Jo’s Monday walk : Along the Clyde

Underneath the arches

Underneath the arches

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!

Gladstone knew a thing or two about debate, too! And stormy weather.

Gladstone knew a thing or two about debate, too!  And stormy weather.

It was peaceful enough

It was peaceful enough

And well supported, despite the weather.

And well supported, despite the weather.

The lion was keeping a watchful eye

The lion was keeping a watchful eye

The locals have a sense of humour too!

While the locals maintained a sense of humour!

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.

But the street life was compelling!

The street life was certainly compelling!

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.

The original tea rooms!

The original tea rooms!

A little butter for energy?

I succumbed to a little slice of whisky and sultana cake

An excuse for a peek at a Rennie Mackintosh building

Got to keep my strength up, and I needed an excuse to see inside

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.

This was just the entry way

Pain on the threshold!

I admired a plaque or two on the walls

But I soon recovered when I saw inside.

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.

Splashing downhill, this building intrigued me.

Splashing downhill, this building surprised me.  It was to let!

And then I was on the river bank

And there I was, at the river bank.

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.

Swimming might be a good idea

Something for  the builders to admire in their lunch hour

Or breathing clouds!

Is she breathing clouds?

But then I had my reward- a first glimpse of the Clyde Arc

But then I had my reward- a first glimpse of the Clyde Arc

A little soggy, but still, rather grand

A little soggy, but still, rather grand

The views beyond, even better!

The views beyond, even better!

Though these were a sad reminder of unhappy lives

But sad memories for some

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.

Kingston Halls- a former library, or functioning still?

Kingston Halls- a former library, or functioning still?

But I was relieved to see the bridge ahead

But I was relieved to see the bridge ahead

And to cross back over it

And to cross back over it

It's a beauty, isn't it?

It’s a beauty, isn’t it?

Looking back along the river

Looking back along the river

Under the railway bridge the reflections were epic!

While under the railway bridge the reflections were epic!

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.

A wistful look at one more bridge

A wistful look at one more bridge

Tiptoeing past the fiery tiger

And a tiptoe past a handsomely fiery tiger

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/

131 comments

  1. What a breathtaking tour of a city I have yet to visit. Your photos are stunning and I was quite out of breath and a more than a little soggy by the end of your post. That whisky and sultana cake looks scrumptious, especially with half a pound of butter melting on top. 🙂

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    1. D’you know, I almost resisted the butter as it sat there in its little tidy pack, Ad. Then I thought, the hell with it 🙂 Thank you! It was a pleasure to play tour guide.

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      1. well I am now on the feed for all your comments and replies with this post – and I find this post is still bringing me smiles – because the butter on the bread struck me too – and so when anotherday2paradise noted that – I laughed – because believe it or not – my husband uses even more – like double that amount! and we tease him at times – but how fun – and yum.

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      2. I don’t follow the feeds, Yvette. I’m still working through the return visits to people who’ve commented, then I start on the ‘likers’ in my Inbox. I’d never sleep if I joined conversations too. Glad it’s bringing you smiles. 🙂

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      3. yeah – well I only follow the comment feeds on “some” – and then only follow for “so” long – because then it gets to a point where I have to finally click “unsubscribe” – take a breath – and go about my way! lol O_o

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  2. Nice to see the auld hame toon through the eyes of another. I’ll be back there tomorrow afternoon until Saturday so get ready for more Glasgow pics next week 😀

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    1. They’re obviously sprucing it up for the Commonwealth Games with all the work by the riverside, but it’s a great city with a bit more ‘attitude’ than Edinburgh (though I love that too). Nice to observe the differences. I must go back for a day or two because I really wanted to visit more of the Rennie Mackintosh houses.
      Send me a link if I miss your post 🙂

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      1. Well, all the modern work by the river was begun years ago as part of a Clyde regeneration programme before the games were awarded but some more run-down areas in the east of the city in particular have been done up with great new facilities and the athletes village. You can click on the widget on my blog to get email notifications if you want. Cheers Jo 😀

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    1. Fabulous, Sue! I last saw the ‘changing’ about 5 years ago and my photos aren’t great. I would blame the wine but it may have been too early in the morning 🙂
      Another wet and dreary one here today but I went for a romp out this afternoon. More soggy shoes!

