gohn's profile

I don’t have much other recent zoo experience to compare it too but I really like Edinburgh Zoo, there is always so much to see I can never get round everything.

Obviously you spend most of the time outside so be prepared, whatever the weather, in Scotland this means be prepared for all weather at all times, don’t let your day be ruined by too much sun or a bit of rain.

I’m not sure what the people expect when they complain about not seeing all the animals, these are wild animals and they have some space here to wander around, they will hide and sleep during the day.

The zoo is currently undergoing a massive overhaul; the whole place will eventually be rebuilt.

This means better access and happier animals; some of these new enclosures are already complete, give yourself plenty of time to see the chimps at their new home: The Budongo Trail.

I’m not sure if this place is as great as I think it is, or maybe it’s because there isn’t a great deal of competition in the area, however I do go back on a regular-ish basis.

As it doesn’t open until 4 o’clock it’s not really an option for lunch time or early diners but has a decent enough closing time of 11 every night of the week.

I usually phone my order in, one of the set meals for two, and as promised it is always ready to collect 15 minutes later.

Portion sizes are good and there is always enough left over for the next day’s lunch.

This garden centre is to the smaller locally owned businesses, what Asda is to your local green grocer.

The shop is bigger and some things might appear cheaper, but I have generally found the actual range of items available and the knowledge of the staff somewhat lacking.

It feels as though most of the place is taken up with conservatories and china and candles, is that what a garden centre should be?

The last couple of times I’ve been in looking through the garden tools and thought: yes this is all very good for a bit of topiary, at the most, but where are the proper tools. I’ll stick to going elsewhere in future.

I have to say that this place is a hardware shop very much in the mould on the one seen in the Two Ronnies “fork handles” sketch, but in a good way.

It’s one of those shops that’s actually surprising to find, a small local business where the staff are helpful, friendly and knowledgeable all in the right quantities.

This is the place to go locally for all manner of hardware items, fireplaces, tools, mouse traps, axes, scythes and all other weird bits and bobs.

They also sell homeware items and ornamental things, the range and the service that this shop provides just can’t be touched by somewhere like B & Q or Homebase.

I’m quite local to New Lanark and have visited many times in the past, and still I enjoy coming here for nothing in particular. I don’t visit the actual museum and as of yet have never dined nor enjoyed a stay at the hotel but find that there is more than enough to see to fill an afternoon or more.

There is parking near the road at the top of the hill but unless you are a resident, people do live here it’s not all a museum, you’ll generally need to make your way down the steep hill into the valley to the village.

The village itself, a world heritage site and what could be described as an early exercise in fairtrade, looks as though it is captured in time or as though you’re on a film set.

It’s a great place to go for a walk at any time of the year, if you’re up to it take a walk along to the falls on clyde, they’re absolutely stunning.

This is a pretty good wee local branch of the co-op no where near being a full sized supermarket but bigger and with a broader selection than your average corner shop.

Near the end of the day, this is invariably when I pop-in, they have fresh fruit and veg that has been marked down in price when you know it still has a month before it is actually ripe.

The problem I have with this shop is relying on it too much, when they are out of stock of something in particular I have felt quite let down, the nearest supermarket is about 6 miles away.

Generally I find Lidl to be a bit odd, it’s very hit and miss: you’ll find a satellite dish next to thermal vests, next too a waffle maker in the hardware section, and the fresh fruit and veg can be great when there’s stuff of the shelves, but they can look a bit desolate by the end of the day.

There are people out there who Lidl watch, and by that I mean know what is going to be coming into Lidl in the future in the non-food bit of the shop.

Following a tip-off from one such person regarding cheap fruit trees, yes I know the crazy circles I move in, I went along to my local branch in Lanark but to no avail: they had sold out.

Then it occurred to me if the stores all receive the same stock but only certain things will be popular in certain areas, so I went along to this branch on the way home and confirmed my theory as a branch in a built-up area the stock of trees were untouched (pun intended).

Some people have asked if I did it for charity, others have asked if it is a religious pilgrimage, but it was neither for me but very much a case of: “because it was there”.

That’s why I walked the West Highland Way in early September a couple of years ago.

If you don’t know the West Highland Way is a walk of approximately 95 miles that takes you from Milngavie to Fort William through some of the most beautiful scenery in Scotland.

It’s not a mountain trek, but it’s not a walk in the park either, the highlight of one day is ascending a hill known as the devil’s staircase, although to be honest I didn’t find the way up too bad it’s was going down the other side in torrential rain that took the shine off things.

The weather could really make or break you on the walk I think, I was fairly lucky and had good days 6 out of the 7, some people do it in less but I think if I was to do it again (and I would) it would be in at least 10 to really take my time and enjoy the surroundings.

The Art Store stocks a wide range of art and craft materials, in-fact the shop is absolutely jam packed with stuff resulting in little space to walk round, making it a bit difficult to have a look at everything.

If it’s quiet enough and you have the time, it is a great shop with everything for serious artists and illustrators: various types of paints, pens, canvas and paper; great bits and pieces for amateurs and children: starter sets, mini-projects and gift sets.

I wouldn’t really expect to find a bargain here but there is a great range and a good source of materials for yourself or a gift for someone creative.

I drop in here fairly often to pick up a few bits and pieces, usually when I’m going to the Farmers Market which is held here on the first Saturday of the month.

They stock a small range of regular grocery type items, some fruit, bread, workwear and an usually large selection of toy tractors.

To me though the main attraction of the farm shop is the local produce: eggs, meat and fruit & veg. Please remember though that this is not a supermarket and you wont get some things out of season.

The farm shop also takes orders for large quantities of meat and at this time of the year they take orders for turkeys and sell Christmas trees.