Week Twenty Seven: Bring It On

Well what a week it's been (not that much of it this week has been work related!!)

It started with The Queens Baton reaching our little window on the world last Wednesday and ended last night with a BBC live event at their Scottish headquarters at The Quay, Glasgow with Mark Beaumont.

Mark is the adventurer who broke the record for circumnavigating the world on a bike, went on to cycle the Americas (cos he hadn't done mountains) and also rowed the Poles as part of a six man team on the premise that cycling round the world didn't include cycling on water therefore proper circumnavigation. 

His latest adventure has been travelling with The Queens Baton as it has made it's way through The Commonwealth and filming it as he's gone.  During the event last night he gave a very unique perspective on what the commonwealth games mean to people.  We heard of the Belize triathlete who trains on airfields, rides steel beach bikes and thinks that by swimming in the "cool" Caribbean Sea he's getting a sense of what Strathclyde Park Loch will be like (Mark suggested to him he come a few days early to acclimatise).

Then there was a lady cricketer for whom sport has "saved her and her family's lives" because without it she would be struggling to support them.

Another story of winning silver at the Olympics out of the blue by a small national hero - they're first ever medal - and being rewarded with 6 cows by the prime minister of the country.

The Barbados rugby 7s team who only qualified after Nigeria pulled out but don't have anywhere to train but do so with whatever they can find and make into equipment.

The point of all these stories.  The Commonwealth Games isn't about the best in the world like the Olympics.  For the people Mark met along the way it's about being able to bring their country's culture, heritage and identity to a global audience and to proudly represent their nations whether through winning or losing at sport or through theatre, dance and music.  Hence it's reputation as The Friendly Games.

Last Wednesday as I say saw the Queens Baton come to our corner of the world. And what an honour it was to watch Sara Clegg carrying the baton through Clarkston and onto the stage at the big event that was being hosted there.  Sara did an exceptional job in not only carrying the baton but in making her family very proud and the many friends who came to celebrate very honoured to be part of such a special day.  Sara smiles all of the time but the smile on her face that day exceeded even her best.

On Saturday I attended one of the first of the Festival events that coincide with the games.  A theatrical extravaganza of aerobatics, dance, theatre and specially composed music performed by the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland.  Of course we were brave enough to make the opening event outdoors.  Of course the heavens opened all day.  Of course it looked like it would be cancelled.  Of course we all turned up hard as nails to take on the weather.  Of course we were rewarded with the only dry few hours in the day.  It was an interesting figurative and interactive show in Rottenrow Gardens and the surrounding roof tops and building frontages with dance performed off the sides of buildings, actors milling around us all and a wee dance for us all to do at the end.  Of course myself and my friends were glad we'd had a wee vino before we got there!! An amazing outdoor world class theatre performance that you couldn't quite believe was happening literally in our backyard.

I know people think I'm slightly obsessed with The Games and The Festival (I promise I'll stop Facebook posting and tweeting - well at least cut it down) but I make no apologies for that.  This is a once in a lifetime experience for the citizens of Glasgow and once in a very long time for the city itself therefore I, and many like me, are and will continue to wholeheartedly and excitedly throw ourselves behind it.

I've seen more than some so far but what I have seen is a mere taster if what is to come over the next 11 days of sport and festivities.  Even that taster though has left me bursting with pride at what Glasgow is and what the games legacy will help Glasgow become.  We aspire to be a world class city and I suspect that will be showcased to the world in the next couple of weeks as Glaswegians welcome the commonwealth in their own friendly, self depracating style.  After all as the saying goes People Make Glasgow.

Whilst building up to the festivities I...

...HUNGOUT in the city as much as possible. A highlight - Monday night in glorious sunshine at the BBC Quay right on the River Clyde was a great chilled out evening. Sitting in George Square people watching as the visitors from the Commonwealth gather to have their picture taken with Big G (the massive games logo not me!!!)...

