Glasgow

Last night I watched the second episode of series 6 of Mad Men with ToN.  Although the characters are not nice, I have decided I can get into it again.  It is rather good. I also had a rare glass of wine.  It was quite nice, I suppose, and my head is OK.  

How ironic.  My rail ticket was kindly refunded by Cross Country as I was panicked by a proposed strike which never happenend.  Over porridge I browse BBC Travel and discover there is a massive delay on M3 to Southampton Airport, so ToN takes me via the country route and I arrive in good time to enjoy the delights of free water and four hours free wifi.  Only five persons are in security, not including staff who know all about the delay on the M3!  I am hauled over due to 'liquids' in my case.  Turns out to be my cereal bars!  That's a first.  Suspect they were bored.  Gross music in Costa. But tranquility and a passable view. 

Now I have arrived! And it is a lovely day!  Did not like the flight much but it is over and they even gave me a strawbs and cream sweet!  I am seriously hot in black jeans, what is going on in Scotland?  And none of that wind which Berkshire has been blighted with.

It is only ten minutes to the first stop on the excellent First Great Western Shuttle bus.  Why can't FGW run our trains this well?  So easy. 

 Was Boris here?  How did he get out alive?  See below.

In Marks and Spencer's I discover that people here are alive and compassionate.  I am sad to count three beggars and there is too much passive smoking on the streets.  No wonder the SNP want more freedom. 

I have word that my little friend in Glasgow has a First from Glasgow Scool of Art.  I need to celebrate and go to bed early too.  In that order.  Obviously.  

After check in I take a walk down to the Clyde. 

Below we have St Andrew's, a Roman Catholic Cathedral on the river bank.  It was designed in 1814 by James Gillespie Graham in the neo Gothic style. From the Scottish Reformation of 1560 until the Catholic Relief Act of 1791, which restored certain civil rights and freedom of worship, Catholics in Scotland had to worship covertly. By the end of the 18th century, particularly with the influx of Irish immigrants to Glasgow during the Industrial Revolution, there emerged an increasing demand for a Roman Catholic church in the city. In 1805 the decision was taken by the Rev. Andrew Scott to build a new church in Clyde Street. And here it is today. 

Nearby is La Pasionaria Memorial dediated to Dolores Ibarruri and all of those British who died fighting fascism in the Spanish Civil War.  It was sculpted by Arthur Dooley, a communist artist in the 1970's. Dolores, better known as La Pasionaria, was a Republican politician from the Basque region of northern Spain, who died in 1989. 

A quotation from La Pasionaria is written on the base of the statue: "Better to die on your feet than live forever on your knees."

           ,  

Later at 5 Blythswood Square I notice cast in stone 'The Glasgow Society of Lady Artists' which is fitting when my very own local lady artist got a First.  The Society was founded in 1882 by eight female students of the Glasgow School of Art  with the aim of according due recognition to women in the field of art. The eight founding members were successful business women, and by 1895 had accumulated sufficient funds to allow the purchase of the house. In 1907 a Decoration Committee commissioned Charles Rennie Mackintosh to carry out certain interior work and the striking black pedimento neo-classical front door. The Club thrived over the following 64 years until 1971 when it was sold to the Scottish Arts Council.  I am not sure what it is used for today but spot a bloke in a suit failing to gain entry.

After a shower, I head to Meat, a craft beer bar and restaurant on West Regent Street. I enjoy a half of Ginger 5.1 from the Marble Brewers in Manchester. I think it is fitting for a person born and bred in that great city to celebrate the First in this manner.  The bar is Scandy cool and friendly with Scandy prices.  I make new friends who are amused that I am also 5'1' and ginger.  Really? 

I end up in Edward G Wylie, a Wetherspoons in Bothwell St and have a filling veggie burger, chips and salad washed down with a Fraoch Heather Ale from William Bros Brewing. Very nice and high time I had a Scottish beer.  Whole package less than seven quid.  That is the way to do it and now it is time for bed.