Thought it might be best to include today's adventures in the blog to ensure we've memorialized the entire trip. As I type this we've just lifted off the runway at Glasgow on our way down to London. We'll overnight there before catching an early-afternoon flight back to LA.
Today was another one for the record books it seems. Nearly everyone we talked to couldn't believe the sun and temp. All the hotel staff were trying to take time off work just to be outside.
Decided last night that we'd take an early train to Weymss Bay for our first and last full Scottish breakfast. Problem is, trains from Central Station don't run to Weymss Bay very early on a Sunday morning. Instead we took a cab to Paisley and caught the train from there. All of this was of course preceded by our usual white coffee and cup of tea at Costa.
By 11am we were in the SeaView cafe, talking with the owner and enjoying our breakfast. A regular for mum and a large for me. I really need to start exercising when I get home. Grace I hope you've bought the treadmill already.
While savouring the last bites of back bacon and square sausages, we plotted our next move. Although we were quite successful in packing the bags last night, this morning brought a whole new reality. It occurred to us that even though we thought we'd done a good job, we'd still need to purchase another bag to bring home all the things mum had bought! Haha. For awhile we contemplated taking a bus into Largs or even a ferry over to Rothesay. Both had Woolworths and Rothesay had the additional benefit of lemon sherbets that we couldn't find anywhere else. Finally decided time was too short and decided to take a walk along the road instead. Got as far as the pumping station before needing to turn back for our train.
Back in the city by 1pm and we were on the hunt for a new suitcase. Found one in Watt Brothers that to our surprise was open on Sunday. Lugged that around Suchiehall, Buchanan and Argyle Streets as we (or I) hunted out last minute buys. A rangers shirt here, a loaf of plain bread there. Before you knew it our new case was nearly full!
Arrived back at the hotel to the fiasco of having to transfer things from one bag to the other. Had to do it in the bellman's luggage closet which must have been 85F.
With still nearly 3 hours to kill we decided to take a cab over to Glasgow Cathedral to have a look around. Glad we made the trip even though we were already a bit tired. It's a wonderful place to visit and full of history. It dates back to sometime around 1500 I think and it's sheer size and significance means you'd need a day or two to really appreciate it all. After a tour of the inside we walked around the surrounding cemetery for a look at all the old headstones. Many were impossible to make out as time and weather have washed the writing away but some of the older surviving ones dated back to the early 1600s. This is a certainly a must see for any visitor to Glasgow.
Back to the hotel and settled in after that for a late lunch and last pint (or glass of wine in mum's case) at the hotel. Met a nice waitress that was excited to hear we live in LA as she'll be moving there in June to be with her boyfriend. Were also treated to the sights of a lavish Indian wedding that was just starting as we were getting ready to leave for the airport. Couldn't believe the production that was made over the groom's entrance. As for the bride, if you hadn't seen her arrive 30 minutes beforehand, you wouldn't have even known she was there!
Washed down the shrimp and the toasty and with suitcases in hand (6 in total now) we boarded the cab for Glasgow Airport. A nice cabbie (as most of them have been) and wouldn't you know it he grew up in Crosshill, just down the road from mum in Cathcart. And like mum, attended the same school - Holyrood. Small world indeed.
Arrived at the airport a bit earlier than necessary and checked our mass of bags onto the flight. Thank God for Star Alliance in times like this otherwise there'd be no chance we be let on with the weight of those bags! A last McEwans in the lounge and a few pieces of Dairy Milk. What a combo but what else can you do when you're about to leave it all behind!
I can feel the plane now in descent into Heathrow. They'll be telling me to shut off the computer any second now so this is a good time to sign off for the night and for the trip. Hope you've enjoyed following along on our trip and look forward to seeing you all soon.
Goodnight from 10,000 feet over Britain...
Today was another one for the record books it seems. Nearly everyone we talked to couldn't believe the sun and temp. All the hotel staff were trying to take time off work just to be outside.
Decided last night that we'd take an early train to Weymss Bay for our first and last full Scottish breakfast. Problem is, trains from Central Station don't run to Weymss Bay very early on a Sunday morning. Instead we took a cab to Paisley and caught the train from there. All of this was of course preceded by our usual white coffee and cup of tea at Costa.
By 11am we were in the SeaView cafe, talking with the owner and enjoying our breakfast. A regular for mum and a large for me. I really need to start exercising when I get home. Grace I hope you've bought the treadmill already.
While savouring the last bites of back bacon and square sausages, we plotted our next move. Although we were quite successful in packing the bags last night, this morning brought a whole new reality. It occurred to us that even though we thought we'd done a good job, we'd still need to purchase another bag to bring home all the things mum had bought! Haha. For awhile we contemplated taking a bus into Largs or even a ferry over to Rothesay. Both had Woolworths and Rothesay had the additional benefit of lemon sherbets that we couldn't find anywhere else. Finally decided time was too short and decided to take a walk along the road instead. Got as far as the pumping station before needing to turn back for our train.
Back in the city by 1pm and we were on the hunt for a new suitcase. Found one in Watt Brothers that to our surprise was open on Sunday. Lugged that around Suchiehall, Buchanan and Argyle Streets as we (or I) hunted out last minute buys. A rangers shirt here, a loaf of plain bread there. Before you knew it our new case was nearly full!
Arrived back at the hotel to the fiasco of having to transfer things from one bag to the other. Had to do it in the bellman's luggage closet which must have been 85F.
With still nearly 3 hours to kill we decided to take a cab over to Glasgow Cathedral to have a look around. Glad we made the trip even though we were already a bit tired. It's a wonderful place to visit and full of history. It dates back to sometime around 1500 I think and it's sheer size and significance means you'd need a day or two to really appreciate it all. After a tour of the inside we walked around the surrounding cemetery for a look at all the old headstones. Many were impossible to make out as time and weather have washed the writing away but some of the older surviving ones dated back to the early 1600s. This is a certainly a must see for any visitor to Glasgow.
Back to the hotel and settled in after that for a late lunch and last pint (or glass of wine in mum's case) at the hotel. Met a nice waitress that was excited to hear we live in LA as she'll be moving there in June to be with her boyfriend. Were also treated to the sights of a lavish Indian wedding that was just starting as we were getting ready to leave for the airport. Couldn't believe the production that was made over the groom's entrance. As for the bride, if you hadn't seen her arrive 30 minutes beforehand, you wouldn't have even known she was there!
Washed down the shrimp and the toasty and with suitcases in hand (6 in total now) we boarded the cab for Glasgow Airport. A nice cabbie (as most of them have been) and wouldn't you know it he grew up in Crosshill, just down the road from mum in Cathcart. And like mum, attended the same school - Holyrood. Small world indeed.
Arrived at the airport a bit earlier than necessary and checked our mass of bags onto the flight. Thank God for Star Alliance in times like this otherwise there'd be no chance we be let on with the weight of those bags! A last McEwans in the lounge and a few pieces of Dairy Milk. What a combo but what else can you do when you're about to leave it all behind!
I can feel the plane now in descent into Heathrow. They'll be telling me to shut off the computer any second now so this is a good time to sign off for the night and for the trip. Hope you've enjoyed following along on our trip and look forward to seeing you all soon.
Goodnight from 10,000 feet over Britain...
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