William Wallace, Loch Lamond and the Inverarnan Drover Pub

The other week we had the chance to spend a lovely day with Stephen and Gillian Frew. They sincerely spoilt us all day, taking us about and than feeding us an AMAZING homemade pizza at their home. We ended the day with loads of more laughs and a good glass of wine. Oh and of course some excellent tea, we are very quickly becoming tea addicts over here.

Our destination was the Drover pub and on the way we stopped in Paisley (for you ladies out there that like the Paisley pattern – this is the home of it). The Paisley Abbey is famous for being the schooling location for ….drum roll please…William Wallace. There are many other interesting points about this Abbey with regards to history dating back into the 1200’s, but it is pretty cool that William Wallace went to school here.

Paisley Abbey

Paisley Abbey Courtyard

Stones that are still being restored to the Abbey.

Flags from the 1300-1500's, there are quite worn and ripped, but you can still clearly see the markings and designs.

Jaw dropping good stained glass.

Grave of King Arthur the III from 1406. Wow.

From there we continued along to Loch Lamond, a beautiful lake near the Highlands. The roads become

quite narrow and windy, there were a few times where we all held our breath as a truck went by. We weren’t sure if the car’s mirror would stay attached or not. (Not sure that holding our breath helped – but we liked to think we were sucking in).

We got a few nice photos, but I will have to try and get one from Stephen, he went running down the side of the road for he had caught glimpse of a view he wanted a photo of…and it was amazing. I will have to try and get my hands on it for you all to see.

Little Watchmen birds on Loch Lamond. (not really watchmen birds, just looks like that is their job)

The Water is beautiful and clear.

A certain handsome man.

Back on the windy roads took us to the Drover Pub, it is also an Inn, but most now stay across the road at a newer building, but 300 years ago, this was your option. The servers still wear kilts, they have loads of whisky to choose from and the pub is still heated by its fireplaces. So cozy! We sat and chatted and laughed for a good bit before heading on back to Glasgow (where he had Gillian’s fabulous pizza). Stephen and Gillian also turned out to be our best source for travel information and tips, between good taste and loads of experience we came away with some great advice of where to go and where to not bother to go.

Of course their is a quaint waterfall behind the pub....

Nothing could have prepared me for the multiple stuffed animals baring their teeth upon entering the pub.

Stephen and Gillian treated us to some snacks and drinks at the pub. I love that when you order tea here, it doesn't just come in a mug with a spoon in it. It comes on a proper tray, with your milk and sugar bowls, a little biscuit and a cute tea cup. Tea always tastes better this way.

Jay loved this beer...we unfortunately an not remember the name of it!

Everyday as we go out and I see the beautiful landscape, ancient architecture and such kind people – I am so thankful that I still have a few months to soak all this culture in. Especially time to see castles!!! We are starting to look for jobs, will hopefully find something that works well for both our schedules, God has been and is so good to us, still pinching myself that we are here.

We finally grabbed curry from the place right next door to us. It is SOOO good (Jay had fish and chips...but from now on will be getting curry). Note the size of the naan bread in comparison to my upper body.

A Wee Bit of Glasgow

Glasgow has redeemed itself to a great extent, we have found out some of its nice bits. We had a very nice day touring around the city and we will have a blog in the next day or so about the 300 year old pub we went to dine in.

Just had to post this, this is literally how someone parked, got out of their car and went in to shop.

Our day in Glasgow started off with a light lunch by the River Clyde (note to self: NEVER offer a seagull a piece of bread – they have the ability to call ALL their relatives), then on over the street to the St. Andrew’s Cathedral and a long leisurely sit in Starbucks.

River Clyde

Lissa at River Clyde.

Lissa giving attitude at River Clyde.

River Clyde Stage area. Our little lunch and where I learnt my lesson to NEVER feed a pigeon.

St. Andrew's Cathedral. No photos of the inside...felt a little too improper to do so.

Eventually we made out way to the West End of Glasgow, took a wander in the shops and came across the coziest little bookshop, they even have a little fireplace to go sit by and peruse your favorite novel. The shopping area – I believe is Hyndland, is nice, clean and quaint. Our original impression with all the litter has improved – there are just a few scuzzy bits.

SO many books!!!

