Daredevils (for Philippe Petit)
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Scotland, the Last
I had a couple of days on my own as my wife and her sister spent the days together shopping. Friday was the walk around the west end. Tuesday, the final day we had in Glasgow, had me taking a walk, in the rain, towards the east end.
It was a very pleasant walk. There'd be a sheet of rain, that would stop, start up again, then the sun would try to make an appearance. Unlike Friday, it did not.
Glasgow Green is the oldest public space in Glasgow. It's a lovely park that has the People's Palace, a neat little museum that depicts the history of the city.
In front of the museum is the Doulton Fountain, the largest terracotta fountain in the world. It's very impressive.
The Anderson Shed was used as a bomb shelter during World War Two. Glasgow and the surrounding areas, including Clydebank, were heavily bombed due to their shipbuilding capabilities.
Perish the thought!
I did manage to drink several fine whiskies during my stay, and was given an old bottle of Glenkinchie from my Father-in-law.
After my tour of the People's Palace I walked a bit on the east end and found the Barras, a part of the city that is filled with character among the small shops and stalls that are only open on weekends. These shops have reputations for selling dodgy, pirated merchandise and I'm guessing things that came out of the back of a lorry. Next time I want to see this place in action.
Met up with my wife and S-I-L at Rogano's, a very classy place that has been around since the mid thirties. It's art deco style is based on the Queen Mary, and the food is top class.
I'll be eating at the bar next time.
It was a short walk from here to The Lighthouse, a school of architecture and design. It contains a very cool spiral staircase.
It was designed by Charles Rennie McIntosh and was a part of the Glasgow Herald's offices.
Before climbing the staircase, I needed a comfort stop.
The views of downtown are worth the climb. Had to hang on to my hat, it was windy up there.
It's a great city to visit, easy to navigate, and I still have not seen everything I want to, and that includes a soccer match. Still have not seen The Mitchell Library, or taken a distillery tour, or seen a gig. So much to do, and outside of the city is Loch Ness, Millport, Aberdeen, the northern islands and on and on.
It was a long trip home. This will be the last time we take a two connection flight. We got out of Glasgow late, out of Amsterdam late, then missed our connection in Detroit. We got rebooked, that flight was late due to the weather. It's all good and fine, but the extra waiting is very tiring.
Had a wonderful vacation. Now back to the real world.
It was a very pleasant walk. There'd be a sheet of rain, that would stop, start up again, then the sun would try to make an appearance. Unlike Friday, it did not.
Glasgow Green is the oldest public space in Glasgow. It's a lovely park that has the People's Palace, a neat little museum that depicts the history of the city.
In front of the museum is the Doulton Fountain, the largest terracotta fountain in the world. It's very impressive.
The Anderson Shed was used as a bomb shelter during World War Two. Glasgow and the surrounding areas, including Clydebank, were heavily bombed due to their shipbuilding capabilities.
Perish the thought!
I did manage to drink several fine whiskies during my stay, and was given an old bottle of Glenkinchie from my Father-in-law.
After my tour of the People's Palace I walked a bit on the east end and found the Barras, a part of the city that is filled with character among the small shops and stalls that are only open on weekends. These shops have reputations for selling dodgy, pirated merchandise and I'm guessing things that came out of the back of a lorry. Next time I want to see this place in action.
Met up with my wife and S-I-L at Rogano's, a very classy place that has been around since the mid thirties. It's art deco style is based on the Queen Mary, and the food is top class.
I'll be eating at the bar next time.
It was a short walk from here to The Lighthouse, a school of architecture and design. It contains a very cool spiral staircase.
It was designed by Charles Rennie McIntosh and was a part of the Glasgow Herald's offices.
Before climbing the staircase, I needed a comfort stop.
The views of downtown are worth the climb. Had to hang on to my hat, it was windy up there.
It's a great city to visit, easy to navigate, and I still have not seen everything I want to, and that includes a soccer match. Still have not seen The Mitchell Library, or taken a distillery tour, or seen a gig. So much to do, and outside of the city is Loch Ness, Millport, Aberdeen, the northern islands and on and on.
