Some days you wake up and the body just says NO… yeah, one of those days! Luckily my pleading message to Kyles to come back at 10.30am instead of 9 to check out was heard. After once again doing life admin to get electricity connected I had the pleasure of going back to sleep!! Too bad my mind had other plans and woke me up half hour later to go explore Glasgow, no point wasting a day in bed, god knows we’ve already had plenty of recovery days… said my head, body still said no.

Being an unapologetic tourist, I had asked the lovely Scottish lass at the distillery what her fave things to do in Glasgow were and had a shortlist for today’s adventures. Given my morning laziness, first stop was a lunch time pie, pint and play at Oran Mor, a theatre in the West End. My lack of brain power meant I didn’t check times or schedules so I rocked up only to find that the pie/pint/okay thingo doesn’t start til Feb, oops. Place was gorgeous nonetheless and made a pretty decent cortado.

Back onto my lists from Trip Advisor and the whiskey lass, based on proximity, ie across the road, I headed to the Botanic Gardens. Correction, I started heading there where the skies opened up and I ducked into Matilda Cafe for another coffee while it passed. The sun shone through and it was back into it – I had a feeling that if I stopped too long at any one place today I’d probs fall asleep in my seat! So tired. No rest for the wicked.

Only a few short steps into the garden and I was mesmerised. Crisp green lawns, gorgeous Horse Chestnut trees (had to research that one!) and beautiful glasshouses shining in the sun. Had a little chuckle to myself that the glasshouses looked like President Snow’s from Hunger Games, and then added another point to my nerd tally. Wandering around I felt like I’d entered the garden of Eden, but hopefully without the wicked snake… I spent about 2 hours just walking the different paths and muttering away to myself about how beautiful it was. Stu the tour guide mentioned that Scotland has a roaming law where you have the right to pitch a tent anywhere and live, hmmmm, maybe a fancy tent with a bathroom and WiFi and I’d be set for life… really was that stunning.

My encounter with a squirrel was hilarious, the little dude was on the path in front of me so I stopped to take some pics and he just hoppity jumped over to me as squirrels do, and stood at my feet. Little dude was looking at me like he was planning something, I think squirrels are like cats, always planning world domination. Anyway, after a 5 minute stare down and threats of running up my leg, little dude got bored of me and wandered off. Yeah I’m with ya mate.

After wandering down hidden paths past pot smoking school kids and stumbling across gorgeous bridges, I wandered past a wooden bench and like in Notting Hill, it had a dedication. Was not ready for what it said! From playing with squirrels to a being big sook, never read something more true.

Ten steps later and I realised there was a whole row of benches with dedications to loved ones, so beautiful. I’d love for someone to remember me this way, a dedication on a bench overlooking the ocean…

Reading the dedications and being a sooky la la, I pulled myself together after a few weird looks from passerby’s and went for a wander outside the gardens, stumbling once again onto the most beautiful street of houses, it was a sign….

So damn beautiful. I could live here, go to uni at hogwarts, live beside the gardens (or in the gardens), hmmm…

Wandering back down Byres Road and I just casually looked down one of the side streets… and saw this – a gorgeous church surrounded by even more beautiful houses and tree lined streets.

Detouring through the area, I was once again the weirdo muttering WOW at every turn, so so beautiful. Hillhead is now my favourite suburb in the world. And the Hilton Hotel in Hillhead, stunning.

Back done Byres Rd, having missed my pie, I needed food in my belly. While I mostly only mention drool worthy meals, this Smoky Chorizo and Chicken soup pot from Pret gets an honourable mention!! So tasty and only £3. Wish cheap arse chain food was this good in AUS. Oh wait, it’s not so cheap once you convert…

With a PM flight to catch, I knew my wonderful trip in Glasgow was coming to an end. Having glimpsed the magnificence of George Square yesterday, it had to be my final destination. Popping out of the subway at Buchanan St, I stopped in my tracks. Seriously, where was this place hiding on Monday? Google Maps has a lot to answer for. As the main shopping strip, it’s lined by old stunning buildings and all the high end shops, I get what you were talking about Stu and I’m sorry for saying I preferred Edinburgh! The street is stunning, I’ve used that word too much but it’s the only word that encapsulates the show stopping beauty. Lucky for me I kept getting lost so traipsed up the street multiple times on my way to the next stop.

And wow. I think that must have been my hundredth wow for the day. George Square is full of more magnificent buildings and monuments, the dedication to soldiers who fell in the Great War was moving. Been an absolute blubberer today!!

Having had an epic adventure in Glasgow and before bidding adieu, I took a moment for a hot chocolate in Costa Coffee, coincidentally wearing my beanie from the Costa’s! I think I’m funny… Katie did too!

Before meeting up with Kyles for our flight, I had a moment to reflect on my time in Glasgow and realise that I had it all wrong. I’m sorry Glasgow, you’re not dodgy, you’re bloody beautiful. I’ll be back.

P.S. Can’t remember where I saw this but brilliant marketing by the British Army!! Spot on for millennials and women. Well played.

Wednesday 16th January 2019.