Scotland Trip Report--Day 8--Fintry to Glasgow

Well, my night in a castle was just great! Slept well but woke up really early, so I just lay in bed thinking about my day until it was time to get up. I had a nice breakfast in the dungeon. I am getting so used to porridge and yogurt every morning, don’t know what I will do if I can’t keep it up while on the tour!
I drove down to Glasgow and returned my car. I did decide that having a car in the city was just silly, so I saved the money by turning it in a day and a half early, and promptly spent half of that money on a taxi into town! (I’ll spend the other half tomorrow getting back to the airport to meet my tour group)
My hotel was hard to find, so I had to call and ask “where are you?” Turns out we were right outside their door, it just wasn’t marked at all. It was only 11 am, and checkin was at 3, so I was delighted to learn my room was ready. I headed up to my room, dumped the luggage and my coat (it was warm and sunny out), and had a look around. This is QUITE a difference from last night’s lodgings! All very modern, one full wall of windows for the bedroom and living room. It really is more of an apartment than a hotel. It has 2 separate rooms plus a bathroom and entry. The living room has a full kitchen, complete with stove/oven, microwave, dishwasher, and washer/dryer! The furnitures are sort of Danish modern, which I hate, and the walls are stark white with nothing on them. But the place is immaculately clean, well lit, and in a great location, and the price is right, so I will not complain about the décor!
Having obtained a map of the city, I was delighted to see that my hotel was in walking distance of the Underground, as well as some of the things I wanted to see. So I set out to the Underground first, bought a day pass for about $6.50, and headed towards my first destination--the Scotland Street School Museum.
What a cool place! The school was built in 1906, and was in use until 1979. The classrooms held SIXTY students each!! They had rooms set up the way they would have been in Victorian times, during WWII, and in the 50s-60s. It was just fascinating. Lots of information about how the kids had to evacuate to the countryside during the war, too. I can’t even imagine.
When I came out of the museum, it was raining and had turned cold. I took the Underground back to my starting point, and headed to the Willow Tea Room for afternoon tea (today’s lunch). I had to pass the hotel, so I stopped in and grabbed my coat, which was much better. I then walked the 2 blocks to the tearoom. This place is quite famous and was highly recommended, so I put it on my list of things to do. I was not disappointed. The sandwiches were yummy--cucumber, ham, egg mayonnaise (egg salad), and a smoked salmon one (yuck) that I skipped. The scone was outstanding, with cream and jam. I had selected carrot cake for my sweet choice, but the frosting was just toooooo rich, so I only had a couple of bites. The peppermint tea was warm and delicious, very nice in the cold weather.
Following tea, I walked up the road to the Tenement House. This was the thing I most wanted to see in Glasgow. The woman who lived there for over 50 years never threw anything out, so her entire life was documented in minute detail. It gave an intimate look at life in the early to mid 20th century in a tenement. Now, I always though of tenements as slums. But apparently there are different kinds, and this was more of a working-class place. Most assuredly not a slum. There were 4 rooms and a “lobby”--a bedroom, a parlor, a kitchen, and an indoor bathroom! But they had to use a wash-house out in the back for their laundry. The stone steps would have been a trial, especially in wet weather. But 6 people could sleep there, 2 in the bedroom, and 2 each in the kitchen and in a closet-like area that was apparently outlawed at one point due to no circulation of air! It was really interesting and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Next I took the Underground to the other side of town to see the Museum of Transport. This place was cool. It looks at all different sorts of transportation in Glasgow from the l1800s to now. Tram cars, subways, trains, carriages, cars, boats, even a hearse! It was really interesting seeing how people got around years ago. Makes me appreciate my nice cushy Toyota, and the modern plane I flew here in!
After taking the underground back to “my neighborhood” I went in search of an ATM, as funds were getting low. I rarely use cash at home, but here I have been using a lot more. I was delighted to find a Marks and Spencer across the street from the ATM, so I decided to get something there for dinner. That way, I could eat while the laundry was going. So I got a Cottage Pie (like Shepherd’s Pie, but with beef instead of lamb), some lemonade, and a chocolate croissant. I am really impressed with M&S in particular, and with Scotland in general. There is no high fructose corn syrup in anything I’ve seen--it all uses sugar. And no trans fats either! Makes it so nice for me, since I don’t eat those things. I also got some stuff for breakfast so I won’t have to eat out--yogurt, fresh squeezed OJ, and another chocolate croissant. On the way back, I noticed a long line of teenagers that wound around the block. I have NO idea what they were lined up for, but apparently Glasgow has its own version of Slut Night, becuase the way these girls were dressed was obscene! One girl looked to be wearing no more than a bikini top and a tutu!!
Back at the hotel, I put in a load of wash, which at this time has taken nearly 2 hours and is not finished! I will be doing laundry all night!! I cooked my dinner, a nice change from going out to eat all the time, and just relaxed, checking email, watching TV, and finding info on a city sightseeing tour for tomorrow. Since I saw all the places I wanted to see today, I have free time tomorrow until about 1 pm, when I have to head out to the airport to meet my tour.
I wonder if this wash cycle will EVER end????