John & Anne Wiley

Scotland has been a lifelong interest for me, so it’s no surprise that Glasgow made a strong positive impression when we finally got there in 2003. What’s surprising is that this 2018 UK/EU trip had only a couple of hours there! Even so, the beautiful train ride from Edinburgh enhanced the anticipation of our arrival.

07932 Rural Scotland

Even as skies darkened and rain showers increased, fascinations were abundant.

07918 Distant Castle

Far away in time and space, castles in various states of ruin and restoration garnished the green around villages, towns, and small cities like Linlithgow. But soon we emerged from the Glasgow station feasting eyes (and cameras) on a transforming city.

133639 Up Into Glasgow

The station is below street level, with covered escalators including a set near an old clock tower.

7951 Turning Back

We walked back beyond the distant escalator arch (left side of pic) to check it out again, since we’d heard in ’03 the then empty upper level was to be refurbished.

7959 Short Tower

Sure enough, what had in the last millennium been atop the station was now a quirky cool two-story cafe. Even with all the new and refurbished buildings since our last visit, we saw construction and restoration in process everywhere in the city core. We walked a few blocks along River Clyde and enjoyed a mini “Brooklyn Bridge.” Perhaps a former carriage connection, it’s now a slightly wobbly pedestrian bridge.

140050 New Tags, Old Bridge

With so much care going into this beautiful city, ugly graffiti tags here and there stand out. Back in the core, most of the crowd still seems to be locals strolling the mix of ancient, deco, and new architecture.

7954 People & Place

There are also both new and old indoor shopping arcades, and being tourists we found the old more interesting.

7956 Old Arcade Entrance

Just a decade and a half since our longer visit here, we could barely recognize it.

7987 Old Buildings, New Faces

With so many buildings obviously old or even ancient, our lack of recognition clearly reflects a need for more time here. But alas, we were already headed back to the station for our turn to the South.

7997 Approaching Train

Along with the many “People Make Glasgow” banners, we saw quite a few admonishing us to “Think Before You Step Out.” Probably related to foreign visitors used to traffic on the “wrong” side, it could also apply to visitors about to step out of this beautiful city after only a glance. I wish we could’ve at least kept exploring until our train, but waiting in the covered station did give us some time for lunch and people watching.

7999 Sheltered Station

In a cold Winter blizzard this must be a welcome shelter for people, pigeons and all living things. This former street level is also preserved as a repurposed arcade where locals, other Scots, and tourists gather in this global city spanning rugged, refined, ancient and contemporary.

As we left Bruges, we could feel London calling as we hopped a train to rejoin our friends there. We’d decided on the fast “chunnel” train from Brussels, and got there early for extra margin. Lucky, because we couldn’t find it! After fruitlessly asking several train people and others in the massive terminal, mixed with speed walking up and down scanning all directional signs, I got a lucky break.

6621 See It?

Outside the arrival terminal, scanning to the right far beyond the crowded attached indoor mall I got curious about a barely visible up-right arrow next to a blue and white train sign. Putting the camera on 600mm max zoom and enlarging that on the screen I could just read the lettering on that little square black sign: “Eurostar Channel Tunnel.” We started running. We were the last people to board that train.

Among the many things I like about train rides is seeing the industrial “underbelly” along the way, especially at switching yards and terminals.

175532 Off Track

This train moves at a clip, and I liked how an old leather suitcase looks in this setting.

184717 Old & Fast

Soon we were rumbling into London amid commuters immersed in various media.

094321 Silence In A Loud Tube

We checked into a “Hub” hotel, where the focus is bed. This upper floor room had a modest rooftop view. Premier Inn’s chain had the most comfortable beds of anyplace we stayed on this trip, and the rates were relatively low – especially at their Hub properties. The “price” we paid, is there not being much else in the room (note the “sleeper car” nook and drawer under the bed for getting luggage out from under foot).

091710 Hub. Bed. Period.

We woke early after a good sleep to grab breakfast and a double decker to meet up with our friends.

092957 New Fleet

Having only been in London once many years ago, I was impressed by the new bus fleet’s comfort and safety. After a fun look from that top-front seat at parts of London new to us, we reached the V&A. Victoria & Albert Museum, that is. This is one of the few fabulous London museums and attractions we planned to visit, that we actually did.

135439 V&A

I’m sparing you my fav pix from the bus ride and inside the museum, other than this one in the inner courtyard.

102942 Apple Of Eye

After an interesting and wonderful time with our friends from Santa Barbara and Germany, we headed out atop another double decker to explore more of London on our own. Like our other transportation, the bus ride to our next destination complemented the delights of arriving there.

6634 Journey & Destination

There are some really grand parks in the world, and London has a good share. We savored this stroll among the mossed knobby legs of stately trees, relaxing in the calm sheltered light.

6660 Here & There

In this moment we could almost forget our destination and join those resting quietly on the grass and benches. But at the end of this walkway is Buckingham Palace.

6685 Buckingham Palace

The guards are trained and equipped to take on any challenge, yet kindly smile for every tourist who trains a camera their way. The one on the left smiled first, the second is about to wave with a “Don’t mess with this” grin, and on the right I see “Undecided.”

6678 Gate Guards

Behind us across the square, people were enjoying the sculptures (and benches).

6680 Palace Courtyard Sculptures

At the left side of that pic, I zoomed in to capture this delightful moment.

6684 Timeless Youth

Soon we were back on the move, this time walking toward another palace. On the way we paused to take in the Italian Gardens.

161553 Hyde Park Paradise

This peaceful, re-creating people place is also heaven for ducks.

161822 Delighted Duck

Prince Albert’s landscape design provides an easy escape from bustling London.

161930 Flowerbed Barrier

Back on the path to Kensington Palace we got a call from Dave inviting us to join their foursome for Cream Tea he was generously providing at the Wolseley. Now hustling to get there we paused at this small park awaiting a bus. The man quietly reading in repose provided my eye a contrast with the dynamic sculpture he’s ignoring.

6703 Predator, Prey, Reader