A very small section of a huge mural of Scottish nature.

 

Hard to believe we are already on day five of our musical holiday.

This being our day off, we were looking for things to do. Perhaps rent a car and head up to the highlands.

As it turns out, none of our original ideas looked promising due to weather that blew in. Perhaps what was left from the storm we thought we left behind at home. Storm Isha as it’s known here came with an amber warning issued for the whole of Scotland. The highlands would probably be considered “unnecessary driving” that’s not recommended with snow and ice. If it warmed up today, it went unnoticed as the wind-driven rain felt like icy pebbles on our bare faces. We decided to just hang out in the city, eat out for breakfast, and walk up to Glasgow Cathedral.

Our morning, after considering all the options, finally got under way at about 11. We made our way a place that I had mapped as all-day breakfast with vegan options called the Rose & Grants Cafe. It was located to the southeast, about a 15 min walk towards the Trongate area, if you happen to have a map of Glasgow handy.

Lucky for me, it was also in area where I could pick up some more murals to add to my photo collection.

By the time we got to the Rose & Grants Cafe the wind gusts and rain had picked up. While we did try to dodge the rain where we could, walking under building overhangs and scaffolding, we were pretty much soaking wet when we arrived at their door.

We got ourselves a hardy breakfast. Paul had French toast, complete with banana slices, and a side of veggie bacon. I got poached eggs on avocado toast.  To round it all off, we each had a comforting large hot cocoa.  It seems wherever we go, they always slice bread in very generous slabs, Texas toast style. The veggie bacon has been different in each place. Not in a bad way by any means, just different. I like it a lot. Very tasty.

While eating breakfast, I reminded Paul that we have rain pants to try out to at least keep our pants dry. At some point, I am sure we’ll remember to put them on.

We headed back out into the elements, winding our way toward the cathedral, snapping photos of the murals along the way.

By the time we got to the church, we were very wet again and the wind was on occasion gusting to pull our hoods off our heads.  

The cathedral is pretty darn old and notably survived the Protestant reformation which ruined many fine churches back its day. We got a snapshot of an artist interpretation of what the cathedral originally looked like in 1306 for your viewing pleasure.

St. Mungo is the founder of the church here in Glasgow, he has some kind of miracles attributed to him.  I don’t know his story, but it seems to involve a fish and a ring, a tree with a bird in it, and a bell. 

 

 

The symbols being memorialized in a number of places in and around the church.

 

After spending some time inside the cathedral, admiring the glass windows, St. Mungo’s tomb, stonework, various fancy memorials, and sheltering from the rain and howling wind, it was time to leave before the church folks thought we were going to take up residence there.  We headed back to change into warm dry clothing, collecting a few more murals along the way.  

Knight’s memorial

Back at our apartel, we got ourselves some tea and dry clothing.  I started this very post you are now reading and Paul started combing the web for ideas where we might find music later on this evening. We were having no luck there, could be because it was Sunday or maybe it was the wind and rain keeping the sane people in.  We turned our sights to looking for a location for dinner and finally settled on Halloumi, a Greek restaurant just a few blocks up the street.

So into the elements we went, this time in all the winter gear, rain pants and enough layers to keep us safe from whatever elements Mother Nature wanted to send our way.  This proved to be a bit unnecessary, as the gusts and rain had lightened up along with the temperature.  We found our lovely little restaurant, its windows all dressed up in tiny lights was a welcoming sight in the darkness of the street.  It being a Greek tapas restaurant, we were given our menus and encouraged to each order three items across the menu’s different sections and, of course, sharing was expected. Food was fantastic, everything was delicious.  I got a Koppaberg Pear cider, I don’t think I have ever had a nicer tasting brand. Dessert was an outstanding galakoboureka. Bellies full, we headed back into the wind, to post Saturday’s post.

Paul had not given up on the idea of getting us to hear some live music, so sometime after 11 we headed out the door again.  This time sans the rain pants.  Suffice to say, after walking some ways around the city scouting out the pubs that were still open, we could find no music. At one place, we just arrived as the musicians were heading out. The wind still blowing so much that at some points it was hard for me to move forward. We looked like bedraggled cats after a long roam outside.  We encountered a few hardy drunk souls still merrymaking along their way through George Square. We ducked into The Counting House, our large corner bar, for a warming night cap, possibly a hot cocoa and whiskey, only to discover that first last call and final last call had already been made.

All in all our evening night ramble was (wait for it)… a wash out.

Tomorrow, Monday, our scheduled musical evenings start again with the Bothy Band.  I can not wait!

City wall art of St. Mungo not far from his cathedral.