Thursday 11 May 2006

on the Newcastle-Carlisle train 
I've been sitting on the Millennium Bridge in Gateshead in this morning's sunshine admiring the view, and saying hello to the kittiwakes under the Tyne Bridge. By comparison, Glasgow has still to make good use of its river. Even out of town by the Science Centre you wouldn't really think of passing the time there.

But I was in Newcastle last night to become a life member of The 17 (one better than the Sixteen). It was a fun and thought-provoking experience, standing in a darkened gallery vocalising with a small group of people dimly silhoutted against Bill Drummond's iconic canvasses and scores. The man himself is far more pragmatic and self-deprecating than his austere artwork might perhaps suggest - and very funny - and afterwards he and his team drove me in their Land Rover to the Cumberland Arms, where we had a pint outside under the moon. Gimpo very kindly gave me a lift back into town when I was too knackered to stay for a curry. What an excellent evening.