...WINED AND DINED ON...this week I played host for my wine club friends who love their wines and their food so no pressure there.  I have to say my food and wine selection went well so this week I'm acknowledging myself - something we should all do once in a while.  We took a flight of three cavas to try with our tapas.  The most sophisticated and elegant was Segura Viudas Brut Reserva whilst the most quaffable was Freixenet Vintage Especial Brut.  The tapas included piperade (marinaded peppers), prawns marinaded in paprika, lemon, oregano and cumin and various Spanish cheeses.  

We then moved on to cod and chorizo stew served with Damana 5 Ribera del Duero which was just the perfect match. As for dessert it was Spanish pear tartlets poached in and served with Pedro Ximinez sherry.  There may have been a few more wines consumed however they weren't for matching!! The Segura Viudas Cava, the Ribera and the Pedro Ximinez were all matched by and bought from the great wine shop Valahalla's Goat on Great Western Road. Inspired matches.

So I may or may not blog from the Games each day over the coming couple of weeks. We'll see. In the meantime have a great week whatever you're up to and if anyone is in town then give me a shout to catch up for coffee/gin/wine etc.

Have a great one

Week Twenty Six - The Concierge is Launched!!

Well I find it somewhat fitting that exactly six months into writing this blog (halfway you'll be pleased to know) I am finally announcing the launch of the first of my business ventures - and as my loyal followers you're the first to know.

As of yesterday Miss Snowden Presents Ltd was incorporated.  It will be a bit of a emporium of ventures which will organically grow in the next few months/years.  The first of these micro businesses is The Concierge - consider it a personal assistant that is designed to make life just a wee bit easier.

For years I have been a planner / organiser / manager.  I have been known as The Organiser, The Concierge, A Pain in the **** so on and so forth.  When I was lucky enough to participate in an INSEAD Leadership Course in Australia a few years ago I had to get feedback from ten people about me.  It was a deeply searching questionnaire and some of it quite hard to read when you got the results.  One of the brighter points though was that 9 out of 10 respondents to the question "if Gillian wasn't doing the role she does today what would she be doing?" said I'd be an events manager.  The other one said I would be CJ Crane of West Wing fame (the President of the United States Press Officer then Chief Of Staff).  That has always played at the back of my mind.

Then a couple of years ago my friend and I tried to work out how we could set up a business aimed at being personal assistant to professionals who don't have time to organise their lives.  We didn't really get anywhere with it.

After last weeks blog I received feedback to say that if it wasn't for the role I'd taken in distilling the Commonwealth Games then the person in question would not have been aware of, let alone take part in, any of the festival that is going on on our doorstep.  The suggestion (over a very long liquid lunch in the sun) was that I should set up a business doing it.

And so joining the dots on all these nuggets, I am delighted to announce the launch of The Concierge.  I offer three services:
1. The Daily Grind (available from January 2015) - I shall be in allotted office block atriums on certain days of the week to pick up dry cleaning, shoe repairs and any other errands and will be back at the end of the day to hand them back.

2.  The Host(ess) with the Most(est) - whether its a dinner for friends, a kids party, a special occasion (including weddings) or a holiday - I'll do all the organising to meet your requirements so you can concentrate on enjoying the event (and no-one has to know).

3. Mañana - for people who have a list as long as their arm of domestic jobs that need done but never get to them - everything from organising tradespeople to car services, utility comparisons and any of the other services above.  This is a 'bundle' service where you book so many hours a month dependent on what you need done.

The Concierge is now live, has its first couple of clients and is the first of a number of little businesses which make up Miss Snowden Presents Ltd.  You'll hear more about the other exciting components in the coming weeks and months (then the name will make sense) - in fact I'll be looking for your help with one of them.

My website will be up and running hopefully on Thursday so please take a look and give me feedback.  If I've set it up correctly then it is www.theconcierge.org.uk

Whilst based in Glasgow, the nature of the business means that my services can transcend geographical boundaries (especially when it comes to The Host(ess) with the Most(est)) - so it would be great if there is anything I can help you with.  Here are the pics of my business card for your info...

