With the hot weather keeping me inside today and a new “for you” photo album of my visit to Glasgow I decided to once again try out my technical skills to download specific photos in one lump. The only downside so far has been trying to match some of my recollections with the photos that will make sense here. It has helped to have some pretty good notes – unlike for many places. I even kept details of expenses!
We took a train from Inverness to Glasgow where we would spend two nights to enjoy our visit to Glasgow. This was a city neither of us really had any expectations of. Which made it such a pleasant surprise. The first was leaving the railway station and landing nearly in the centre of a bustling city. With its mix of old and new architecture, many many cafes & restaurants, and weekend vibe we were ready to explore. After checking in to our hotel.
We turned a corner to see Caffe Nero at St. Enoch sitting smack dab in the middle of an otherwise fairly modern square. I was quite taken with the building and knew it could not have been purpose built for a cafe. Sadly there is nothing at the site to indicate its original purpose. They do make good coffee though. My curiosity still not satisfied I finally looked it up and later found a small piece somewhere on our walks about the building. It was built in 1896 as the ticket office and entrance to the subway. Now a great space to sit outside to people watch although the footprint allowed for that is quite limited. Of course I had a coffee despite how late it was. I also went for a walk along the river and crossed one of the many foot bridges to see what was on the other side. Not much where I was.
The next day we ate breakfast at the hotel, mainly because I had checked out opening times for a few nearby places the day before and that morning. Nothing seems to open particularly early in many places in the UK. £7.50 for a simple breakfast including coffee. My daughter joined me later and had a more substantial meal. Smart. We ended up doing a lot of walking that day. We had a few ideas of where to visit. Unfortunately, most of them were closed! Thank goodness for the Internet. We adjusted our plans and headed to Riverside Museum and the Tall Ship Museum, both entry by donation. As our path was along the river we were able to take in so many sights.
That day I heard the news that the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision had been overturned ( legal terminology: overruled). As we were discussing this we came upon a statue of a woman facing the river with her arms raised. Not knowing anything about it I thought it fitted with my views on our topic. Reading the inscription on the front I still thought the same although the statue was to commemorate those in the Labour Movement who fought in Spain 1936-1939 against Fascism. I do not know why they chose a Spanish woman, Dolores Ibarruri, beyond her political and staunch support to eradicate Fascism. Nor do I think she, a Catholic, would have been in favour of the original decision. However, not knowing any of this my initial thought was how fitting, a woman expressing freedom. We do not have it, we are going backwards. I am grateful to not be an American. (An often asked question during my trip to which I perhaps too often vehemently, yet politely, replied, Canadian).
We continued our walk. Yet another sight caught our attention. This time it was a river cruiser paddle boat docked on the opposite side of the river. As we were admiring it we saw people boarding, the paddles slowly begin to churn the waters and a much smaller boat begin to nose around stern of the much larger ship. Intrigued, as well as rather apprehensive, wondering if the lone boatman had a death wish, we watched and pondered what was happening. Then that very small boat slowly, gently, began to push the paddle boat away from the dock, until it was sitting across the river rather than with the flow before finally, with paddles madly turning made its way upriver. That little motorboat seem to wag its tail as it turned away from the onlookers. Such a perfect name.
As the photos show, we were not done with the connection to the river. I mention that we did not find a place to eat at the rotunda. However, on our last night, before the play, we came across a place called the Butterfly & the Pig. We thought such an interesting name, carried on. Then, after some discussion over the wisdom, or lack of, of returning to our room to freshen up and find dinner before trying to buy tickets, and a couple of blocks, we turned around to find a place. Of course we stopped at the Butterfly and the Pig – a downstairs ‘shabby-chic…mismatched furniture, vintage wallpaper’ bar & restaurant. This was a very ‘in’ location and we were lucky to get a table. There were at least three ‘hen’ (bachelorette) parties coming and going while we were there. Lots of laughter, a funky menu – that seems to change & I cannot recall what I ate . Most likely a couple of ‘Smalls’.
Glasgow may not have stunning natural beauty but its combination of old and new architecture, a very hip scene, fabulous, as well as free, museums, and fantastic eateries makes it a city not to dismiss.
St. Enoch Caffe Nero: latte £3.00, Hotel continental breakfast: £7.50, 4 postcards and stamps: £10.50, Food Truck (at Riverside Museum): plant based burger £5.00 (it was £5.50 but they wanted my change), Dinner: Butterfly & Piggy: £11.95, Theatre (Joseph): £13.00, Black Sheep Coffee: £6.00 (train station)
unattended grandma 