Old sewing machines

I took a few close up photos of the sewing machines which is part of the shop window display. I am still not sure what the shop is called (not very clever marketing) but they sell fashion (also not sure if it is uni-sex! Once again, branding is not  ery clear...!) 

I think I have one just like this...!

But...I have never heard of this brand before. It does seem that even this particular machine was never used either!!

Sweeping the streets

This was the same street sweeper that I saw earlier in the week on "The Style Mile" sweeping the pedestrian walkway. It looks like something out of a Logo Set/Book!!!

Saturday World Championships Grade 1 bands

We got grand stand seats for the grade 1 band competition. These bands played really really well and they deserve to be in that category.  

While they were playing....we were watching from the stands and...... This is how we looked...

View from my seat to over the Glasgow Green. The ladies and gentlemen from 1 Med band in front of me.

Check out the SA flag! In our pullover ponchos as it is now raining and very cold.  You actually had to put on the plastic poncho to create more heat for yourself.  It was not icy weather, but definitely one of the coldest we experienced the past week.  

Trevor, David Oosthuizen, ... Tania, Thomas, Sonia, Michael Irvin, Ian 

In front to right... Jenny McWilliams, Brad and Sasha (B&S are in the process of immigrating to the UK, he got a job as a Electrical Engineer)

On the way out....a view of the street....

Behind me is the Glasgow Green

Not sure why some photo's were more fuzzy than others. Anyway ...it's the idea that counts!

The flight home

After we arrived on our East Coast train at Kings Cross, we got on to the Picadilly line to the airport. The queue was so long to buy tickets at the ticket counter, but there was a machine where one could buy the tickets and pay by card.  The queue took so long, so I said to Timmy that I am going to try the machine.  If I get it wrong, I will plead ignorance!  But it was easy, I had to pick 1 adult ticket and 1 child ticket and I wanted to go to zone 6 (the last zone!) in goes credit card, out comes 2 little pink cards. We crab our bags and hoofed off again in the direction of Picadilly station.  There was a train waiting and I jumped on but could see that Timmy was hesitant.  I grabbed him onto the train.  But this train (just like the one into King's Cross) takes forever! Turns out, we were slightly on the wrong train.  It did not go all the way to the airport, but stopped 4 stations before. We got off and the next very next train was the one that took us to the airport. We did not even wait 5 minutes!

Into airport, thru check in where the lady said that I must have my name changed as the booking name and the passport is not the same.  For some obscure reason, I am M.Stey-Williams ....!

Thru customs...where they make you take out all your cosmetics and put in into one very small little bag. Somehow, I did not explain this very well to Timmy and they searched his bag. They took away his new deodorant as it was now bigger than 100ml. The customs official fondled Timmy's very thick book...maybe he could not believe his eyes when he saw a very thick novel in real life.  Anyways...walk just 5 steps away into the departure hall and what does one see......? A Boots shop selling the exact same "too big" deodorants.  

Timmy had his eye in some lovely "Tekkies/sneakers" whatever!  He saw a pair and it looked good and it was a £25 cheaper than in "The Style Mile".

The other thing was that one of the other boys bought an iPod touch at the Apple shop. It was £149 and at the airport, the same one was £149!! So much for duty free except to confirm what I also believed....some products are not cheaper in other countries.  Apple sets the price so that it will cost the same all over the world! I will get one at Incredible connection in PE, so if something goes working (in the 12 month warrantee) it can be returned without a hassle!

Onto plane which was parked way way over t h e r e .....!!! We walked a mile to get there. But it was the same A330-200 that took us to London.  The service on the aircraft was so-so.  They also tuned up the heat in the cabin so much that I felt very sick when we landed.  For some reason,  they did not turn down the heat at all! Even the purser said that I do not look well - well....obviously!

Onto have our bags rechecked to PE, upto lounge where I had a snooze in the chair.  By now I was just so tired! Departure PLZ, 10:45 arr..12:30. 

It was good to see my little boy Jono! I really missed him so much!

And then....home sweet home!

End of our Scotland Tour 2014......!

Games on the aeroplane.... (For Jono)

Sunday on our way home

OTimmy and I left the Euro Hostel hotel at around 7:50. I wanted us to take the subway from St. Enoch square to Buchanan Street. But.....subway was closed...!!! So...Timmy and I hoofed it up "the Style Mile" all the way tho Queen street station.