Not bad given it didn't exist on Friday!!

Whilst becoming a micro captain of commerce I have also had a few other minor projects on the go this week.

First of all I have finally finished my first up-cycling project.  It started life as a pine blanket box donated to me a number of years ago by the Clegg family.  It remains a blanket box but you'll see what I've done to it below.  A few lessons learned along the way including the fact that just cos I don't like sanding doesn't mean I shouldn't do it properly!!  There will be more to follow and if anyone would like me to up-cycle a piece of furniture for them then I can.

Before (nearly forgot to take the "Before" picture)

And after

This stunning masterpiece can be sold if anyone loves it that much!!!!

My second micro project that is kicking off is making olive oil - I hope.  After a few years of dormancy, my olive tree is actually budding and I'm pretty optimistic (if the weather stays good) that I may collect a mini harvest and manage to make a tiny amount of olive oil - wishful thinking perhaps but the great thing is that all the skills I learned on the vineyard this year about pruning to direct energy etc are coming into their own now.  It may not be wine but olive oil is definitely a nectar in its own right.  I'll keep you posted with progress - I know you'll be interested...

Lastly I have developed my Barista skills slightly this week - can you believe its been so hot in Glasgow that morning coffee is not an option.  So instead I've made iced coffee for the first time.  How did I do it - the proper way.  Grind a third of a cup of coffee beans and put them in an individual caffetiere.  Add cold water and put in the fridge overnight with the plunger up.  In the morning you'll have a beautiful strong brew of coffee.  Put a lot of ice in a glass, add milk then pour your coffee over the top (you can add flavours if its just a bit bitter).  An absolute winner for this year. Thought I'd show off my tree and my coffee!!

So whilst doing lots of micro things this week I have...

...HUNG OUT AT home quite a bit doing all my projects (and reading the most amazing book given to me by a friend - Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch)...

...WINED ON...as well as a boozy Friday lunch (6.5 hours) there was also Cafe Gandolfi wine club this week with Francesca from Planeta in Sicily (this winery makes olive oil too so I'm not mad) and a wine tasting at The Blythswood hosted by Buff Wines.  Highlight wine of these events was actually the bottle ordered after wine club finished to compliment dinner.  It is a Greek off dry wine called Malagousia from a winery called Ktina Gerovassiliou.  It is beautiful on its own and would also have been a compliment to the very interesting dish from the Cafe Gandolfi team which I DINED ON - Hot Smoked Salmon Fishcakes with Gooseberry Jam.  The dish itself was a taste sensation (hence I've combined WINED ON and DINED ON) and the slightly sweet wine would have been perfect with it - must try them together sometime.

And so as I sign off we are on the cusp of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.  The city is ready and starting to develop a great atmosphere.  Tomorrow sees the Queens Baton coming through oor wee bit of the world and more importantly the wonderful Sara Clegg is carrying the baton into one of its key stops in the day.  With a party afterwards, it is bound to be the most amazing day and I look forward to reporting back on this and the myriad of other events I'll be attending over the course of the next couple of weeks.

A bit of a watershed week for me (I think the shackles of the corporate world, other peoples perceptions and a conservative view of how to make a living are finally off - for now anyway).  It may not be a massive leap off a cliff but it is a tiptoe off a slight gradient.

Have a great one.  G

Week Twenty Five - A Public Services Broadcast

This weeks blog is a public service broadcast on behalf of Glasgow 2014 and Festival 2014 with the aim of helping you enjoy all that the festival and games has to offer as easily as possible.

Those of you who know me know that I have been a huge advocate of the games and all that they and the associated festival will bring to Glasgow over the course of the next month.  There is soooo much going on and it is only just around the corner.  Trying to distill it all can be overwhelming (old fashioned me found it so much easier with the hard copy brochure rather than the online publications!!) so I have done my best below to help you all get the most out this once in a lifetime experience and support the Games and Festival.

