My last two columns have been a real slog to write. The sun was bearing down on my bikini clad bod and several cold beers had my name on them. Yes my friends I escaped the monsoon conditions for a couple of weeks to relax in the guaranteed sun of the United Arab Emirates.

Years of service in the industry ensured a fantastic deal in a luxurious hotel surrounded by a beach of golden sand. Tommy was his usual boring self, although he had his moments insisting on a romantic walks on the beach every day! He did confess that it was probably the most relaxing and contented holiday he’d had with his ‘two girls’. Aww!

We have been lucky enough to holiday in Dubai several times over the last 20 years, and the food, weather and people never fail to impress. Of course we returned to the rain and dark clouds that should be here in October but have dominated July. Apparently this July will be the wettest since weather records began. Sure we are proud of our ‘Dear Green Place’ reputation but is it too much to ask for a few weeks of warm weather while the weans are off school? I’m sure Aldi isn’t the only store currently trying to punt the barbecue kits on the cheap as too many were ordered by an optimistic forward planner.

Never mind, one upside (the silver lining among the clouds) is our abundant indoor attractions like the Kelvingrove Museum and Burrell Collection have been experiencing record numbers of visitors. Every sad story has at least two sides.

Glad rags

I donned my glad rags on Saturday night to attend a charity boxing bout on behalf of Yorkhill Sick Children’s Hospital at the Marriot hotel in the city. Yet again Tommy had been watching too many Rocky films and had agreed to do another boxing night.

He was matched up against another ‘Tommy’. A younger, taller, slimmer and more handsome Tommy in the shape of the club and pub owner Thomas Melville. The charming duo of Frankie ‘bhoy’ MacAvennie and Andy ‘The goalie’ Goram were also there to lend their support to such a good cause. They were both charming and full of funny stories concerning their respective football careers.

I met lots of lovely people on the night including Andy Cameron (not the comedian) and his lovely wife Donna, both from Royston. Andy manages the mighty St Rochs and he made me promise I would give them a mention in this week’s column so my promise is kept.

Of course St Rochs are not my favourite Junior football team. Pride of place in my heart belongs to Govan’s finest, St Anthonys. I wish them both well for the season ahead.

Somehow Tommy managed to survive the bout in tact but his shoogily auld legs and other limbs are definitely beginning to show their age. He’s no longer got the ‘eye of the tiger’ - more like the ‘eye of the mongoose’!  Hanging up his gloves is surely the best advice I can offer.

All in all it was a fun night and hopefully much needed funds were raised to support the wonderful work carried out by all the staff at Yorkhill.