And we found a Piping College!! Aimee Jesso I thought of you!!

The University grounds are very European (cool old buildings and gardens), the Kelvingrove Museum is right near there. We only had 25 minutes in the museum and so we will be going back.

Pretty Park near University with Kelvingrove in the background.

More of the University area.

The Entrance. The Statue stares right at you. Intimidating.

Kelvingrove Museum.

Why do we not paint and sculpt our ceilings like this anymore? Brilliant.

More of the beautiful museum.

Organ! Love it!

And we found a music store! It was tucked away down on the bottom floor of a building (near the Piping College). We almost missed it and we are so glad we didn't! It felt like L&M and they had the BEST acoustic room. The green couch was my fave.

A few moments.....

Jayson's hair. Enough said.

A successful thrift (charity) shop visit:

This is for you Kelly Morgan.

Our Glasgow Flat

Well Hello From Glasgow!!!

(Just have to put this in here right away)
Twenty's Plenty Folks!!! This is by far my most favorite thing about where we live. Instead of speed signs that say max this or min that...it just says "Twenty's Plenty" lol!

We are here! And loving it! Coming from Sweden we were thinking of doing a little more travel through England, but felt to come to Glasgow a little early and we are so glad we did.

Almost there!! A very nice gentleman took this photo for us...can't tell you what he said to us though (he had the most awesome, thick scottish accent).

Preston, England train station. Started in 1838 carrying passengers!

Cute little cafe at Preston train station.

Can you say tired? A bus, a train, a plane, a train, another train....and we are here in Glasgow!!!

Long days of lolly-gagging and resting… sigh…its wonderful. Admittedly it is also difficult ot not feel guilty for not doing anything really productive. I am learning (again) that rest and time with God is many a time – time well spent. … and the furniture can only be re-arranged so many times so I might as well kick up and relax! (I have been cooking...a lot...hence a strict running routine!)

Our first breakfast!

Toblerone Cookies. Note to self, up the running routine (again).

Dinner! (I cook when I have nothing else to do.)

As some of you know we are renting Ken Lyon’s flat, and what a blessing it is! It is our little haven amongst the chaos of settling into another country. His parents have been absolutely blessed towards us. Gordon (Ken’s dad) picked us up from the train station and brought us home to a flat with a clean made bed, fresh towels and enough groceries to get us started. I will not say whether or not I ate Scottish shortbread for breakfast.

Outside our flat, we are on the top floor.

Little church across the street.

Quaint Kitchen.

My favorite chair...as you may have noticed from the pics.

Round the front of our flat we have a few little shops and we can get most of our groceries right there – they are all SO friendly. That is one thing the Scots are good at, hospitality and friendliness…and the accent is a bonus. Oh the accent! Most people are pretty easy to understand, but you get the odd few chatting together and I have more than once thought they were speaking another language, I love it!

Weather: Has been awesome! Only one day that rained all day, we are loving it, we often wake up to the sunshine…though we have been forewarned of the rain to come. “There is never bad weather in Scotland, just bad clothing.” – Billy Connelly. Good thing I brought my wellies…now wellies for Jay… we’ll be sure to post photos.

NOTE: Clear Blue Sky (view from our window)

NOTE: Clear blue sky...again from our window.

Public Transportation: Let’s just say even the locals have a hard time. It changes constantly, seems we are always running to catch something or missed it entirely. We will learn this though!

Why do we not have double deckers in Canada??? They are so much fun, every turn you take it looks like you are going to hit something, than you don't!

Litter: Not gonna lie, there is litter everywhere, sorry Scots, this is one area I have to say nay to. Anytime you are out on the sidewalk it is like playing ‘dodgestep’ with the latest and greatest from the local dogs. Maybe we could start a litter revolution…you already get fined 50 pounds if you get caught spitting your gum on the sidewalk…maybe we can do the same for litter!!!

There is so much to explore, we are going to don our wellies and umbrellas tomorrow (just in case) and head out as tourists tomorrow to look around Glasgow... than hopefully this weekend we cruise on into the countryside for Castles!

Another dramatic Scottish Sky, there are often loads of clouds.

Good Evening! The sun shines in right around dinner time, a Glorious Day!

Tata for now.