The GOHOS go to Glasgow

So we have a pretty boring day for you today. We have basically lost a day to returning Riona to her rightful owners and hopping on a plane for a short flight to Glasgow.

We packed and repacked our crap this morning to ensure that it all fit into our luggage as we could only have a small hand bag on the flight, which would have to go under the seat (yes we asked Bron our trusty travel agent to get us extra baggage for this flight and she did).  After some shuffling of stuff we packed Riona and checked out of the hotel.  We headed to the local coffee shop down the road for a delicious but naughty breakfast of coffee and cake as we didn't have time for anything cooked this morning.

From the coffee shop we headed to the Belfast peace wall. The peace wall was constructed in 1969 during the height of The Troubles, the peace walls were initially intended as temporary safety measures to separate predominantly Catholic (Falls Road) and Protestant (Shankill Road) neighbourhoods. It is strange to the think that a wall such as this was needed during this time.  The wall was intended as a temporary measures but becoming permanent and reinforced over time.  Today, the city has over 60 walls stretching for more than 34kms and with some parts of the wall reaching up to 8m high.   

Also as soon as we drove nearer to the Peace Wall "loyalist side" there were flags in abundance. As per the below picture.

From the wall it was onto the airport to send Riona home.  Now I can't remember if we told you about our dilemma while picking her up?  They offered us the original car that we had but the front passenger window didn't go down properly, so we changed it at the last minute.  Of course good old Hertz never updated the paperwork and when we went to return the car this morning they told us we had the wrong car.  I assured him we had been driving the same car all week! At least the guys in Belfast were helpful and sorted it out for us, thankfully.  We will see what happens in a couple of days/weeks as to whether we get charged for stuff that wasn't us.

We headed to the terminal from here and had another drink as it was too early to check in.  We effectively purchased the use of a card table.  We played Skip-Bo for the next 1.5 hours and then it was time to check in.  Once checked in we headed through to the gate area and had some lunch and played some more cards.  There has been some pretty good people watching in the last 24 hours.

On to the shortest flight known to man kind (about 30 mins) and we were landing in Glasgow.  Waiting for the baggage to turn up on the carousel actually took longer than the flight did.

From baggage claim it was on to Avis to pick up our new wheels for the next 2 weeks. Obviously the Avis guy had kissed the Blarney Stone in his life as he certainly had the gift of the gab.

We were upgraded to a Black BYD Seal - she fancy but lots of bells and whistles we didn't really need while trying to navigate downtown Glasgow.  So now we need to name this car.... suggestions welcome:

1. Dougall
2. Hamish
3. Bonnie
4. Callum
5. Duncan
6. Finlay
7. Angus

Once we were settled with our fancy wheels it was time to test the Scottish motorway into the city, we got there eventually.  Too many one way streets in the city centre for my liking but we made it to the hotel.

The room is very fancy also, we have not only a bar fridge, we have a shower (and not over the bath style - happy days), as well as a/c. WOW - it's the little things. plus robes and slippers. 

We have a super exciting night ahead of us.  We are currently sitting in the pub having a pint and waiting on dinner while our washing is in the laundromat in the BP carpark across the road.  We will let you know if it is all still there on our return.

We found a pub across the way from the 'laundromat' and had the best meal. It was Skye black braised Angus beef short ribs and beef cheek pie with cheddar mash and roast carrots. Delish!!!  Highly recommend if you happen to be in the neighbourhood.