It was a long trip home. This will be the last time we take a two connection flight. We got out of Glasgow late, out of Amsterdam late, then missed our connection in Detroit. We got rebooked, that flight was late due to the weather. It's all good and fine, but the extra waiting is very tiring.
Had a wonderful vacation. Now back to the real world.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Auld Reekie
The only time I was in Edinburgh was in December 2007. The winter sun blinded me as we exited Waverly Station, the wind was persistently cold. The walk toward the castle was an intimidating tourist trap of age, bagpipes blaring out of every shop window and history.
Sunday's visit was different. We took a cab from Waverly to our B&B, got the key from the owner, put our bags on the bed, stopped at a shop for some snacks and went to Arthur's Seat
That was the view from the window of our B&B. I'm just going to post a few pictures here to depict our ascent. We took the hard route, which we probably should not have, but we did not know any better. We did not know about the relatively easy path on the other side, the one we took down!
Some things you have to work for, and the wife and I worked hard for these pictures.
If you look there, you see Emma doing some rock climbing. She did the rock proud!
As you see it's a clear day, it was also a lot warmer than we expected. Going the tougher route really took a lot out of us. But we continued and prevailed.
Em' decided not to make it all the way up, but I continued, only to be rewarded by a Midge attack. As you see, I'm happy, but being swarmed by the beasties, as was everyone else up there.
Em's down there somewhere.
There's the path down, which eventually led us to what is alleged to be The oldest bar in the U.K. The refreshments were well needed, and we beat the crowd.
The image above is of the legendary Heart of Midlothian. That is not my spit.
We were in the city on the last day of the Fringe Festival, and I have to say the service workers in bars and restaurants were more than a bit surly. I get that they wanted it over, but there was one wanker bartender who did not seem to want to sell us the refreshments we wanted. I'll call him a tASShole.
Here, they were nice.
There's something about the city that gives me bad vibes. Sure, there's plenty of history but the citizens have to realize that tourism is giving them work, and not a reason for them to act like douches. Oh, the guy who sold me Buckfast (more about in an upcoming post), he was cool. I was respectful the whole time and nearly had my head handed to me when I made a wrong turn in the B&B and put my head into the owner's private quarters. It was not just bad luck, they're not as friendly a bunch in Edinburgh as they are in the rest of the places I traveled to in the country. I think it's time to go someplace else during our next trip over.
Sunday's visit was different. We took a cab from Waverly to our B&B, got the key from the owner, put our bags on the bed, stopped at a shop for some snacks and went to Arthur's Seat
That was the view from the window of our B&B. I'm just going to post a few pictures here to depict our ascent. We took the hard route, which we probably should not have, but we did not know any better. We did not know about the relatively easy path on the other side, the one we took down!
Some things you have to work for, and the wife and I worked hard for these pictures.
If you look there, you see Emma doing some rock climbing. She did the rock proud!
As you see it's a clear day, it was also a lot warmer than we expected. Going the tougher route really took a lot out of us. But we continued and prevailed.
Em' decided not to make it all the way up, but I continued, only to be rewarded by a Midge attack. As you see, I'm happy, but being swarmed by the beasties, as was everyone else up there.
Em's down there somewhere.
There's the path down, which eventually led us to what is alleged to be The oldest bar in the U.K. The refreshments were well needed, and we beat the crowd.
The image above is of the legendary Heart of Midlothian. That is not my spit.
We were in the city on the last day of the Fringe Festival, and I have to say the service workers in bars and restaurants were more than a bit surly. I get that they wanted it over, but there was one wanker bartender who did not seem to want to sell us the refreshments we wanted. I'll call him a tASShole.
Here, they were nice.
There's something about the city that gives me bad vibes. Sure, there's plenty of history but the citizens have to realize that tourism is giving them work, and not a reason for them to act like douches. Oh, the guy who sold me Buckfast (more about in an upcoming post), he was cool. I was respectful the whole time and nearly had my head handed to me when I made a wrong turn in the B&B and put my head into the owner's private quarters. It was not just bad luck, they're not as friendly a bunch in Edinburgh as they are in the rest of the places I traveled to in the country. I think it's time to go someplace else during our next trip over.
