It’s Monday again and you know I’m bursting to share a little of Saturday’s day trip to Glasgow, don’t you?
Now you may think that it’s a long way to go to take a walk, but if I tell you that the four and a half hour coach trip in each direction was totally worth it… well, I wouldn’t disagree if you thought I was crazy. It’s a city that I’ve wanted to see for many years and the opportunity just never comes up. So, I made it happen.
What a city! Despite leaky grey skies I thoroughly enjoyed it. Perhaps because of the switchback of streets and the endless vistas, or maybe the feistiness, it reminded me in many ways of Barcelona. And that was truly a love affair. Glasgow architecture was an exhilarating mix. I’m a long-time fan of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and I managed a fascinating glimpse into his world, but I’m going to start you off gently.
I hope you have a sturdy pair of shoes (I ruined mine!) and a waterproof with you. It’s another wet one! Straight down the hill from Buchanan Bus Station I came upon George’s Square, where quite a vocal gathering was taking place. I told you they were feisty!
I nipped through the arches at the Royal Exchange and found myself on Buchanan St. Shopping heaven, I’m led to believe, but today I’m on a mission to walk beside the Clyde. The sound of pounding drums waylaid me for a while.
Rounding the corner I was on famous Sauchiehall St. Striding along, I encountered the Willow Tea Rooms. Pinch me, somebody- am I dreaming? My first glimpse of Rennie Mackintosh.
I was wondering if I had time for a tour of the Glasgow School of Art, just round the corner on Dalhousie St. I stuck my head inside and gazed with longing. As I stood, looking up, the door behind me swung open and cracked me on the head! The young students were highly apologetic, but laughing too. A stupid, but very understandable, place to stand.
I had intended to follow Sauchiehall St. all the way to Kelvingrove Park and the Art Gallery, then down to the river, but the rain was quite persistent. I don’t quite understand why squelching along the riverbank seemed a sensible option but I was determined to see the Clyde Arc. The hill dropped away and I with it.
I wasn’t totally alone but there weren’t too many misguided souls, I have to confess. My shoes were feeling a bit squelchy and as I walked west, scanning the horizon for the Arc, I realised that the riverside walk was being renewed. Diggers in lime green lay forlorn and abandoned in the rain. As the traffic hurtled overhead on the M8, some swimmers brought a little smile.
At this point things went a little awry. I had intended to cross the bridge and follow the opposite bank of the river back to the next bridge, but the footpath appeared to be barriered off. Two cheery cyclists explained that the residents of this smart housing development at the water’s edge did not appreciate people wandering past. I thought it a little selfish but I imagine they pay high rates for the view.
I looked at the path along the river bank and debated. I could get back to the river around the estate or retrace my steps. Best foot forward, you know the choice I made. And it resulted in some interesting architecture along the way.
More bridges lay ahead and Palace Green with the People’s Palace, but I dare not walk too much further. The coach departure was imminent. Just time for a look at one more bridge then it was all the way back uphill to my start point.
Glasgow’s graffiti was something else, and I have many more shots to share, but for now I expect you’re ready for a cuppa?
You know I love to walk but I could have wished for better weather. I hope that if you take this walk someday you have sunshine, and the roadworks along the riverside will certainly be completed. There’s so much to see! A Tall Ship and the Science Centre- doesn’t that sound wonderful? Of course, I could have used the hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus which departs from George Square, where we started. There you are- you have an easy option.
Meantime I’m hoping you’ll find some photos of a walk that you can share with me. I’m ready to sit back and admire. Just post a link in my comments, or link a post to me. Any way and any day you want to do it. I’ll always find time for a walk. I hope you enjoyed this one, and many thanks to everyone for sharing.
The shares for this week are below, starting with a stunner from Paula :
http://bopaula.wordpress.com/2014/04/07/the-jewel-of-veneto-for-jo/
http://traveltalesoflife.com/2014/04/07/a-walk-in-london-or-wrestling-at-the-changing-of-the-guards/
http://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2014/04/07/jos-monday-walk-texas-bluebonnets-and-wildflowers/
http://diannegray.wordpress.com/2014/04/08/come-on-were-going-for-a-walk/
http://dadirridreaming.wordpress.com/2014/04/08/jos-monday-walk-our-beach/
WOW what a walk! Wonderful and the bread had me salivating!
