Glasgow 11 March

Allan, Billy, Davie C, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Iain, Ian, Johnny, Kenny R, Kenny T, Malcolm, Rex, Robert

The weather forecast was for showers, but we were in good spirits as we assembled at the Counting House for coffee. It was about quarter past ten when we decided to set off and, after a quick debate, it was decided that we would do a ‘bridges’ walk. As we made our way down to the Clyde, we encountered a shower, heavy enough for those with wet weather trousers to put them on. No sooner were they on than the rain eased, then went off, and we were to get it dry and bright for the rest of the day.

Turning right, we headed downstream on the north bank as far as the Squiggly Bridge, which we crossed. Those at the front then rethought their ideas, so we crossed back over the same bridge and continued on the north side as far as the Squinty Bridge aka the Clyde Arc. Having crossed over here, we passed the STV and BBC studios before crossing back over at the Millennium Bridge. We then followed the pathway up to the Clydeside Distillery and then on to The Transport Museum, the Riverside Museum, to give it its Sunday name.
Where to next? Again, we came to some sort of agreement that we would continue walking for another fifteen minutes and then turn back and head for lunch. However, some of the company took so long to go to the toilet in the museum, that by the time they came back out, we just decided to head back.
When we got close to the distillery again, we used the footbridge to cross the Clydeside Expressway and it was when crossing this bridge that we encountered some really strong gusts of wind, the only time today that the wind was an issue. Two minutes later and we were down on the other side and back into the calm. Passing by Yorkhill Fire Station we headed up Haugh Road before emerging on to Sauchiehall Street just opposite Kelvin Way. From here we walked towards Charing Cross and the to our lunch venue, Hengler’s Circus (Wetherspoon’s).
Getting there at about twenty passed twelve meant that we had been on the go for two hours covering nearly five and a half miles, and, as we were there a bit earlier than normal, it was relatively quiet. Kenny T, Gus and Hugh couldn’t wait, so they set off for home, leaving the rest of us to enjoy a nice lunch and a good blether, although some of the guys complained about their beer being a bit cloudy. Many thanks to Iain for buying the first round to celebrate the birth of his granddaughter!
Whilst getting ready to leave, a lady at an adjoining table approached us and asked if we were the Earlyooters. Our fame notoriety knows no bounds! It turned out she was a friend of Jimmy and Elizabeth Johnstone and knew all about us! Small world indeed!
Another excellent day out! Here’s hoping that the weather continues to improve, and that the virus doesn’t impinge too much on our plans over the next weeks/months.