Spring in Scotland 1

 May and June in Glasgow had average temperatures in the 50s. But the Brits measure in Centigrade, so 12-15.  

     I am living south of the Clyde, in the Pollokshields area. When I tell a local where I am staying I say I am near the Tramway.  Coincidentally I am only a couple if blocks from the flat that Sue and David lived for a few years, next to the garden allotments when Anna and Lewis were very young.  I ride a bike most of the time.  Within a couple of blocks there is a train stop (East Pollokshields), but you have to carry the bike, baby stroller, suitcases, groceries, up a long flight of stairs.  

  There is a large population of Pakistani all around me, with people in their traditional clothing and shops selling their foodstuffs, like samosas, naan, curries, kebabs.  I can get groceries from corner shops, a small Sainsbury, an Indian/Pakistani big box type warehouse called Strawberry Gardens, a Super Asia with more oriental foods, Zucchini for organic and vegetarian foods, a few bakeries, coffee cafes, a butcher, ice cream shop, wine shop and fast food places.  

   There are also clothing shops, thrift and second hand shops, jewelry stores, mostly for the gold jewelry worn in Asia, a pop up mango stand, restaurants, and bars.  

   A few blocks away are a park with a play ground area. Basketball court fenced in, and open grass and shrubs with picnic tables and room for picnics, and a local library that Allen and Anna bring little Rory to often.  

    Traffic pays attention to cycles and walkers and are not aggressive or angry for the majority of the time.  Rush hour doesn’t slow movement down much.  Lots of people are out walking and cycling at all hours.  Some streets have separate lanes for cyclers, with cement barriers to keep cars from driving or parking there.  In areas where lanes are tight it is ok to bike on the sidewalks so long as cyclers remember pedestrians have the right of way. There are stands to lock bikes up all over and bike sheds where you can rent a spot.  I keep my bike locked to the main hall stair rail in our building and it is fine. Allen keeps his bike hanging under the upper staircase on the far side of the railing outside their flat door but inside the building. My bike, which is actually Anna’s now, is stored in a bike shed near their flat and I park it there whenever I am visiting.  

    They live near Queen’s Park and go walking there most days with the dog and children.  We have gone to the open area stage and small amphitheater to see a concert of choruses and the women’s Wimbledon final on a big screen. They show movies there too in the summer. There are 2 play parks and 2 duck ponds, long windy paths up and over hills and through woodlands.  There are tennis and basketball courts, and exercise equipment.  There is a grassy bowling green that is usually empty where the dog can get off leash and fetch her toy.  Up at the high point is a huge flagpole and views north to central Glasgow.  South of the park is Shawlands. We stayed in a flat there for a month in 2022.  Anna’s parents lived there when she was growing up after they left the flat near where I am now.  

     Victoria Road and Pollakshaws Road run N/S between me and Allen’s family.  They are mostly commercial properties with cafes, bars, chemists, restaurants, thrift stores, dollar store type homegoods, barbers, nail salons, grocery and hardware stores, ice cream shops, bakeries, a Gregg’s fast food (sausage rolls and meat pasties, sandwiches and desserts), and more.  It is not hard to find vegetarian, vegan, health food, and all the usual restaurant offerings.  

Photos are on Instagram slow_travel_retired_americans