Brit GTG Glasgow 2011/ 2012

[Big Sarge]

I'm confused???? Are you going on a trip for the holidays or something??? Will you miss Christmas with your parents?

[limey]

Oh Sarge! DanaC and Sundae and I are off to the pantomime in Glasgow tomorrow. For Sundae this means an overnight coach trip from London, DanaC is getting a train tomorrow, and I am getting the 11.05 ferry from my little island - due to arrive in Glasgow Central around 1.30pm ...

[limey]

Cellar grrrrllzzz checking in from the Alamo guesthouse. Just about to go out for a teriyaki meal before the Panto!

[Big Sarge]

Please post some pics!!!

[Sundae]

Okay.
This is the start of my write-up of my trip to Glasgow and Arran, December 2011.
I will say at the very beginning that I do not have many photos. And those I do have are mainly of myself. Sorry.

There are reasons for this, and I will explain myself as I work my way through.

Just - be aware.
This is a wordy thread now, not a picture thread.

I left home in time to catch the 20.05 train from Aylesbury to London on Sunday night.
I dithered and stressed about what coverings to take and ended up with my cloak and a big fluffy sweater of my father's. Big fluffy sweater took up 2/3 of my little wheeley suitcase. Grrr.

Here I am at the station - there far too early of course - whiling away the time by taking photos of myself and the meagre departure information (trains only go one way from here).

[Sundae]

The journey to Victoria was uneventful.
I know the walk between the station and the coach station very well now too.

There was some jiggery pokery as I tried to work out if I was waiting in the right bay without having to leave my seat (and therefore my place in the queue) but it turns out it wasn't an issue.

I got the Megabus Sleeper service from London to Glasgow.
Paid in advance on the internet, this offers low fares to travel on a bendy-coach overnight. The difference from usual coach services is that there are sets of bunks in the middle section - top, middle, bottom repeated 12 times. Each bunk has a number, and this corrresponds to the 36 seats. As you board you are given your number. So it doesn't matter where you are in the queue as they have already been allocated. Still nice to be first (I was) if you have been waiting 2 hours (I had) as it means you get to put your things on the overhead shelf and take your cloak and boots off before being squished against the window by your seat partner.

I was given bunk 18.
I wish I had been able to take photos, but the bus has a fast turn-around and I didn't dare hold up those behind me who wanted to find their bunks & seats ASAP.
Mine was a bottom bunk. The advice for getting into it is get on your hands and knees, facing the pillow and simply roll in.
There is room to turn over, even for a lady of ample proportions, but no more clearance than that. My elbow brushed the top of the compartment when I turned.

We were advised to be seated first, then as the coach started we were offered tea, coffee, water, juice and biscuits, mince pies or tablet. No idea what tablet is. Limey can explain.

Then given a safety talk and advice on how to access each level of bunk. The chap suggested we removed all but essential clothing as the duvet in the bunk is high tog and it can get very hot in there. No heating was supplied to the seated area during the journey and again he warned it would be very cold there.

I rolled into my bunk and fell asleep almost instantly. I had doubled the large duvet over, so I was sleeping on half with the other half over me as a cover. As the night went on I did need more and more cover - anything sticking out felt chilly. It was comfortable and felt very snug.

I awoke properly at about 05.30 and didn't think I could sleep much more, so I got up and sat on my seat, reading. Despite the bunks having an adjustable light there is really not enough headroom to read.

Being already up gave me a chance to clean my teeth and my face before everyone else crowded the single bathroom after the wake up call at about 07.15.

It was far better than a normal overnight coach journey.
Again, sorry for no pics - everything was rush rush rush and I had to be considerate of other people.
I did previous post an article and a short video clip if you are interested.

[Sundae]

Glasgow was dark and it was raining.
I made my way to the Wetherspoons on Argyle Street (very close to one of the station exits) to find this time it was open - last year the opening times on the internet were wrong and I had to kill time in McDonalds instead.

This was a bonus as I could relax, spread out with the newspaper and have a reasonably priced breakfast. With the added plus that I could also have a beer a bit later as I had ordered food.
It's far easier to hang about in a Wetherspoons (a chain of pubs with large square footage) than it is in a fast food outlet.

So I had the Traditional Breakfast.
Fried egg, bacon, sausage, hash brown and beans. I was then offered a choice of grilled tomato, mushroom or black pudding. I declined all three - without being offered an alternative - but it arrived with a tomato anyway. Which I left. The rest was yummy though, except that the egg yolk was very very pale and thin-looking. Hope I don't get bird flu.

I did treat myself to a beer - to my topsy-turvey body clock it seriously felt like lunchtime.
Just the one though, and only Fosters.
I didn't take photos because I took them last year in the same establishment.

I eked out a cup of tea until after 10.00, at which point I knew breakfast would be finished at the B&B and they would check me in, even if I couldn't access the room.
Turns out they had no guests on Sunday night (an exceptional circumstance for them) so I could have pitched up at any time. Still, best to be courteous.

We had booked the triple room we had last year, but when I arrived I was offered a choice. Triple room as booked, or a triple room with another double for the same price. They were together in their own separate "wing" and B&B owner Steve thought we might prefer them. Non nom nom I bit off his hand. Metaphorically.

Of course I snagged the solo room, but everyone benefitted as none of us had to share a bed, we had two bathrooms between us and the other ladies didn't get to hear me snore. Or pump.

Limes got in at about 13.30 I think. Dani was due at 14.00. I suggested they met up and shared a taxi (as I showered and luxuriated in having a room to myself).
They pitched up about 3 hours later (exaggeration), but that's okay as I was having a lovely kip.

