Scotland2005: Ye tak the High Road and I'll tak the Low Road

Well here we are back in Glasgow again. The storms have cleared and it's been a sunny day so far and a wonderful train ride back from Oban. Got the laundry done and we checked back into the same hotel and in the same room, as when we left on Monday. Familiarity is good -- especially when one has been on the road for as long as we have. It's why we like Edinburgh so much.

We've just been wandering about Glasgow this afternoon after doing the laundry, enjoying the sunny weather and the shopping strip. We stopped by Glasgow Cathedral, which is the only major church to make it intact through the Scottish reformation in 1560. Parts of it date from the 11th Century, and it contains the tomb of St. Mungo, who died in the 7th Century and is the patron saint for Glasgow. Suffice to say it's a VERY OLD PLACE.

Glasgow is very busy. There are a lot of people on the streets -- young people. It almost makes me feel old -- but the eye candy is something else. Glasgow is home to three major Scottish universities, and as such is full of students -- and all three have downtown campuses right near where we are.

After we left the Youth Hostel's Internet access terminals last night where we sent out our update, we had to return the little blue Ford to the "car hire" agency. Even after three days and several hundred miles, I instinctively went to the left door to drive away, and then correcting myself, went to the right side, sat down, and reached with my right arm to the left side for the seat-belt. It wasn't there, it's on the right side, which your reach for with your left hand! It makes me wonder if Brits are naturally left handed, since the radio dial and the cup-holder for a driver over here are operated or used with the left hand. The gear shift is left handed too. For a "rightie" like me, it must give me a little taste of every day life for "lefties" in a "rightie" world. It was quite frustrating and somewhat difficult and awkward at times.

We had Chinese for dinner -- apparently rice is extra here as all the menu items were noted as "rice not included". It wasn't bad, though no matter where we are, Tony tries to get them to make Kung Pao like his mother does -- and unfortunately no one ever does.

Tony did his usual spectacular job of packing us back up and we left on the 820a train back to Glasgow. It was sunny, clear, and a beautiful sunrise over the Atlantic. The West Highland rail line is one that cries out for a US style scenic train with big windows and dome cars, but alas, we had the usual ScotRail self-powered cars -- nonetheless, the views were grand, and the fall colors vivid and bright.

It's a bit melencholy to think that the trip is winding down and that we'll not be up in the Highlands again for some time. We decided to head back to London tomorrow, and we'll spend the next three nights in London, taking in some shows and maybe a few sights. Tony said he's ready to go home, though truth be told I'm not.

From Glasgow..on our last night in Scotland this trip...

Gary and Tony

Ye tak the high road and I'll tak the low road and I'll be in Scotland afore ye, where me and my true love will ever want to be...

SCOTLAND FOREVER!!!