Glasgow 2018

On Saturday after a really big brunch (which proved to be a rookie mistake later on), we went to see the People's Palace. The Palace sits in a park but the Proms in the Park was on so the park was closed.  

Largest terracotta fountain in Europe/world - not 100% sure

Inside there is large green house and cafe and a museum on the history of Glasgow.

And they had Billy Connolly's banana shoes. (I use the image of banana shoes at work to stay sane.)

They had some interesting exhibits on WWII and the living conditions in the tenements. They really crammed them into those houses. 

Not sure this would survive a bomb blast

View from the top of the green house.

We booked an afternoon tea which was amazing! We upgraded to add a G&T, which was so worth it. I have found Harris Gin, from the Isle of Harris. It seems destined.

Gin!

When we saw the actual afternoon tea, we realised at the mistake of having a good size brunch. (Next time we are going hungry. But they did give us a box to take away the leftovers so it wasn't wasted.)

Cake stand

Cakes.

Sandwiches (one level each)

And tea.

There was also unlimited tea, which we frankly didn't do justice to. And the tea menu was extensive - I wanted to try so many more.  I really love Glasgow!
We had plans for after but we could barely walk so wondered around a little (very slowly) before going back to Caroline's for movies and eventually the rest of our cakes. 

Isle of Cumbrae and Millport

This weekend I went up to Glasgow for the long weekend to visit Caroline. On Friday we headed over to the Isle of Cumbrae. And the weather was amazing! It didn't rain. In Scotland!

The trip took a while but it was worth it. After an ice-cream, we got the ferry to the isle. It was a tinkly little ferry but crazily efficient. They started putting down the car ramp quite a while before we got to the shore. Everyone was looking a little nervous as it started be lowered. But they have it timed to the minute.

On the ferry across (with an ice-cream)

The ferry lands on the north East side of the island. Where there is nothing. So we got the bus to the south and the main (only) town, Millport. It is a beautiful little town which some gorgeous beaches.

Beach.

Enjoying the sun

They were holding a country music festival that weekend (sadly it didn't start until the Friday evening so we missed it) but the whole town got into it with a lot of flags. (Even a Confederate flag - I am guessing they didn't know what it meant.) Embarrassingly it took me a while to figure this out. 

Lots of flags.

We found the cathedral which is the smallest cathedral in the UK. And it was pretty small. It took us a while to find a way in but the walk around was nice.

UK's smallest cathedral.

Not sure what is in here.

Before lunch we wondered along the sea front to visit the crocodile.

Caroline told me to pose - I think she expected serious. 

The crocodile is famous on the island. It's a rock that someone has painted a crocodile face on.

Crocodile

After lunch, we went for a walk to the tea rooms. The path started off as a path. Soon, as with all the walks I seem to go on, it soon become less clear.

Walking.

Less obvious.

Then we ended up going through a field of cows. They watched us suspiciously but thankfully were mostly more interested in the grass. And then the path just become a suggestion down the hill with some lovely muddy patches. Next time I am having no input. I always pick dodgy paths. 

But we did make it to the tea rooms. 

And then we realised the only other way back (other than back up the hill we just slide down) was going to take an hour. But the route was only the coat so very pretty. We stopped part way to investigate some rocks. Why not?

War memorial.

We were very happy to get back to the bus, which broke down on the way to the ferry. We did make it in the end and we're on holiday. We didn't care.

We ended up at thai for dinner and back at Caroline's early, both knackered. I am really not used to walking that far. 

Glasgow day 2

On the Sunday, we had another lazy morning and went for brunch. (Though we both still miss the American style brunches. They definitely do the best.) The weather was much nicer (the sun does shine in Glasgow!) and we had a walk around the botanical gardens and then along the river into the centre of town.

One of the many greenhouses.

They thought we had food.

Killer plants.

Down to the river.

My plane home was delayed. Of course. So there was no choice but to sit with a nice glass of wine and chill out. I am already planning my next trip.

Glasgow day 1

Last weekend I took a trip up to Glasgow to see Caroline. I didn't get there until late on the Friday night, just in time for dinner and of course wine. :)

I have been to Glasgow before when doing my PhD but it was not a great trip (like most of my PhD!)  and I think I have blocked most of it from my mind. This trip was so much better.

The weather on Saturday was not great and rained most of the day. We had a very lazy morning but we went to the Kelvingrove museum and saw the cartoon exhibit, then took the tour bus around to the cathedral. 

In Kelvingrove park

The museum and it's random mascot

Cool Egyptian exhibit.

Superman cape.

The man

We3 - amazing cartoon. Cute kitty, puppy and rabbit who kill people.

Never figured this one out.

Crypt of St. Mungo, patron saint of Glasgow

Under Glasgow cathedral.

We had dinner at a vietnamese place near Caroline's. (She was using my visit as an excuse to try out new place and that was fine with me.)

Dinner.

Which was of course followed by cocktails.