Bards of the Round Platform
The last few days in Scotland were quite busy and I did not have much time to update here. We're back in Columbus safe and sound.
Let's go back a few days and refresh.
Saturday afternoon we headed to Tollcross Park to take part in a monthly poetry reading I found on the internet. Did this on a whim, was not sure if the group was still active, or what to expect.
Took a commuter train there, got to the station just in time to catch the train to Tynedale, which was a short walk and one asking for directions to the park.
While headed up the road there we heard a marching band just down the road. Had no idea what was going on. Was it a rally for the Scotland/Czech Republic match?
Turns down, it was a political march. Take this wikipedia entry with a few grains of salt, but this was the gist of the march.
As we got closer to it I asked Emma if I could take a picture without getting beaten up, "Do it discreetly," She said.
At the end of the parade, I noticed someone taking video of it with an iPhone. Quite the culture shock.
The park itself, is quite lovely.
We got to the place for the reading a bit early and asked the worker at the Winter Gardens where the poetry would be read. He pointed is us in the direction of the Secret Garden.
While waiting here we discovered that Poet's Time exists in Glasgow too. One poet showed up, we introduced ourselves and about a half an hour later the rest of the group showed up.
"You're the American that's looking for the group?" I was asked by Colin, the organizer. I guess word got around at the Winter Gardens.
A small group of poets were sitting in a park in Glasgow on a not too bad Saturday afternoon sharing their work with each other in what I'd say you could call a cypher. Only eight people were there so we read in a round robin fashion. It was great. Funny work, political poems, personal. I got a few asides asking if I could understand the accents. We discussed our disgust for neo-cons and the Chicago School of Economics. The group has been together for about eleven years. Attendance was small this particular day due to a few illnesses and a football match.
It was fantastic. I ended up reading: Pantoum for a Child with Insomnia, Gaythiest, David's Rock, For Daredevils, After Birth and Nobody's Poet. A mini-feature.
I asked Emma to get a picture of me reading, and the group forced me to get up on the platform where people would read if they had a better crowd. So I did.
At the end we exchanged names, emails and I vowed plan my next trip around the first Saturday of the month, when Bards in the Park meet at Tollcross Park.
Our next stop was the Parkhead, we were given a ride to Celtic Park by one of the poets, a very generous and decent man.
After the photo-op we got on the bus and headed into town for a bite to eat before headed back to Lenzie for dinner. I'm glad I finally got a picture of this.
Still recovering from a long trip home yesterday. More to come.
Let's go back a few days and refresh.
Saturday afternoon we headed to Tollcross Park to take part in a monthly poetry reading I found on the internet. Did this on a whim, was not sure if the group was still active, or what to expect.
Took a commuter train there, got to the station just in time to catch the train to Tynedale, which was a short walk and one asking for directions to the park.
While headed up the road there we heard a marching band just down the road. Had no idea what was going on. Was it a rally for the Scotland/Czech Republic match?
Turns down, it was a political march. Take this wikipedia entry with a few grains of salt, but this was the gist of the march.
As we got closer to it I asked Emma if I could take a picture without getting beaten up, "Do it discreetly," She said.
At the end of the parade, I noticed someone taking video of it with an iPhone. Quite the culture shock.
The park itself, is quite lovely.
We got to the place for the reading a bit early and asked the worker at the Winter Gardens where the poetry would be read. He pointed is us in the direction of the Secret Garden.
While waiting here we discovered that Poet's Time exists in Glasgow too. One poet showed up, we introduced ourselves and about a half an hour later the rest of the group showed up.
"You're the American that's looking for the group?" I was asked by Colin, the organizer. I guess word got around at the Winter Gardens.
A small group of poets were sitting in a park in Glasgow on a not too bad Saturday afternoon sharing their work with each other in what I'd say you could call a cypher. Only eight people were there so we read in a round robin fashion. It was great. Funny work, political poems, personal. I got a few asides asking if I could understand the accents. We discussed our disgust for neo-cons and the Chicago School of Economics. The group has been together for about eleven years. Attendance was small this particular day due to a few illnesses and a football match.
