mighty meadow

I hope all Aberdeen fans going to the game today give McInnes a decent send off. He deserves nothing

Done the 10k in Glasgow on Sunday. Only my 2nd time doing this distance but loved it from first step to the last. Probably the first run I can remember actually enjoying but a bit deflated now that it's over and struggling for motivation to go out for a few miles tonight.

Been trying to catch up on some albums that I haven't listened to for a long time. Today's choice is ...

Had a pint of Totally Brewed Blueberry Muffin and a pint of Abbeydale Salvation in the Glen Park earlier today, Both lovely and only £2 each.

Last of the night ... Innis & Gunn Treacle Porter. Been on my beer shelf for a while but still tasting fine.

St. Andrews Brewing Co. Mocha Porter. Nice and smooth with a slightly burnt finish. Very good.

First beer of the week and it's a lovely wee sour from Chorlton Brewing Co. in Manchester. Well worth looking out for.

Not been drinking much recently but heading over to Arran tomorrow for the beer festival in the Kinloch Hotel, Blackwaterfoot. Hopefully some decent beers available,

After years and years of eating and drinking to excess I've recently taken up running. Really enjoying the buzz at the moment although the 'enjoyment' seems to be pre and post run as I'm finding the actual miles pretty gruelling. Hopefully as I get fitter the actual running will get more pleasurable. When I started 3 months ago I couldn't even manage a lap of my local park which is only 0.5 miles so it was always going to be a slow progress. So far I've done 6 Parkruns (first time 26.25 but now down to 22.59) and on Wednesday night I ran the Jim Young Marymass 10k / Ayrshire Championship in Irvine. Found the last 2k hard going but pretty chuffed to finish in under 50 minutes (just) for my first attempt at this distance. Got a few days coming up where a fair bit of alcohol will be consumed but after that I'm hoping to get some serious training in for the Great Scottish Run 10k in October,

Most of my favourite (and least favourite) bands have already been mentioned but ... Mull Historical Society and Neon Waltz are also worth a mention. Davy Henderson's stuff is always worth a listen (Fire Engines, Win, Nectarine No.9 etc) James Yorkston along with 'Fence Records' associated acts Beta Band, Lone Pigeon, Pictish Trail, King Creosote etc. have more than a good few albums between them. Withered Hand also worth a wee shout. Biggest surprise is no mention of the Incredible String Band. Just remembered The Phantom Band and Superstar (possibly the most underrated Scottish band).

Dos Maderas rum from a Flaviar tasting set I bought a couple of Christmas ago. Very sweet but ideal for sipping. No mixer required.

Are there any trains/buses direct from Glasgow to Liverpool?

Couple of local gigs coming up ... Neon Waltz at the HAC in Irvine and Culann at the Ship, also in Irvine. Might have tickets for Sigur Ros later in the year.

Oasis U2 Foo Fighters Train Red Hot Chilli Peppers

Just finished Sea Fever by Sam Jefferson Excellent book telling the true events that inspired the 'great' maritime/nautical authors. Got quite a list of books I want to read now thanks to 'Sea Fever' but first I've got this to read ...

Had a can of Sixpoint Resin (double IPA) in the Salt Cot after work tonight. Surprisingly smooth considering it is 9.1% abv.

Morrisons are doing a wee Beer Festival at the moment. Probably about 30 different bottles all at £1.50 each. Bought a half dozen today including a rhubarb saison, a raspberry blonde and a sticky toffee pudding ale. Also bought a box of 6 different Wychwood beers for £7 in the same shop. I think Aldi's latest festival starts this Thursday.

Now reading this ...

Flying Tiger in Glasgow have had a few albums in the window anytime I've passed recently. Haven't been able to go in as I've always been working at the time but remember seeing 'Never Mind the Bollocks' and 'Amy Winehouse' along with some others. £15 a pop and a free CD with each purchase.

Finished Blood, Salt, Water by Denise Mina last night. Fairly typical Scottish crime story, sex, drugs and violence set in Helensburgh. Also finished Ghettoside by Jill Leovy earlier in the week. Pretty grim report on black murder rates in the States with one case involving a police officer's son being the central theme. Enough of crime for now, just about to start Tracey Thorn's second book, Naked In The Albert Hall. All above books were borrowed from the local public library. I;m not sure how things are in other areas regarding libraries but it seems like a case of 'use it or lose it' in North Ayrshire. Opening hours have been cut recently and it wouldn't surprise me if the local authorities were to close branches next. Back on topic of actual books, has anyone read much Ernest Hemingway? I was looking for a copy of The Old Man and The Sea but was a bit put off by the price in Waterstones. Instead I've ordered a collection of eight of his books from eBay for under £12.

Passed by the local charity shop this morning just as they were setting up a table outside with a couple of boxes of vinyl. Nothing exceptional but at 3 for £1 I couldn't refuse ... £11 in total for that lot [emoji3]

Eventually had to bin my Adidas Dragons. Best trainers I've ever owned. Still waterproof and comfy as f**k but after two and a half years of hard wear it was time to bid them farewell :-/

Bottle of this from the coffee shop at Glasgow Central Station. Strong coffee hit. Lovely.