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Such a lively city, Kathryn! Hard to believe it took me so long to visit! 🙂
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Reblogged this on mihran Kalaydjian and commented:
Jo’s Monday walk : Along the Clyde
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Wonderful and interesting post. Thank you for sharing your great photos of the amazing city.
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Thank you very much for all the time you’ve spent with me today 🙂
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After seeing these photos ( my pommepal ) Pauline will be wanting me to Glasgow.
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Hi again Jo. I’ve just posted my ‘walking’ post and have linked to you. It’s a walk in Lewes, Sussex. I also linked to Dawn’s A Lingering Look at Windows. Hope that’s ok and hope you enjoy! http://sherrimatthewsblog.com/2014/04/11/a-lingering-look-at-windows-and-a-walk-in-lewes-sussex/
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Hi Sherri 🙂 That’s lovely of you. Thank you so much. Just come home from a ‘girl’s night’ so not at my best but I’m more than happy to come walking with you. Have a wonderful weekend 🙂
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Hi Jo, just catching up after the weekend, which was a good one thanks and hope yours was too! Glad you recovered enough from your ‘girly’ night to join in the walk!! Thanks so much for the opportunity to join in with yours, I enjoyed it very much! 🙂
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I finally found that cake Jo, tucked in with a whole serious of gems! Such an interesting place to visit 🙂
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It’s a long way down to the comments, Suze! So many people stop in to chat along the way. I should have a separate ‘chat room’ or restrict comments, but where would the fun be in that! (and where would I find the time?) Glad you found your whisky slice (but you don’t have to have the naughty butter too!) 🙂
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Can you change settings to show new comments at the top? Sure I’ve seen this somewhere on WP… Best give the butter a miss #pilingonthepounds
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That’s a clever thought, Suze 🙂 I’ll have a look this weekend. Cheers
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Wow Jo! what a lovely walk! I have never been to that part of the world and now I feel that I had a lovely glimpse of Glasgow! Thank you.
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It wasn’t the best of days but it’s an amazing city. Glad you liked it 🙂
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Great walk even in the rain and goodness me but did I see a small part of the Sydney Opera House that has been transported over there…
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That was my first thought, Pauline 🙂
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Thank you for taking me along on that wonderfully atmospheric walk Jo! I enjoyed every minute 🙂
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You’re very welcome, Madhu 🙂 Fantastic city, isn’t it?
Here’s the link http://www.discoverglasgow.org/murals-ingram-st-car-park/4579467044
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It sure is! Thank you for the link.
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That under the bridge image …. just magic, Jo.
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Thanks, Vivi. One of my best, I think 🙂
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Jo, you have just captured the atmosphere of Glasgow in this post – in your images. Such a contradict city .. and so fun and lively – great shots along the Glyde – I stayed always at the Jury’s Inn .. on Jamacia Street … just where you was walking. Thanks for bring me back.
I think I have to turn to Monondo … and look for a revisit. This is my Glasgow. Thank you so much.
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Not Glyde … so sorry, Clyde!
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I glide! 🙂 (occasionally)
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It’s a fantastic city, Vivi. I really need a weekend there sometime. I made it into The Lighthouse but no time for the Art School tour and House for an Art lover closed early too! 🙂
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Thank you for sharing your walk with us. It has been too many years since I have visited Glasgow…it has changed tremendously. I would definitely loved to have had a slice of the whiskey and sultana cake…yum. BTW, your photo is absolutely wonderful. 🙂
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Cities do, Karen, don’t they? There was new architecture going up all over the place, but still lots of the old. Really, an exhilarating mix 🙂 (it could have been just a tiny bit drier?) Thank you so much for joining me.
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Okay, I want to go! The whiskey cake sold me! Just lovely though, all of it~
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I think I might have got the last slice, Cindy! The sweet trolley was loaded though 🙂
Many thanks!
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Great trip and photos Jo – you found a load of things we didn’t – must go back 🙂
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Cheers, Robin. Me too! 🙂
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