Geriatrics’ rave

It’s morning and there’s no wind. I make porridge on the camping gas stove. Fuelled, we head into the chill to give the veg store a little remedial attention - the back wall has bowed outwards, so Nick and I push it back into upright and install a couple of sticks to hold it there.

Early afternoon, Kerry and I head to Paulswell to collect Sandra. We’re heading for Carluke and thence Glasgow. Destination the Blackfriars in Merchant City for the semi- annual Geriatrics’ Rave laid an for the aging denizens of Islam, a Glasgow techno club.

First though, check into Point A hotel and get in line a Sugo for a pasta dinner. We have a 45 minute wait, so we head for Vroni’s winter, but they won’t let us in. Au Bar One is also at capacity. There’s space at Iguanas, but we have to order via QR code, and their website is not happy with Safari. Eventually we get a couple of mega-rum cocktails, which prepares us for pasta.

Sugo is heaving. We get our table and like up a bottle of house red. I go for chitarra with confit tomato, anchovy, chili, garlic and ricotta salate. Kerry opts for bucatini with guanciale, in a fresh tomato sauce topped with pecorino. Yum.

The Blackfriars is crowded, with a covers band knocking out classics upstairs. At 10 the basement opens for the rave/party. We know practically no one, but it’s a friendly place and the dance floor gets quite busy. And suddenly it’s 2am and everything is over.

We decline an invitation to an after party, and wander back to the hotel. I manage to put away a poke of chips, filling the void that drinking and dancing has created.