retiredmartin

July (finally) 2025. Glasgow.

We leave June with Dad celebrating his 90th in some style,

and the next morning I’m at Sheffield station catching the TransPennine to Glasgow.

£65.90 return, old folk advance rate, that’s not bad. And in fairness all the trains were on time with actual seats that hadn’t been taken. The Avanti West Coast was actually pleasant, till you had to change in Warrington. Such a shame about the passengers, fuss, fuss, fuss. Take less luggage and sit down.

“I have a reservation for that seat but I want to sit there with my friends so will you kindly move ?“.

“Kindly, no”. (not me, by the way).

My first foray into Scotland since Rousay; you remember Rousay ? Somehow Greater Glasgow had found half a dozen new entries since I was last there for a memorable 57th birthday with Duncan,

and I hadn’t been in the city itself since COVID. Who remembers the Scotia ?

Nothing brand new in the centre,

my six ticks take me to the suburbs, once I’d managed to buy a “Roundabout” ticket, one of the more painful experiences of my life and confirmation that humans should be replaced with AI immediately. Oh, they have.

I start with a return to Jordanhill. I quite fancy myself as a southern expert on Glaswegian commuter towns and their heritage play equipment.

Perhaps I’ll visit all the local rail stations, and try to tell them apart. This is Hyndland, best stop for the Gartnavel General, and home to solidity, and a man who booms “Nice day” as I sprint past.

Actually, it’s not a nice day, we’ve gone from Summer to Autumn on the 1st July, but at least I’ve got an Ember Inn to welcome me in Jordanhill.

You think I’m joking, but Ember are OK. The Three Craws won’t have closed because the staff are off at an awards event, they’ll be a cheery welcome, cheery 2000s pop (Zutons “Valerie”) and the Doom Bar will be on or “Coming Soon“.

Actually, it looks like they’re about to hang the Doom Bar.

“What can I’s get for you’s“. It’s all about the intonation.

An Oakham Citra, cool and crisp and chewy, an easy NBSS 3.5, and only £3.40.

A shame there’s no local beer, the other pumps are Birmingham and Gipsy Hill, but at least it’s a change from the ubiquitous Landlord.

I’m the youngest customer, and probably the only one not eating lunch.

Hang on, is that a vertical queue ?

At the station, I increase my Jordanhill knowledge by about 100%,

and head to Partick to meet the most famous local resident.