Welcome, welcome!
Time to open presents and prizes and have a good old chinwag!
Limey brought the wine, I supplied the cocks and Dani had fistfuls of cash.
Watch out Glasgow. The Cellar girls are in town.

[Sundae]

I've posted photos of our combined haul in the Secret Santa thread, but I might as well include them here as there are precious few other pics!

Dani and I were gifted American food stuffs. Limey had brought some of the snacks she received from Sheldon. She handed over her hand-knitted (beautiful) gifts and I gave the ladies their hand-picked cocks. Limey's was made in the UUSR, given her time spent there and present translation work. Dani's is made of UK coal, coming as she does from the mining part of England.

And the cash?
Big Sarge sent me some spending money for the trip. A complete surprise. He asked me ages back if he could contribute, but I declined - it not being an emergency or anything I could really justify as essential. So he sent it through Dani instead, correctly understanding that I would not be offended or embarrassed but would instead use it on the trip for things I would not have able to afford otherwise.

I would like to say here that I had two other PMs from people asking if I was able to make the trip, given I have had to make some unexpected payments (DSS and glasses). I thanked those people at the time and do again. I didn't take you up on your offers but I feel treasured that you thought of me.

[Sundae]

Oh, we swapped about a bit gift-wise.
I had the peanut butter and I swapped it for the Turkey Jerky.
I shared this with Limey and Mr Limey and they were so impressed they bought the company!

Well, no.
But they are looking for a source so a local shop will buy it in for them.

No-one's getting their hands on my Cherry Pop-Tarts though!

[Sundae]

So, we are all reunited now.
And can I say what a thrill it is.
Not being sarcastic, I have been looking forward to this for so long and for so many different reasons.
But it took me by surprise what a lift I got when I heard the girls upstairs checking in (I'd propped my door open, as ours were the only two rooms on that staircase).

Now we opened Limey's wine, sat and chatted and caught up on all our lives.
Then I sat and put on some slap, Dani made some subtle adjustments from day to night appearance and Limey understood she was beautiful just as she was so stayed that way.

And we were ready to go. Off to Sapporo Teppanyaki!
Limey was a little put out that I didn't have the address - I had simply put my faith in Glasgow cab drivers. I think we went by a direct route, but even if we'd given the street name he could have foxed us if he wished. Past the main square with lights and booths and a large wheel and all that and everything.

Restaurant ahoy!
This is where I need Dani & Limey's camera-phone input.

[Sundae]

When we arrived the restaurant was empty.
I don't mean a few couples in secluded corners. I mean E.M.P.T.Y.Great start. I love a party with a happy atmosphere.

Next, we are given Christmas set menus.
Okay, fine. Four courses for £35. WHAAAA?!
I booked on the understanding that we would have the Early Bird Special - three courses for £14.95!
We had to eat early because we were going to the panto, and it seemed an excellent deal to fit in with our needs. Instead we're going to be charged £20 more for food we probably won't want. In an empty barn of a place.

We had the a la carte menu, but ordering separately can never work out as cheap as a set menu.
Dana, being both kind and practical starts looking into how we can share dishes.

At this point I realise I have left my camera at the hotel.
My camera. The thing I like to take everywhere, but only really comes into its own WHEN I GO OUT WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

My special night is going down the toilet.
I had to make a conscious decision not to start hating everyone and everthing. I was in Glasgow. I was with Dana and Limey. I was going to see JB no matter what happened. Life was good, it was fine, I'd have to be a spoiled bitch to sulk.

At this point the Manager sent our waitress over to offer us the Early Bird Special after all.
She saw how far in advance we'd booked and so decided to honour the deal, especially as no-one was around to witness it
We still got the festive place-mats and napkins and Christmas Crackers too!

We ordered starters - two Nigiri Sushi and one Spare Ribs (me)
My starter was HUGE. Dani had to help me. I offered some to Limey but I think she declined.
There are photos. On camera phones. Hint hint.

[Sundae]

Now, our starters had arrived the same way they would in any restaurant.
I was disappointed but trying not to show it. It was my idea to come here and so far, although the food was good - it was a bit of a disaster.

I assumed because we were the only three people there, and on an illicit menu anyway, all our food would be prepared in the kitchen.
Hardly the spectacle I had planned.
I kept a brave face (I hope) because neither of the others had been expecting a show - although Limes had had one at a business dinner years ago.

Oh, about this time we had cocktails. Tokyo Iced Tea. Limey, ever the pragmatist pointed out there was no iced tea in it. Thank goodness. The Nipponese version is Vodka, Gin, Rum, Cointreau, Tequila, Midori melon liqueur and lemonade.

Now came the saviour of the night - Big. That was what was on his name tag anyway. He was big too - height wise. Especially as he was from Thailand.

Despite my fears he came to cook our mains in front of us, with all the tricks and treats the Teppanyaki cooking tradition provides.

I will halt now in the genuine hope of some photos.
More words from me afterwards.

[glatt]

Excellent so far. I look forward to pictures.

Bunks on a bus sounds like a nice way to travel. Even better than flying. We have Megabus here, but I don't think they offer bunks.

I'm glad that you got your Early Bird special after all. How was the show?

[DanaC]

Y'know, it's funny. I didn't even get that northern connection with the coal. 'Cause, we always had a little lump of coal tucked onto the door lintel at New Year for good luck.

[infinite monkey]

I was thinking "Hey, aren't The Girls From Across the Pond getting together and WHERE are the stories and pictures?

I want to meet Big. And I want to try the Tokyo Iced Tea. Sounds scrumptious.