Still want to go to the sporting events but haven't got tickets?  well there are tickets still available at www.glasgow2014.com/tickets.  This covers many of the sports and also some late release tickets for the opening ceremony - they are limited view tickets but at £20 you can still soak up the atmosphere.  Also remember that a number of the street events are free and here are the key dates for you if you want to see the Commonwealths top atheletes compete:

Sunday 27 July from 9am to 1pm (gates at Glasgow Green open at 7:30am) - MARATHON

Thursday 31 July from 10am to 4pm (gates at Glasgow Green open at 8:30am) - CYCLING TIME TRIAL

Sunday 3 August from 8am to 5pm (gates at Glasgow Green open at 7am) - CYCLING ROAD RACE

All of these events go through Glasgow so check out the website for more route information.

Want to be part of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies but don't have tickets?  Well there are opening ceremony parties going on at Glasgow Green, Merchant City and Kelvingrove Bandstand.  Legends Belle and Sebastian will be at Kelvingrove whilst the likes of Eddi Reader and Lulu will feature at Glasgow Green.  All venues will screen the opening ceremony.  For tickets visit www.glasgow2014.com/Festival2014

Want to soak up the atmosphere at the myriad of events which are on throughout the festival?  I would highly recommend picking up a copy of the festival brochure but here is my summary and recommendations.

There are four main areas where activities will be taking place pretty much all day every day:

1. Glasgow Green Live Zone which is being themed around Home is Where The Heart Is.  The Green will be zoned like a house including the living room where you can watch the coverage of the sports, the kitchen where you can find lots of great food and drink, the back garden where you can try out sport, the wee house for entertaining young kids and the playhouse spiegeltent.  Entry is free and unticketed.

2.  Merchant City is extending it's annual festival and during the Games there are many arts, dance, theatre and music events on for you to drop in to.  There is also the annual Vintage fair and the Old Fruitmarket is home to Team Scotland with a couple of exhibitions open to everyone.

3.  Kelvingrove Bandstand will host a daily range of events from folk, rock, pop, classical and jazz music to comedy, art, films and storytelling for the youngsters.

4.  BBC at the Quay which is a sixteen day pop up festival hosted by the BBC.  Many TV and radio shows will be coming live from the venue as well as being recorded there, there are live music and comedy events from some major big league acts including Paloma Faith, Simple Minds, Sharleen Spiteri, interactive events, food, drink and a big screen. Some events are ticketed and a lot of the big ones are gone but there are still plenty up for grabs through BBC ticketing ballots.  Check out www.bbc.co.uk/thequay

Having perused the brochure there is way too much to mention in terms of specific events but I would draw your attention to a few of them:

The parties for the opening and closing ceremonies - why wouldn't you want to soak up the atmosphere with others from around the Commonwealth? I am lucky to be going to the opening ceremony but for £10 have picked up Glasgow Green closing ceremony party tickets - bargain

Perch - Sat 19 and Sun 20 July at 9:45pm to 11pm (I know way passed my bedtime but an exception being made).   Taking over the whole of Rottenrow Gardens and rooftops this is a spectacular aerial performance which features over 200 performers including street artists, circus performers, aerialists, the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and a video hook up with the home of Perch in Brazil.  And all for £8 a ticket which you can prepurchase from the Arches website

Boomerang (Commonwealth Cultures) - Thu 24 July at Glasgow Green Living Room.  This one no doubt appeals to me cos it brings together my three homes - Scotland, New Zealand and Australia.  It is a celebration of the Commonwealth from Haka dance to Maori vocals, Aboriginal dance and Gaelic song.  This is a collaboration of twenty one artists from across the three countries.  I watched the preview of what they are doing and have to say it was extremely compelling.  And it's free

The Commonwealth Flotilla - Sat 26 Jul with best views at the Riverside museum.  This is the largest flotilla to ever have been on the Clyde and promises to be spectacular.  Visit ryascotland.org.uk for more info.