Arriving at the station, I bought our tickets (1 adult and 1 child upto age 15). We sat down to wait for the 09:00 train when I noticed on the board that there were actually a 8:30 train. I said to Timmy that we should take this train - if we have the wrong train, we will just act "foreign" and say that I did not know! But it turned out to be the correct train and we arrived at 9:25, just in time to see the East Coast train pull in. We got into coach 'H' which is unreserved seating.  This is perfect as it is next to the "tuck shop" coach selling....toasties, cakes, chips, sweets and all things yummy. Luckily,  Timmy and  I had breakfast at the hotel, so we weren't hungry, mostly just some things to nibble on!

Along the way......we saw....

Sounds like home....!

A lot of stations have the old but they have modern glass renovation added which makes it look very nice.  Unfortunately, the train travels just too fast to get a nice photo.

Along the way...bridges and houses....!

Poster on window

Seen near the Centre of Piping school.....Lego man poster welcoming all pipers! Brilliant!

Saturday World Championships

Everyone was full of excitement for the World Championships on Saturday.

Kilts were pressed, shirts had been washed (everyone's were clean but only one little drummer's was ironed! Even I am such a pain for a mom!!) socks went thru the Euro Hostel washing machine and they all came out the same size on the other side - amazing!!!!

Drummer ladies/girls long locks were made into sophisticated buns - very impressive!

Emma (DSG), Tanya (1 Med),  Sonia (1 Med) {2 twin sisters} and Emily (DSG)

Then we took the long walk to the Glasgow Greens. This was just down the street! Our hotel was super super convenient, even if it was not 5 *****, the food was very good and the location the best!

Getting ready.....,

Group chat

Away they go....! Vatso Vrystaat....!

They performed really well, however, it did not impress the one judge.  Some of the adults commented on the result, that maybe he forgot to put in his hearing aid that morning!

Dogs, dogs, dogs....

These people are absolutely crazy about dogs. They come in all shapes and sizes.

Very placid standing next to owner and not barking at all at anything or anyone.  How do the owners do it?

This cute little thing reminded me of Tinto!

This is definitely 'Spokie' with long legs. Also an ancient and grey old doggie. 

Churches around our hotel.

Cafe Nero's was around the corner of the hotel. The only place where you got real coffee with nice cakes and eats. It used to be a church. 

The Catholic Church of St. Andrew. 

Reminds one of the Cathedral....!

Waiting/during the parade on Friday

While we waited for our parade to start..... (the whole tour is very much hurry up and wait !!!! By now, you are so used to it !!!!!!) ....I saw all these things ...!

The commonwealth mascot was a little puppet with purple hair standing up! 

These 2 was so spectacular ... The boy walked next to his dad during the parade and also played his drums. Everyone that saw them, just had to smile. But it seems, that is hoe you make future bag pipers and drummers. Make them play with it first and then they will start with the real thing. 

Albany antiques. Who would have thought...? We are from Albany country...!

Older dad with his 14 month old son on his bicycle. We all decided that this was the most cleverest idea for a bicycle we have seen in a long time. The little boy is no 3 of 4 and he has a nephew the same age!  The little one is protected as he is sitting in between the arms of the rider too. So should you fall, the riders arms will protect him even more. The little seat has got car seat straps too, so he is very secure and he can see the world whizzing past. 

Saw this on on the street when I went by bus to the wool shop. So when I saw it, I had to take a photo. 

And the dogs ....

Then we saw this along the route....!

This is the front of a bar. Goodness knows how they got it there and how it stays up!!

And who knew....Brin Brody has rooms in Glasgow..!

The Lord Provost rooms

After we escorted the busses about half way, we were bussed to The Lord Provost Rooms. We could not fit all into the bus and so we decided to walk to the rooms. That is something you do a lot here...walk!

The photos do not do any justice to this magnificent building!

We were treated to a magnificent spread of food, drinks and puddings. All 6 bands were there. 

We were part if the first 2 bands and then another 4 escorted them. We have no idea why we were chosen, but it was a super experience! 

The parade in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Athletes of Glasgow

On Friday, the band 'escorted' the Athletes of Glasgow (Team Glasgow) on their tour from Kelvingrove Art Gallary and Museum) to The Lord Provost chambers in the centre of town. The Lord Provost is like the mayor. But he had THE most spectacular building as his office. It is all marble, white and brown with Gothic arches. 

 

City hall is just as impressive. 

These 2 are brother and sister, but they are just so cute. They posed for photo's and the boy had these glasses on, he thought he was just soooo cool. 

They were part of the Belgium band that was first, then us, then the busses. We only went half way and then other 4 bands took over and lead them all the way to The Lord Provost's rooms. 

With Zak on the right. 

I took a lot of nice ones here. In the competitions, I was always behind or next to them and could not get nice photos of Timmy. Somehow, it felt that I was always on the wrong side! This parade was very good exercise for he World Championships. 

The rest of the band...

Official photo ....they were very good at it by now!!!