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      1. I am beginning to think I was extraordinarily fortunate weather wise with my visit to the UK.
        Tough to get good photos while wrestling Jo. 🙂

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  4. Pingback: A Walk in London or Wrestling at the Changing of the Guards | Travel Tales of Life

  7. a terrific walk thanks Jo, glad to see you stopped at the Willow tea Rooms … we did too when we were there … your street views are great, and we did not see the river at all, so I really appreciate that! Loved the street art and interesting new buildings too …

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    1. I saw so much more than this, Christine, but there’s only so much you can put in a post before eyes start to glaze, isn’t there? Got to think of the poor reader. I can go on and on! The Kelvingrove was a sad miss and I wish I had continued to walk that way but I wasn’t sure if I could get down to the river from there. Happy days! 🙂 I think I’ll be going back.

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  8. Well now Jo, I’m drying my feet out and sitting down for a cuppa and have to say I found this walk around Glasgow with you fascinating. Firstly, having just commented on your Spanish post, I had Barcelona on my mind as that is where my middle boy went on a school trip some years ago and has been telling me ever since that I would love it. So, I never imagined that Glasgow would offer up some similarities! We’ve driven through it a couple of times but never stopped. I love the tiger graffiti and the murals. The architecture looks very interesting. Weather wise, just as it was when we were there but then, if we waited for the rain to stop we wouldn’t do anything! Great, atmospheric photos Jo 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Sherri 🙂 As I said on Ayamonte I got quite carried away with posts on Barcelona. The same may well happen here, despite the weather. The murals were the best I’ve ever seen! 🙂

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  10. I’ll be making a note of this one – hope to tag a wedding anniversary weekend in Glasgow to my week in Northumberland this September. Hopefully we’ll get some better weather, but I’ll be packing my waterproofs and umbrella just in case!

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    1. I presume you’ve been to Edinburgh, Lucy? You’re so well-travelled I can’t remember. The two cities are so different. Not a kilt in sight! And yet uncanny similarities 🙂 I really liked Glasgow. Like Porto compared to Lisbon, I suppose. Definitely earthy 🙂

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    1. Thanks for a good idea, Rich. I might slap it on their FB page. They can always delete if they don’t like it. Somebody, somewhere must want to give me a job in tourism? 🙂

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    1. Ha! I wondered? Mine is the first one, I think. I loitered under those bridges for an unseemly amount of time. And now, I really must get dressed. Hope your week is better, Paula 🙂 Thanks again.

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      2. You can! And very beautifully 🙂 It’s absolutely glorious, Paula, and thank you so much for your contribution. (and the blue skies) I love it. It was such a surprise this morning. Yesterday I had to work hard catching up on chores so my post was a little late going up. Very many thanks. It’s a privilege to have you here.

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      3. 🙂 You are welcome 🙂 (just to be safe – you would not want to have your Monday walk associated with for example my visit of a zoo?) *hugs*

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  17. Pingback: The jewel of Veneto for Jo | Lost in Translation

  18. Thanks for that Jo. I am in Edinburgh at the end of the month and hope to get across for a day. If the sun shines, I’ll show you some photos of how it might have been 🙂

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  19. che atmosfera grandiosa hai saputo creare con queste foto!!!!!
    credo di essermi convinta di avere passeggiato con te per le strade di questa bella ed interessantissima città( con la sola differenza che a me non facevano male i piedi ha ha ha)
    sei davvero una grande artista, Jo, i tuoi occhi colgono particolari giusti per spiegare il senso dove guardare meglio
    scusa se sono un po’ in ritardo , ma sai che tanto arrivo!
    un grande abbraccio molto affettuoso

    great atmosphere that you have created with these pictures!!!!!
    I think that I convinced to have strolled along the streets of this beautiful and interesting city (except that I do not hurt your feet ha ha ha)
    you’re really a great artist, Jo, your eyes capture details to explain the direction where to look better
    Sorry if I’m a little late,
    a big hug very affectionate

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    1. You are never too late for me, Ventis, and I so appreciate your mighty efforts in translating for me. You know we English are lazy! 🙂 I’m trying hard to get my Polish head on- just 3 weeks till my visit. Have a lovely week, cara. Hugs!

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