The Big Big Sing - Sun 27 July at Glasgow Green Living Room.  A day of singing fun for everyone culminating in everyone being part of the biggest Big Big Sing Choir - so what if you can't sing - never stopped me doing earphone karaoke even if it should have - and it's free again

Finally if you're really young at heart then the Old Fruitmarket is the late night club venue of choice - it is brought in conjunction with Celtic Connections, costs £10 per ticket available from glasgowconcerthalls.com and will feature a range of musical acts taking in the many musical cultures of Scotland and the Commonwealth - if you can stay up that late.

And beyond that my suggestion is this - in any free time you have or on your lunch break at work just get out there and wander the city, it is going to be astounding.

So with only a week or so to go until the Queens Baton hits East Ren and Glasgow it's time to get those diaries out and get planning.  I intend being there every day and posting lots of info about what is going on so if you're around and fancy a coffee, a glass or a general hangout then just give me a call.

Signing off as the official Comm Games tour guide (for now) - hope it's been useful - G

PostScript 1 - if you're reading this from overseas and I've tantalised your taste buds then it's not too late to visit (though accomodation may be a struggle)

PostScript 2 - remember there are a tonne of amazing cafés, restaurants and bars around Glasgow to indulge at but you may want to think about planning and booking ahead.  I can't say that without drawing attention to some of my favourites including Cafe Gandolfi (first and foremost), Guys, Italian Caffe and Central Market all in Merchant City; Laboratorio Espresso in West Nile St for the best coffee in the city centre (or All About The Coffee in South Block at St Enoch if you're in transit); Alston Bar for a massive range of gin (conveniently at Central Station).  And as for the West End well the choice is endless but a cake from My Home bakery on Hyndland St and a coffee to go with it from Papercup would definitely hit the spot.  Oh and don't forget to try an Irn Bru lolly - they are actually yum!!

Whilst compiling my public service broadcast I...

...HUNG OUT AT...home quite a lot last week doing lots of little jobs fixing things and some cooking and some up cycling of furniture (and being a captain of industry)...

...WINED ON...some nice wines over the weekend with my favourites being the Domaine de Morin-Langaran Picpoul de Pinet to go with my herbed chicken salad and the La Tunella Noan 2009 dessert wine which was so good it convinced one of my friends who I was entertaining that she did actually like dessert wine for the first time ever.  Both available from Corney and Barrow...

...DINED ON...a beautiful late night meal at Guys restaurant in Merchant City.  Being such a food and wine lover I can't quite believe I haven't been here before but there you go.  The neon sign outside the door certainly does not do justice to what lies inside.  A beautiful interior, relaxed vibe despite it still being mobbed at 9pm, great service and a bit of celebrity spotting quickly made me fall in love with Guys.  And if only to underpin that the caponata which my friend and I shared to start was out of this world.  I followed up with a beautifully succulent veal escalope (I'll not mention the accompanying chips).  All very simple but all very stunning and beautifully offset with a great Argentinian Malbec.  My only disappointment? I ordered a coffee partly because I wanted one and partly because I know that the amazing Pufs Pastries Tablet accompanies it.  As much as it is the best tablet I don't often have it (like Puf herself too many years testing it!!) that said once in a while ones taste buds just cry out for it but alas it wasn't to be as I was presented with a gold foil wrapped waffer thin mint.  Overall a great meal in a fabulous atmosphere that you can make as casual or as upmarket an event as your table desires.

Until next week - have a good one

Week Twenty Four: Heaven Truly Is A Place On Earth

Week Twenty Four...it's been a hard year (wink wink) so it must be time for a holiday.  So the obvious destination has glorious white sandy beaches, stunning weather, a relaxed island feel, friendly natives, wildlife and an appreciation of laid back hospitality.  Not The Bahamas or Fiji or Mauritius....no it's the beautiful island of Islay with my dear friends The McCulloch Clan (junior) and wonderful hosts The a McCulloch Clan (senior).

