14 April 2011

Here we are! My last day in Scotland already! I'm in the train back to Ely. Hopefully, it won't have any delays. I hate it when that happens; it makes me nervous. But so far so good, so fingers crossed!

I had a nice day today! I bought some make-up, which made me in a good mood. And not only did I buy make-up, but I was made-up by a lady in the shop too, so that was quite nice!

After that, I went on the walking tour. This one wasn't free, but it was only £5, so not bad at all! It was all right. Not the best walking tour ever, but I got to spend about three hours with young people: a girl from Ireland, two girls from Canada, one from Jamaica, a guy from Mexico and on from California (who was quite cute =P). They were nice, and the guide was quite young, too, so we all got to chat and that was nice!

The tour ended at the cathedral and just next to it is Necropolis, the city of the dead. I didn't feel like climbing up there on Tuesday, but I felt like it today, and so did most of the people in the group, so we all went. It was quite cool. Must be kinda creepy at night though haha. The guide had told us that up there in the cemetery was a grave designed by... guess who? Yay, Mackintosh! I wanted to see it obviously, but there are many graves in that graveyard and I sure didn't want to spend ages wandering around to find the Mackintosh grave. I'll google it later.

Here are a couple of pictures or Necropolis!

And finally, I went back to my hotel to get my suitcase, had a nice Starbucks cappuccino and took the train! A 5:45 journey's ahead of me lol. Ouch. And I have two changes. At least it gives me time to write this.

12 April 2011

Ok! SO I had some more Mackintosh stuff to visit! In the morning, I went to see the House for an Art Lover. I took the subway, as it's quite far from the centre, and I really didn't feel like walking miles and miles. I'm tired. I still had to walk for 10-15 minutes from the subway station. The area was quite gloomy and it was raining again! But it was all worth it! I really really loved the visit! The House was built according to Mackintosh's portfolio of drawings, which were submitted as a competition entry to a German design magazine. I was the first visitor, which means that my pictures are totally tourist-free! Hehehe. My favourite room was definitively the Music Room. Wonderful!

Then, I took the subway again to go to the Scotland Street School Museum. I honestly didn't like it. The exterior is dry and scary and the interior is even worse. It's white and green, the ceilings are low, which make it all feel like a frightening old hospital for crazy people. I felt like I was in one of the buildings of Shutter Island lol.

Finally, I took the subway, walked and walked and walked to visit my last Mackintosh building: Queen's Cross, the Mackintosh Church. Only to find out that it was closed... the new 2011 timetable grml. And it's also closed on Thursdays now, which means I won't ever be able to go inside. But I saw the outside. And saved £2 yay!

After that, I went on the second part of the bus tour, to see the Cathedral, Provand's Lordship, the oldest house in Glasgow, Necropolis (the city of the dead) and the People's Palace and Winter Gardens, in front of which stands the biggest terracotta fountain in the world. Quite cool!

Tomorrow, I'm going to the the Loch Ness yay! I just hope the weather won't be too horrible =S

11 April 2011

First day in Glasgow.

I thought it'd be a horrible day! It didn't start well. First of all, the weather was horrible this morning. I know, I'm in Scotland and couldn't expect sunshine and warmth for one week. Still, I wasn't happy.

So I went on this bus tour. Those tours are crap commentary-wise, but they're good in that they plan a good itinerary for you! Which is why I bought a ticket. And the interesting things to see are not all grouped together like they are in Edinburgh, so it was a good idea.

My first stop – and really, I shouldn't have stopped! I wanted to see the Science Centre. Thing is, the weather was horrible and there was absolutely no one there! Quite depressing really! I felt really bad and a bit lost too. So I took 1-2 pictures, for the sake of it, and then I waited for the next bus to come.

 

I then decided to stop to visit Charles Rennie Mackintosh's House. He's a really famous architect and designer from Glasgow. His work in influenced by the Scottish tradition, but is also inspired by the Japanese! Mackintosh had a major impact on Art Nouveau. I have a particular reason for being interested in Mackintosh's work; my parents won some furniture designed by him. Our dining room chairs, and another chair, which serves a decoration purpose only haha

I like the things he designed. It's not too kitsch but it's not too simple either, if you see what I mean. It's classy and original. Also, I'm officially a fan of Mackintosh's font, which can be seen pretty much everywhere in the city!

So. I went into the guy's house. It was free for me, as I'm a student, yay! It was quite small, but I enjoyed it very much! The interiors of the man's house were reassembled and even though I don't think I could live in such an arty house, it's a really beautiful one!

 

After that, I went into the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum to see yet other pieces designed by Mackintosh.

Our chairs look very much like those!

Then, I took the bus again and stopped in the city centre to have lunch. And I had a special drink! During the free tour I went on yesterday in Edinburgh, the guide told us that Coke was not the most popular and sold soft drink in Scotland, but a drink called Irn Bru (Iron Brew). So I wanted to taste it. It's good, I like it, but I still like a good Diet Coke better =P I don't really know how to describe the taste of Irn Bru though... But the thing looks REALLY orange haha.

After lunch, it was time for some more of Charles Rennie Mackintosh! I saw the Daily Record Building, designed by Mackintosh, and then, the Lighthouse, which features the Mackintosh Centre. I climbed the Mackintosh Tour and admired the view that spread before my eyes!

We own the exact same chair!

But I was not over with Mackintosh! I had a nice cuppa tea at the famous Willow Tearoom. The interiors, and you will NOT believe me, were designed by..... Charles Rennie Mackintosh himself!! and many original features remain. It's a lovely tea room and my orange-flavoured black tea was very good and surprisingly not too expensive!

To end my Mackintosh-themed day, I decided to visit the Glasgow School of Art, which was INTIRELY designed my Mackintosh. It's his master-work and was voted Britain's favourite Building of the past 175 years! The school is still open too! The tour was great and really interesting, and it was led by an art student – looking very much like an art student haha. I particularly enjoyed the library, which is open one hour a day! Photos weren't allowed inside, but here are some of the outside!

I still have a couple of Mackintosh-related visits to do, but I'm saving them for tomorrow!