Glasgow City

Yeah! Finally I could sleep as long as I like!
I got up 10:30 am with loads of plans. After a long shower, washing my hair and a coupe of coffees, I changed some of them.
Polmadie Car Bootsale was postponed to tomorrow as was some other place I cannot name, as Neil is “stalking” me from Saudi Arabia and since it might be related to his upcoming birthday, I cannot give it away!

I found a message on face book from my former photography tutor Jon, who is now chairing BIPP Scottish Region. (British Institute for Professional Photography)
He reminded me of the awards ceremony next Sunday and said that he "recommended me to attend” with a smiley ! 
Hmmm! That sounds like the judging is done ……! (I have to admit that I was getting a little bit excited about this message!)
 
A bit later I took the subway in the City Center to go to the new Street Food market at the Arches, called The Platform
I stumbled over it on Instagram last night and was especially “interested” in the bakers attending there.  They were promoting their Kouign Amman, a breton pastry that is extremely difficult to make but so heavenly tasty and their Pastel de Nata. Both I cannot resist!
Look here!

The Arches used to be a famous night club in Glasgow, shut down and few years ago. I have never been though. However, the venue under the Central Station is pretty amazing.
I really liked the street food market. All small independent businesses. Nice atmosphere, busy but not overcrowded, AND the Kouign Amman, Pastel de Nata and Thomson Coffee! What could be better?
The baker guys were very nice and up to a chat.
I got the 2 pastries and a lovely coffee and got myself a table. Oh my god, the Kouign Amman was out of this world! I was prepared to marry the baker right away! 
I complimented the guys and they told me, that it took them 2 years to get those pastries right! I know why I never tried it!
They were also extremely proud of their sour dough bread, which also took some time to get it perfect, they told me.

After 2 coffees and the pastries I walked on to the Buchanan Galleries.
The last week I was (again) researching cameras, as I still want a small and light one to be a bit more subtle when out in the streets.
My Canon 5D with lens is anything but subtle even with the pancake. 
I do have the Nikon 1, but I do not like it. I tried to become friend with it for 5 years now and it did not work!

The 2 cameras I had short listed were the Sony A6300 and the Fuji X-T20.
I thought it would be a good idea to see it in a shop and actually touch it, before I spent money and hate it in the end.

I spent almost 2.5 hours at Jessops pestering the staff and playing with both cameras. 
I was sure I will end with the Fuji, but the Sony surprisingly appealed more in the end! 
OK the Fuji does look much sexier, but its bigger, louder and slower than the sony. The focus tracking of the Sony is impressive! The shutter works at 9 fps in mechanical mode, even faster in electronically mode.
The display can be tilted and sneakily being used from the hip.

Once I finally decided to buy the Sony, just before shop closure, they told me they did not have it in stock!! Earliest they would have it on Wednesday! DOH!
After it took me almost 3 hours to finally decide, I could not take it home and play with it? What a disappointment, to say the least!
I left the shop quite frustrated, fearing that now the whole process starts again.

I walked back toward Central Station and while I was shooting a back lane, 4 American tourists started talking to me. Mainly because they were wondering what I was photographing. In the end we chatted for a while. They are here for a week with their church and are exploring celtic christianity. Travelling to Oban and Iona. They were really lovely and I hope they will be having a great time.

Passing the station I discovered a coffee roaster and cafe I did not know and had another long black sitting outside. The weather was nice today! Maybe spring is finally arriving.
I texted with Neil who had to survive a weekend in Saudi and I informed him about my unsuccessful camera shopping.

I took the subway back to Hillhead, got some berries at waitrose and walked home.
Had a chat with Richard, our ground floor neighbour before I was finally back home feeling pretty knackered.

I had a quick bite to eat and berries with cream and caught finally up with my blips.

Blipping one of our famous Smug murals. I did not get the timing right though :(.

Hey - I am up to date!!!!