Glasgow - 30 July

The River Clyde in Glasgow is now well removed from shipping. As the size of ships increased, the Clyde became less and less significant. Now Port Glasgow and Greenock are where all the shipping action is. We docked at the Greenock Ocean Terminal about 30" by train from Glasgow Central. Unfortunately it was Usain Bolt who measured the walk time to the station at 15" - for me it was 30".

Nevertheless, we were on an early train and well readied for our guided walk commencing from City Hall.  Glasgow is joint host, with Berlin, of the European Games commencing this week (Glasgow has cycling and golf among other sports). As a result, a number of areas, including the very impressive City Hall, George Square and Glasgow Green are temporarily closed off for Games activity.

Glasgow' s history stretches back almost 2000 years to the Roman outpost of Cathures. With the advent of chtistianity, St Mungo founded the first settlement in Glasgow in the 6th century, but it wasn't until 1175 that King William made Glasgow an official town. (The story of St Mungo is well worth researching, as are the four miracles that led to his sainthood.) Glasgow now has a population of more than 600,000, and with three universities, about 12% of the population are students.

Glaswegian merchants acquired great wealth by the 18th century - exporting textiles, guns and ammunitions, picking up slaves in Africa and selling everything for sugar, rum and tobacco. The city continued to prosper as a centre of textiles, ship building and coal and steel industries until the decline of those industries led to the decline of the city. Only in recent years has Glasgow re-energised, to a significant degree due to the 2014 Commonwealth Games. It has some beautiful buildings, but the nature of the local stone gives it a gloomy feel and appearance.
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It has been dry and hot for some weeks, but today the forecast was cool with prospective rain. In the event, too many layers and too few hats, because it turned out to be very pleasant with lots of sun.

We walked to the Strathclyde University, the Cathedral, the Necropolis, the People's Palace and Winter Gardens, the Victorian era Doulton Fountain (the world's largest terra cotta fountain), along the riverfront side of the big Glasgow Green parkland, past elegant merchant houses from the 17th century and many of the large (approved) city murals. Once again, by early afternoon the city was busy.  Some shop time for Pat and a pint of guinness for me before heading back to Greenock and the "15" walk to the ship.

Another most enjoyable dinner.  The Showroom featured a mind reader tonight (Marc Paul from the British Mind Games tv show) - standing ovation and I am now questioning whether I can remain a sceptic!!!