BACK in Scotland for the first time in 17 years for my sister's golden wedding, I have to praise the city's parks department. From Kelvingrove to Queen's Park, Bellahouston to the Botanics, the trees and flowerbeds are absolutely beautiful. The cherry blossom in particular was an absolute joy - like a carpet of pink confetti.

Living in western Arizona I don't get much chance to admire such verdant greenery - mind you, over there I've never needed to buy so much as a raincoat or an umbrella - although things can get a bit hot at times in the summer months. The parks are almost enough to make me think about moving back.

Once again I'll be going home and urging all my friends and neighbours to pay a visit to the best wee country, with the most beautiful parks in the world. WALTER MATHIESON, Pollok How to earn a tip

AS a former bar worker I always leave a tip for waiting staff - and always in cash (Should staff have to rely on tips to top up low pay? May 8).

There are far too many dodgy companies out there who, if you add the tip to your credit card bill will simply pocket the cash you intended for your server.

Mind you, compared to America and most of Europe some of our service staff could do with a kick up the backside.

It costs nothing to smile, be polite and be friendly, and you never know, the next person you serve might leave a really big tip. IAIN KANE, Via e-mail The market dictates

I'D love to see many of the brownfield sites in the city redeveloped. The trouble is, most of them are owned by private developers who won't touch the site until the price is right, and I doubt we'll such much a dent being made until the property market picks up. KEN FERGUSON, Strathbungo My fall guy heroes

I WOULD like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped me on the morning on May when I tripped at the bottom of Renfield Street and fell and hurt my face.

Everyone, the two gents who picked me up and called for an ambulance, the rapid response team guys who comforted me until the ambulance arrived, the paramedic girls who took me to the Royal Infirmary, the hospital staff and the lovely young lady doctor who stitched my wound were absolutely brilliant.

Well done, Glasgow! NANCY CRAWFORD, Pollokshields Mad May weather

WHAT happened to the weather? I'd just got my garden tidied and the plants, particularly my climbers, were looking great. Now, after all the wind and rain, it's back looking like a bomb has hit it. KERRY McKAY, Via e-mail Big cars, small brains

DRIVING on the M8 last week was a terrifying experience.

Despite the fact the frequent cloudbursts and surface water had reduced visibility to just a few yards, there were still idiots in the outside lane doing 80 or 90mph.

Even at the bit where the road narrows on the southside of the Kingston Bridge for the M74 works, there were still lunatics booting it down the fast lane.

The one thing that they all had in common was that they were driving large and expensive cars. Proof, if ever it was needed, that a full wallet often indicates an empty head.

The guys with the ABS and airbags obviously think they are indestructible once they get behind the wheel. MICK FARRIS, Via e-mail WRITE: Evening Times, 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3QB. Please include your name and address. E-MAIL: letters@eveningtimes.co.uk Please include postal address. TEXT: key in the word 'etletters', leave a space then send your comments to 88010. Max 160 characters. Please include your name or initials and where you're from. Texts cost 25p at all times. HOT TOPIC: Find another home for the leaky old subs

OH goody, bring all the old leaky dangerous subs to Scotland, and while you're at it, tell our enemies exactly where they are. VICTOR MELDREW, Condorrat Death benefits

I TAKE it this is one of the benefits we hear so much about that Scotland gets for being part of the United Kingdom.

Personally, this is the kind of benefit I could do without.

The sooner we get independence the sooner we can wave goodbye to these instruments of death. SAM, Posted online Good news for Scotland

THIS is great news for Scotland, the number of jobs generated and maintained will be a great economic boost. Hopefully we may also see the end to that eyesore of a peace camp. YOUNGCHICK, Renfrew More money wasted

IN the last 10 years millions of pounds have been spent redeveloping the Devonport yard to service the nuclear subs. What a complete waste of money. WILLIEBOY, Glasgow Dumping ground for subs

A NUMBER of the subs concerned are almost at the end of their working lives and I suspect, rather than something to be welcomed, the base will be used as a dumping ground. HELEN KERR, Posted online Jobs are being moved

THE MoD have said they will transfer 1000 personnel from England and the jobs created for contractors will be minimal and mostly short term. Therefore I can't see where all the new jobs promised will come from. PUSKAS, East Kilbride Waste of public money

However many jobs it is, they will all be paid for by the tax payer. As a tax payer I would rather see my money spent on wealth generating schemes. SNOWTHISTLE, Glasgow House prices will rise

JUST what we need, more traffic, more kids in the schools and house prices bumped up as wealthy southerners move north. PETER HENDERSON, Via e-mail