The Wedding Day!

Another sunny day!  It's perfectly appropriate for Dana and her consistently great karma.

I woke up in time to head over with Barb for a "Full Scottish Breakfast" at the Inn. 

It was our first taste of blood pudding, which was actually nice with the whole plate consisting of ham, sausage, free range egg, beans, mushrooms and tomato.

A few of us went for a nice walk to prepare for the inevitable gorging and binging to come. 

The wedding ceremony was the most perfect I've ever witnessed and the dinner and speeches were great. I admittedly got a bit choked up with the heartfelt speeches. It's been an incredible day so far.  

Dana naturally beautiful.

Dave in doc martins to match his kilt.

Dana with her mom, sister and brother.

The ceilidh (Kay-Lee) that followed dinner was, according to Eileen, a traditional wedding celebration.  Everybody danced, even me. I was encouraged by the large amount of natives that also needed instruction and rehearsal for most of these traditional dances. There was a ceilidh caller that gave quick lessons before each complicated (square-dance-like) dance which often included throwing partners to a someone, swinging and raising hands and yelling.  It was sweaty but fun.

Around 10 pm it was still light out and we stepped out for coffee and wedding cake    

Dancing went til after midnight then a lot of whiskey was tasted at the bar.

Glen Clova

We arrived late at Glen Clova a haven for walkers. Hill walking is a major pastime. The inn here is very quaint and cozy while the modern lodges are super posh. 

Our view is nice. 

Then at 6 we joined the pot luck BBQ Dana organized. It was fun to meet her family finally. 

I brought some nice cheese I got in London from Neal's Yard. Stilton, appleby's Cheshire and Montgomery's Cheddar. It went over well. Like Dana, her family was fun and also cheese lovers. 

Dana with her "little" brother Connor(6'4") and her mom, Kay. Her family is so fun. 

Sadly I didn't take a photo of Dave the groom to be, so you'll have to wait and see him in tomorrow's wedding photos. 

Typical Dana, she got everyone involved with an art project after the BBQ. We were told to make a decorated two-sided heart. 

There's no wifi here except for a weak signal in the inn's lobby. So, hopefully I'll be posting some great wedding photos tomorrow but its possible it will be delayed a day on account of alcohol consumption. 

Walking to the inn for a late night drinkypoo. It gets dark here after 10pm. 

Gnight 

NICENSLEEZY

I really love Glasgow. It's a town with spunk, spite and humor. The history and general attitude remind me of what I like about Philly. Today was our last day in "Glesga" and we were blessed again to miss the rain. It's been a refreshingly crisp climate between 60 and 70 degrees.  Nice to wear jeans and not have allergies to deal with.

We had a great flat with antlers: 

Antlers were one of the main reasons we picked this one on airbnb.com.

Today barb and I visited The People's Palace-  museum of Glasgow history and rich culture. 

(click to make any photos larger to view)

The visitors and citizens enjoy this indoor garden attached, year long. 

The terra cotta fountain is the only one of its kind. 

(Detail) 

The Duke of Wellington had his daily crown supplied by an anonymous citizen, as is the tradition.  

We also went to an opening at the Glasgow Print Studio and saw this ancient press on tour of the print shop. 

Lastly, to complete our Glasgow stay with a visit to this art student bar :

These lovely ladies were fun to chat with out front. The blonde was excited by my sophisticated Philadelphia accent since she'd been in Philly for 4 months last year.

I want a bar named NICENSLEEZY in Philly.

Next stop....Dana Hargrove's wedding weekend at Glen Clova!  

WOOO HOOO!!!

Glasgow bus touring.

Today we bought two day passes for the double-decker historic bus tours that loop through most of the city.

An unfair wind blown snapshot of Barb & Eileen. 

We got to see tons of the rich architecture. 

There was a lot of money in this town, and it shows. 

Twins, no doubt. 

Thec Science Museum. 

Funky contemporary buildings are popping everywhere. 

The "Squinty Bridge" 

"The Armadillo" the Scottish exhibition conference center. 

 They're building a new music venue. It's parking lot building nick-named "the Cheese building" (below)

"Stay still, there's a fly on your head- ill get it". 

My thrifty lunch  : 4£. Sausage roll and steak bake from Gregg's (hot savory pastry bits of heaven) and some healthy fruit from at Marks & Spencer's to make my mom feel better. 

Gratuitous Kilt Photo. 

The Necropolis is an ancient grand graveyard on top of a hill overlooking the city. 

While eileen was visiting family, Barb and I decided on a curry restaurant just down the street from where we are staying called:

Barb inadvertently took a double portrait from outside this very "wee" restaurant.

(From left) peas, potatoes and mint - saag paneer broccoli - prawn achari with lime and chili (so damn good) - ginger lamb and mushrooms.