Being kitch

We decided to go into the West End today and just have a lazy stroll in the Botanic Gardens and the surroundings.

Of course a bit of retail therapy would not go amiss either. Glasgow University is surrounded by a number of retro, kitchy and independent shops,however don't hold your breath to visit them when you come, there is a high turnaround of shops in this area, which is a great shame. However, if you are interested, here's a very good link and most of these shops are still there.

I had forgotten that on my Birthday or Christmas wish list years ago was red chilli lights for the kitchen. These were displayed away from my eye level, but D being just over 6 foot spotted them and pointed them out. Well I just had to get them, and this...

I know, but I'm not 12 years old or even a student anymore, but I couldn't resist. When I was growing up, I would never see dolls of colour. I never had a Barbie doll, but saying that, even as a small child I did not want a Barbie doll as it didn't represent me or who I wanted to become. Nowadays, of course things have changed. Take this pen, so I had to treat myself for all those years of going without. Ah the little girl in me is still there.

We stopped at our favourite independent second hand bookstore: Voltaire & Rousseau. I've mentioned it in a previous post.

Its not the most organised of bookstores, but it sure has character. It was featured in the second series of one of my favourite TV shows The Book Group which was set in Glasgow.

While we were in the West End, I wanted to visit a place I had been to once when I used to work in the environment sector. A community project called the Coach House Trust which is tucked away in one of the side streets of Great Western Road. Over the years it has gained some recognition as an innovative community organization in the field of mental health and environmental and social justice. The project provides people from disadvantaged backgrounds with a variety of disabilities including mental health problems, learning disabilities, alcohol and drug rehabilitation with educational and employment opportunities and support the individual discover their talents through a wide range of workshops and activities, such as woodcarving, gardening, ceramics, recycling and art. Unfortunately noone was about so we couldn't get access or pictures to the vegetable garden, instead here are a few pieces of the works of the participants.