Clockwork orange
(Waiting for the subway: Glasgow, UK)
This train is what one visiting Canadian friend affectionately termed ‘The Hobbit Train’ in recognition of its stature. Having rarely travelled on the London tube system before living in Glasgow, I took it for granted that the sizes were at all different. Having now compared the Glasgow underground system with any other, it is tiny, both in network and in actual size. The recessed train is hardly taller than me and anyone towering over six foot has to bend their neck slightly on entry. I have seen taller men with their necks tilted like curious birds just so they don’t bang them on the train ceiling. Perhaps in the nineteenth century, people were very much smaller?
Even though it must have the fewest stations of any underground (I think it’s only fifteen), the Glasgow subway is surprisingly useful for getting around town, as long as you need to go somewhere on the circular route. There are no branches or detours, you can either go clockwise or – you guessed it – anticlockwise. The track runs in almost a perfect circle from the west end to the south east side of the river. In fact, it may even be possible to spend an entire day just going round and round central Glasgow and never stopping. I have never had enough free time or inclination to find out.
The snow was falling again on Monday causing a massive amount of people to leave work at lunchtime for fear of being stuck. Today, though, it has blossomed into another stunningly blue skied day, many of which we have enjoyed during this inclement, but beautiful weather. If it isn’t snowing, it is sunny. I overheard a lady on the train saying ”I wouldn’t mind the snow staying for three months if all the days were like this”. I could almost agree with her if it wasn’t that so many people struggle with it. Today I must take my Gran more supplies as she dare not venture out onto the icy streets. She has been trapped indoors practically entirely since the last weekend in November so it is heading towards two weeks now. No buses are running in that direction, so I must take a local train (if those are running) and then walk through unchartered ground towards her home. Wellies: check, hat: check, mits: check, food parcel: check, sense of adventure: check.
– Today Rosie is attempting to do too much in one day in Glasgow, UK –
