Old city; New friends!

8/15/16

Capturing a selfie as we strolled the streets of Glasgow
on our way to St. George's Square!

   Perhaps, like me, you knew nothing about St. George's Square? Therefore for your benefit (and mine) here's a bit of history that explains the significance of the place.

St. George's Square

George Square is the principal civic square in the city of Glasgow. It is named after King George III (king of Great Britain and Ireland from 1760-1801, and the infamous king who provoked the Boston Tea Party and eventually the American Revolution). The square was laid out in 1781 and is the home today of the Glasgow City Council. It boasts an important collection of statues and monuments, Robert Burns (famous Scottish poet 1759-1796, author of Auld Lang Syne), James Watt (inventor of the Watt steam engine, 1736-1819), and Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832, historical novelist-remember Ivanhoe or Rob Roy?).  

Our new and immediate dear friends.
Sam & Frances

Behind us is the pipers. My cup runneth over!

You know how you meet some people and immediately you feel you have known them all your life. That was Sam & Frances. Warm, friendly, kind, hospitable; genuinely Scottish. My life was enriched beyond my expectations for having been introduced to them by Sarah. Friends forever, now! My true Scottish treasures.

Now, listen to the pipers. Unfortunately, you won't have the benefit of Sam's beautiful Scottish accent enhancing the music with his comments, but you will find a way to enjoy it I'm sure. (I naturally assume that everyone loves bagpipe music as I do, but realistically I know you might not. So for those of you who enjoy the pipers as I do, enjoy!)

   

   

 

If you listen carefully you can faintly hear
my friend Sam narrating the performance.

              

And may I offer a bit of practical advice! Don't ever refer to a Scottish kilt as a skirt. Sam told me that some have lost their lives for this unfortunate slip of the tongue. And I won't tell you why he felt the need to give me such advice!!!!!

Glasgow, Pipers, Bus tour

8/13/14

Sarah, Roscoe, & Stuart

   After an almost full Scottish breakfast (you remember: eggs, Canadian bacon, beans, a tomato, but without the blood pudding this time), our son and his family was brought over by Marcos, their host. Kate, his wife, joined us later. At first we talked about heading into Glasgow for a bus tour but the idea seemed too strenuous for the younger Lanes so they opted to return to Kate & Marcos's home for some rest and relaxation. Totally understandable (after all keeping up with a 3 year old and a 6 month old on a trip such as this can be quite draining)!

Sarah boarding the commuter train.

   I wasn't sure, at first, that I wanted to attempt the bus tour so Sarah suggested we meet some friends of hers (Sam and Francis, a couple a bit older than Bob & I) to watch a preview of the International Pipers Competition. Immediately my interest was perked and I was no longer aware that I was tired from traveling down from the highlands. For you see, when we were in Edinburgh, I missed out on hearing the famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which was quite disappointing. But here I was being offered a second chance to hear real live bagpipe music; I was beyond excited.

On the train and we are having fun!

   So the 3 of us (Bob, Sarah, & myself) hopped on the commuter train in Larkhall (another fun thing I hadn't done in years) headed towards Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, to join Sam and Francis. I was giddy with excitement! We got off the commuter train and following Sarah, we made our way to St. George's Square where we would meet up with Sam and Francis to listen and watch the pipers.

In the US we call it a Dollar Store!!

Here it's TK not TJ

Lovely flower arrangements scattered here and there. Bee-u-tiful

   Back home in August, the temps can become quite hot and unpleasant–Oh, but not here in Glasgow. With temps in the high 50's and low 60's, graced by sun and clouds, we were free to stroll, watch, and listen to Scottish accents in abundance (never grew tired of those strong rolling r's). Couldn't describe why the Scottish accent is so captivating, but I could listen to it for days on end! 
   I will continue this blog post next time and will show you a bit of the bagpipe demonstration I saw.