It was fantastic. I ended up reading: Pantoum for a Child with Insomnia, Gaythiest, David's Rock, For Daredevils, After Birth and Nobody's Poet. A mini-feature.
I asked Emma to get a picture of me reading, and the group forced me to get up on the platform where people would read if they had a better crowd. So I did.
At the end we exchanged names, emails and I vowed plan my next trip around the first Saturday of the month, when Bards in the Park meet at Tollcross Park.
Our next stop was the Parkhead, we were given a ride to Celtic Park by one of the poets, a very generous and decent man.
After the photo-op we got on the bus and headed into town for a bite to eat before headed back to Lenzie for dinner. I'm glad I finally got a picture of this.
Still recovering from a long trip home yesterday. More to come.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Almost four years later
My wife and her sister shopped the day away so I was left to fend for myself. I'm trying not to return to many places this trip. Wandered past a few places on the West End that I'd been to. The University and Kelvingrove Park took up a wonderful amount of time. This place though, I could not resist returning to.
Simple fish supper. The counter man could not understand that I did not want salt and vinegar on them, just salt, so I got neither. It did not make a difference.
Went down by the Kelvin River, which is next to the place to eat. Walked along the path to find a decent spot, and here it was.
In the shade, watching fisherman, joggers and strollers. Does not get much better.
Been a long day. Met a fellow blogger, had drinks at the Horseshoe and was treated very well by the bartender who, hearing my accent, gave me a couple of samples of their microbrewed beer after I told him to please bring me the #5 single malt on the blackboard because there was no way I could pronounce it. Three pound ten for a half pint of beer and good whisky. Great bar. Tomorrow could be a slower day, but a lot of walking.
Simple fish supper. The counter man could not understand that I did not want salt and vinegar on them, just salt, so I got neither. It did not make a difference.
Went down by the Kelvin River, which is next to the place to eat. Walked along the path to find a decent spot, and here it was.
In the shade, watching fisherman, joggers and strollers. Does not get much better.
Been a long day. Met a fellow blogger, had drinks at the Horseshoe and was treated very well by the bartender who, hearing my accent, gave me a couple of samples of their microbrewed beer after I told him to please bring me the #5 single malt on the blackboard because there was no way I could pronounce it. Three pound ten for a half pint of beer and good whisky. Great bar. Tomorrow could be a slower day, but a lot of walking.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Pictures from a Moving Skoda
You want scenery? Have your Father-in-law drive you though the Scottish Highlands.
He'll tell you all about the abandoned rail lines.
People from all over the world, even America, come to see them. You may even see nuns eating ice cream.
And when you say "Oh Jesus, Look at that!" It's only a few moments later you say the same thing.
You appreciate the natural beauty.
The cows know here, too.
You do not care that charming little towns on a loch are money vacuums.
There is a Loch Awe, and a Loch Fyne. They are that, and more.
The journey is worth the $9 a gallon for diesel.
At the end of an exhausting day, you thank the man who drove you, then follow the sage advice of the Green Wellie.
Tomorrow, the sisters shop, leaving me to explore the Dear Green Place on my own. Subway, buses, appropriate footwear will take me downtown and to places on the west end I want to return to, and see for the first time. Will I be able to find batteries on my own?
He'll tell you all about the abandoned rail lines.
People from all over the world, even America, come to see them. You may even see nuns eating ice cream.
And when you say "Oh Jesus, Look at that!" It's only a few moments later you say the same thing.
You appreciate the natural beauty.
The cows know here, too.
You do not care that charming little towns on a loch are money vacuums.
There is a Loch Awe, and a Loch Fyne. They are that, and more.
The journey is worth the $9 a gallon for diesel.
At the end of an exhausting day, you thank the man who drove you, then follow the sage advice of the Green Wellie.
Tomorrow, the sisters shop, leaving me to explore the Dear Green Place on my own. Subway, buses, appropriate footwear will take me downtown and to places on the west end I want to return to, and see for the first time. Will I be able to find batteries on my own?
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