Catching up

Wow, I need to catch up!

On Monday morning we got up and called the letting agent in Glasgow about the flat we were going to try to secure. We were on our way to the train station to go sign some paperwork when Brandon stopped me and said, “What if we don’t live in Glasgow?” That was a bit of a shock, but one that I was very open to. So we stood there in front of Glasgow Central discussing how we both honestly feel about the city. Glasgow is dirty and rough and rather unfriendly. Even in the piping centre where Brandon was spending lots of time no one really seemed all that interested in talking to him. No one seems to really care all that much about the space around them and there is garbage everywhere. The alleys are gross and smelly, the train stations are disgusting, even the grocery stores are grungy and messy. But more than that, it just doesn’t feel right. I know we’d only been staying downtown and possibly not seeing the very best of the city, but I hadn’t felt comfortable anywhere in the city other than in the cathedral. Can’t live there! On the other hand, in Edinburgh, we both felt good. The other day it just really felt like a much better fit for us. Brandon can play his pipes in the park there and actually be appreciated. There are park spaces and more trees and just a general air of more acceptance.

It had been a week. I think we gave Glasgow a chance and saw what it had to offer. So we decided to follow what our hearts have been telling us.

Glasgow is out and Edinburgh is in. We’re there now in a bed and breakfast that hopefully we’ll only need for a couple of nights. We packed up the backpacks and got on the train this morning. We looked at one flat already today which was not so good but we have three appointments tomorrow. Hopefully one of them is good and we’ll be able to move in right away.

Plus, there are people here we know! Brandon had a pint with Jesse Third this afternoon and he came by the hotel so that he and I could officially meet. He and his wife live on the south end of the city and I can’t wait to meet her too. A friendly face, with a Canadian accent, is a terribly welcome thing.

So. That’s the situation all up to date. In other news, yesterday we went to Stirling. It took about half an hour to get there on the train and when we arrived, we headed off towards the Wallace Monument. After quite the hike through town, we found our way to the bottom of the park. We bought tickets, and hopped on the shuttle to the top of the hill. And then started to climb. Up and up and up – 246 steps all the way to the top! There were galleries with interpretive stuff on three levels so at least there were breaks along the way up. And we learned a whole lot about the life of William Wallace. But up at the top it was so cool. The views were amazing even though the wind was gusting hard enough to almost push us off the edge.

We took the little shuttle van back down the hill and then we took a taxi back into town and up to the castle. This was a really neat castle and there was a whole lot more to see than I thought when we walked in. One building was fixed up like it would’ve been when Mary Queen of Scots and her mother, Mary of Guise, were living there. The grounds were really nice too and there weren’t a lot of people there so it was easy to spend lots of time looking at everything, instead of being pushed around.

When we finished up at the castle we walked into the centre of town and Brandon had a chat with a guy who makes and refurbishes bagpipes. Back to the train and back to Glasgow where we got a quick supper and then started to pack.

Send some good vibes our way please…we need all the help we can get to find a place to live tomorrow!