Glasgow

It’s as we remembered it. A bit forlorn with moments of unspeakable beauty. A mixture of grandeur and decay and so much potential. You all know Brad – he loves a challenge – in every run down-opulent building he envisions the future. His mind is going a thousand miles an hour, he asks everyone questions, he is googling businesses and real estate prices and imagining the city as it should be.

The architecture is just beautiful. It’s almost crying to tell you it’s history. Every building has a story, and the most beautiful ones have the patina of a bygone era. They were built in the 1800’s when Glasgow was the largest trading port in the world. After I finish with Christopher Wren and Isambard Kingdom Brunel (I do love that name) I am going to study the history of Glasgow – we’ve always felt attached to this city. Brad has a reason – his 3rd great grandfather lived and worked in Paisley, just down the road, but me? Can’t explain it.

We walked up Garnet Hill to the Glasgow School of Art (a Charles Rennie Mackintosh building that has burned down twice!) and saw an exhibit by Joan Eardly, one of their former students. The building is still under repairs, but there is a feeling within that building that’s hard to describe. There is some true energy there – it’s one of the world’s best art schools and draws folks from around the world, but it’s different – it’s almost spiritual.

We walked down the hill and around to the Tenament House,the home of Miss Agnes Toward from 1912 – 1965. It was very much like a Historic New England property. We got to see how an average Glaswegian lived during the two world wars — it was a time capsule. She saved things and lived a very compact life. Upon her death, her apartment was to be cleared until a young woman saw that it was a peak into 1920’s Glasgow and saved it. Now this quiet maiden lady is known to everyone who visits. I love these stories.

After that we headed for Dim Sum (Brad had chicken noodle soup).

Over to the River Clyde to see the fabulous Zaha Hadid Riverside Museum. We spent close to two hours with boats, trains, subway cars, bicycles and motorbikes. Brad was in heaven. If there is a car museum, we will find it.

Back to the City Centre ON A BUS at Brad’s request (he’s warming to public transport) and into Scotland’s version of Harrod’s, House of Fraser.

Back to the hotel for tea and a rest, followed by an early dinner at the hotel.

The name of the restaurant is Iasg (pronounced ee-usk), and the seafood is pristine. Fried Cumbrian oysters, smoked haddock and clam chowder and grilled plaice. All perfectly executed.

A short walk to the Royal Concert Hall to see the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (lotta royals in that description) and back home for the night. The orchestra was good, the chorus was great, and the composer/conductor was fair. We didn’t fall asleep, so that’s saying something.

14,000 steps today in a very chilly, but clear and sunny Glasgow.