Some day I’ll get to see Glasgow from the observation tower by the science center but that must be after April 1 & when there is little wind as it shuts down when the wind gets too high so I went from walk along the Clyde to begin the day
The lady on the top of the old commerce building looks very much like one on Ellis Island in NYC. Just needs a book!
Remember when wandering old cities, look up! Often you see some fine sculptures and artwork
I took the subway around the city getting off at a stop, walking to the next one and getting on again.
A quick stop at the Hunterian to dry off
Before going to Kelvingrove for the afternoon Organ Concert
I’m not sure but I think these two numbers are Kern & Gershwin
Notice the TV in the lower left where the organist’s footwork is highlighted
Back up Garnett, the only street I’ve yet to climb with a handrail for old gits like myself
A nice old pub a friend of mine used to frequent in his long ago youth
I’s been a couple years since I’ve gotten new glasses and I can tell that the reading section of my variable lenses need updating so into Specsavers I go again. Last time I used them I purchased glasses with a BOGO program in Edinburgh. The glasses take a couple weeks to prepare and the technician was concerned when I said I wouldn’t be in the capital that long. I would be in Scotland though so when they were ready I got an email and responded I was in in Aberdeen. That store was a little surprised when a Yank they had never seen came in asking for his specs but after a bit I was soon fitted with my new pair and posed for a photo they requested to add this yarn to their FaceBook page. I’m not sure where I’ll be when the glasses I purchased are ready but I’ll be back in Glasgow again so I might just wait until I return. The eye exam, a free basic hearing test and 2 pair of glasses cost me about £300/$400 and that plus my flight over will be less than 1 pair in Connecticut, so a pretty good deal!
Mercury on the top of the building is safe but I think the one on the street should be on a higher pedestal judging by the wear signs of people touching him for good luck! At least Greyfriar’s Bobby only gets his wee nose rubbed!
Before Madiba was released from prison after some 27 years Glasgow was one of, if not the first city to offer him the “freedom keys of the city”. There is a building off Buchanan Street. The city changed the name to Nelson Mandela Place in his honor. At the time it housed the South African Consulate so their return address had to include his name. A very Glaswegian move!
Ian Davison’s song
We’d sung about him for years,
And there were speeches everywhere.
But I’ll never forget the cheers,
When Mandela danced in the square.
When Nelson came to Glagow, after all his pain,
Ten thousand people met him, and listened in the rain.
The big umbrellas folded, and many heads were bare.
But every face was shining, when Mandela danced in the square.
We’d sung about him for years,
And there were speeches everywhere.
But I’ll never forget the cheers,
When Mandela danced in the square.
We were just a bit uneasy, when Nelson talked of death,
And when he talked of trouble, there was tension in the air,
But we faced the future smiling, when Mandela danced in the square.
We’d sung about him for years,
And there were speeches everywhere.
But I’ll never forget the cheers,
When Mandela danced in the square.When Nelson came to meet us, we made our feelings clear.
We heard the songs and speeches, and we clapped and stamped and cheered.
We heard of peace, and justice, and the freedom that we share,
But we shook the City Chambers, when Mandela danced in the square.We’d sung about him for years,
And there were speeches everywhere.
But I’ll never forget the cheers,
When Mandela danced in the square.Well, Nelson came to Glasgow, to show us he was free,
The greatest man in Africa, and gave us his decrees,
A giant with a suit and tie, and sober face and hair,
But the welcome seemed to move him and Mandela danced in the square.We’d sung about him for years,
And there were speeches everywhere.
But I’ll never forget the cheers,
When Mandela danced in the square.
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