nice striped Jamie Oliver crockery - does food taste better off Jamie Oliver crockery? You know, I think it does. We have some Jamie Oliver huge pasta bowls and Mike's pasta is superb.

Anyway, having got domestic issues out of the way, we went to the 'Glasgow Boys' exhibition in the Kelvingrove Gallery. What a treat. Difficult to pinpoint why it was so good, but they were just very fine painters. And it's always a treat to go to the Kelvingrove. A magnificent building - like so many Glasgow buildings - recently re-furbished and just buzzing. Not like a museum at all.

If you don't know Glasgow then have a night there on the way up; it's a really wonderful city - masses to see, superb people , great eating places, and a real treat.