The minute you get off the ferry you can feel the stresses of life slipping back off the pier (ok I may not have that many stresses this year but this is the latest of many visits and each time you feel yourself relax instantly).  The friendliness of the locals is also apparent from the outset.  They literally wave you onto the island and whilst you're here there is the obligatory (but very friendly) wave every time you pass another driver on the road.

The views themselves then blow you away - stunning white beaches, turquoise seas, cows at the water and sheep on the road.  A wonderful experience for the twins to be up close and personal with real life animals.

And all of this before you even reach your destination of Port Charlotte.

Holidays like these work best to revive you when you follow the same routines.  That in itself is the relaxation.  This time was obviously a different routine given there were two 21 month olds involved but that just brought a different routine to proceedings (and earlier starts - to the day and to the bar opening in the evening!!).  We still managed to escape to visit our old haunts when the late morning nap was underway.  The old haunts? Well first there is Bridgend Hotel where the McCulloch wedding took place four years ago - always great to catch up with Lorna and the team.  I can highly recommend it for a stay.

Then there is the Outback Art Gallery which is an old cow shed in the back of beyond down many single track roads and far enough out your phone thinks you're in Ireland and puts you on global roaming!  There are some wonderful pieces of art here as well as being a great place to grab a coffee and cake.  

Normally we'd also visit the Holy Coo cafe in Bowmore but unfortunately it's had to be closed for this season.

And then the one we all love.  Our annual visit to Bruichladdich Distillery just two miles from the house. 

It is described as an Hebridean Progressive Distillery and it is just that.  Every year the shop evolves as does the amazing range of whisky they distil and sell - the packaging itself would almost make me buy whisky.  

I do feel like heathen when I visit - I really don't like whisky.  But what I am in love with is The Botanist gin made by Bruichladdich - my favourite gin in the world (so far).

This trip to the distillery was a particularly poignant one in that we arrived in time for Duncan McGillvrays retiral morning tea and speeches.  

Duncan has worked at Bruichladdich for 40 years and been distillery manager for 36 of these.  At that time there was pretty much only the money to reopen the distillery and everything else was a struggle which relied on the ingenuity of Duncan and the v small team to fix boilers etc to keep the place open.  Bruichladdich has been on a huge journey since then and today, with the support of their new owners, they are in the process of building new bonded warehouses and re opening the one that has been lying derelict in Port Charlotte for many years.  To be there to witness the words of kindness, the giving of gifts and the real friendship shown by his colleagues was a really special experience.  One of the gifts given to Duncan was a new bike (he's been cycling to work on the same bike all these years).  To send him off in style a fair few of the team brought their bikes to work that day to cycle the two miles back to Port Charlotte (the bar at the Port Charlotte Hotel to be exact!!) with Duncan.  It was great later in the day to see all the bikes piled up outside the bar.

Whilst on Islay we...

...HUNG OUT AT...David's mum and dad's house.  A beautiful relaxing spot with lots of sun traps - the best one being affectionately known as "the bar" as the sun just happens to shine in there about 5pm. The great thing is that it's a spot that's lower than the single track road outside but the neighbours know to just stick their heads over the stone wall and they'll be invited in for a dram - love the relaxed island living model...

...WINED ON...way too much and can't believe I'm going to say this but this weeks very quaffable wine for any occasion (except when trying to impress) was a boxed (yes boxed) wine from Co-op - a Fairtrade Chilean blend of Cab Sauv, Merlot and Carmenere.  I suspect I may regret admitting that but then I never have been a snob...

...DINED ON...like the wine, way too much but beautiful family meals every night from mince and tatties to lamb stew, salmon and David's famous fajitas.  Yum (needless to say since returning I've been tea total, fasting, walking and cycling!)

So if you've never been I suggest you get there - you'll love it and want to keep going back.  I'm always available to join you as an all expenses paid tour guide.

Final note for the night...I'm currently looking for a three month contract from August to the end of October.  If anyone knows of anything in corporate land or coffee / wine land then please let me know.

Until next week - have a good one.