A Parisienne in Glasgow

"Flying is ... like letting your thoughts swoop and flutter"
quote by Lisa Noon

Ain't it a great idea to land on my birthday in a country I like so much !

Sorry, Edinburgh, but I rushed to my destination by bus No. 100, then No. 900 : a late arrival in a city like Glasgow is not frightening for me (ok I read "The Last Godfather" and know about dangers in general .. but personally I only experienced lovely, cheerful and helpful Scottish people). I walked all the way from Buchanan Station to the charming Rennie Macintosh hotel (218 Renfrew street), where I was staying for my short trip.

On Sunday an early rise in order to take a peek at the places not yet spotted ... I walked way down Renfrew Street, to Charing Cross and admired Albany Mansions, Charing Cross mansions both in the architectural style I love.

Then up to Woodside area, crescent/terrace (reminding me of Stirling, with decorated bow windows and ornamental balconies) Lynedoch street/angle a beautiful piece of art (enamelled blue on a pommeled glass up, internal wooden flaps behind transparent glass bottom).

I was told the Trinity House (previously a school of divinity), had been refurbished into offices and cubicle apartments by the architect Charles ???, in the late 80a. Remaining are three huge, original stained glass windows at the rear of the building.

Around Park Circus there are windows with various decorative styles, my favourite being the No 1, with the interlaced leaves. Then all the way thru Kelvin park, along the river Kelvin (at my last visit I had followed the river and admired all the various bridges) to visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum : Hi to Sir Roger, my first glance of a duck-billed platypus (so small he ate Osiris, can't believe this, maybe his poisonous venom helped ..)

In the room where the birds are located a friendly RSPB representative "Rory Crawford", introduced me to how RSPB is arousing the curiosity of children with a quiz, outdoor visit and interactive shows. Very interesting. I was given information to take away for my children.

I loved the modern part of the museum with all the heads hanging from the ceiling, the 2 loud speakers (laughing people versus crying ones) on a kind of barrel organ. There's a spot with a new quiz : "beautiful or ugly": how do you represent ugliness, beauty ?" I smiled because in France a bank is advertising using a similar theme.

I loved a marble sculpture "Femmes de Pecheurs " wifes of fisherman by Pierre Braecke, read with delight all about the "Glasgow boys" : "we were just the boys !"

Then the four artists who spent time in France caught my attention, Fergusson, "Bunty" Cadell, Hunter and Peploe.

I recognized in the work of Margaret Gilmour some of the things I had seen early that day.

I giggled at the imaginative James Anderson and his "Anderson special" car and loved the story of the George Bennie railplane. Christopher Brookmyre had quoted all the Scottish inventors .....in one of his books, some were there! The "Smash Hit" of my visit was the "Craft, Art and Industry" part of the museum, as I am a keen fan of the Secession Group in Vienna and learned that Klimt was inspired by Rennie McIntosh ! what a treat ! I have a question, though : what is the "Glasgow Rose" ? I forgot to ask and I did not find any answer.

In the afternoon after a quick "fish and chips" lunch, I rushed back to Queen Street Station in order to visit a good friend, Paul, who is running the Paul's Halls Studio : www.paulshalls.co.uk in Cumbernauld . Paul is now very much involved in offering many musical services from Rehearsal/Recording Studio to Guitar & Drum tuition with the latest "Education Workshops for 8 - 11 year olds" where pre-teens can learn Song Writing, Rythm, and basic Recording Sound. I found this a great idea, and only regret nothing similar exists at home, my kids would love it :-) I spent a "smashing" afternoon there.

Due to lack of time, I had to shortern my time at the studio, went thru to the East part of Glasgow, loved the amazing "Glasgow Cross". From there I walked back to the hotel, chatted with Peter the concierge, "river" about funny and interesting stories about the East part of the city (my interest regarding the Last Godfather ....). I had a lovely dinner at the "Antipasti" in Sauchiehall Street (yummy seafood, prawns, mussels ... and a cheerfull wine "Montepulciano D'Abruzzo 2005").

The next day, I left for Edinburgh, to visit the Castle, Princes Street Gardens. Amazing Scotland : the garden .... emerging from a volcano ...... So far. As usual, I can never have enough of Scotland, I hope to be able to come back soon - there is much still to see

nota : Glasgow been awarded the 2014 games makes me really happy !

Caro, Caro. February, 2008.