Farewell Scotland...

After a lovely eight days in Glasgow, it was time to say farewell and head back to Detroit. Eliza and I said some sad goodbyes to the family (Eliza and Jesse at right) on Thursday, 30th October, before Shirley drove us to Glasgow International Airport (GLA). 

We had a relaxing cup of coffee/hot chocolate before joining the long queue at Icelandair's check-in desks. Everything went smoothly and, after saying farewell to Shirley, we were in the security line. Here we talked to a kind lady, who gave Eliza 5 pounds to spend at the duty-free shopping area of the airport. :)

Soon enough we were on our way back to the USA via Iceland, pictured here as we approach Keflavik International Airport (KEF). Our flights went really well, as did immigration and customs at Detroit Metro Airport (DTW), and after 11 hours of travel we were reunited with Candace, Riaan, and Anya. 

Thanks to Montassir, Peter, Candace, and others who helped with Shirley's surprise and making it such a special trip. We're so thankful for this amazing (and surprising) trip to Scotland!

With Montassir.

Eliza says bye to Rhyenn.

With my nephew Rhyenn.

Coffee at the airport before our flight.

Climbing out over Glasgow and the River Clyde.

Leaving the fields of Scotland behind.

Lining up with the snow-ploughed runways in Iceland.

Boarding the plane for our second and last flight to Detroit.

Climbing out of Keflavik, Iceland.

The mountains of Greenland from 35,000 feet.

A picture Eliza drew for the Icelandair crew. :)

Sunset as we near the end of our journey.

Happy Memories from Glasgow...

We had some really fun memories to take home to Detroit this visit. Eliza enjoyed her time with the family, and especially loved learning how to play chess with Shirley. She has a really good mind for strategy, and it was great seeing this side of her. 

Eliza also had a wobbly tooth in Scotland that needed to come out, and so her cousin Rhyenn helped pull it for her. She was so brave. Not many people can say they lost a tooth in a foreign country thanks to their cousin pulling it out!

With her cousin Jesse.

Tired cousins after swimming at Time Capsule.

Work day from Shirley and Montassir's flat.

Eliza and Rhyenn with the tooth.

Pot of gold in Glasgow!

Final Full Day in Glasgow...

Wednesday, 29th October, was our final full day in Scotland. Eliza and I met up with my friend Peter for a lovely breakfast at a local restaurant, The New Globe, in nearby Kinning Park. It was good to connect again with Peter and share in fellowship before our travels the next day. I am so thankful for the genuine friendships we still enjoy, dating back to our time on a hospital ship in West Africa. :) 

We spent the rest of the day exploring some other sights of Glasgow. We walked over to Glasgow Green, where we ate a picnic lunch in the shadow of Nelson's Monument (pictured here) - construction began in 1806 and this was the first monument built in the UK to honour Nelson's victories. We then walked back towards St. Enoch's Mall, where we grabbed coffee at a Café Nero and visited Hamleys again.

From there, we visited the fantastic library underneath the Gallery of Modern Art. I read to Eliza and we then explored more of the gallery itself. There was even a scavenger hunt for Eliza to do throughout the art gallery. It was a great final day in Glasgow for this trip!

My delicious breakfast. Yum!

Walking along the River Clyde towards Glasgow Green.

The Marine Skills Centre at the City of Glasgow College.

Playground at Glasgow Green.

The People's Palace.

The Glasgow 2014 monument, from when Glasgow hosted the Commonwealth Games. Glasgow hosts the games again next summer.

The impressive McLennan Arch.

Café Nero coffee shop inside the former Bank of Scotland building.

The iconic statue of the Duke of Wellington, outside the Gallery of Modern Art.

Eliza in the library under the art gallery.

The Hidden Wonders Hunt. :)

Cool skylight in the gallery.

Selfie outside the statue. :)

People in Glasgow are so dog friendly. I love it!

One last stop at Café Nero just outside St. Enoch's Mall.

The lovely, warm atmosphere of a coffee shop. :)

A Morning in Hillhead...

I worked on Monday, 27th October, and then on Tuesday morning Eliza and I caught the subway to Hillhead, where we browsed at the various charity shops in the area. I was quite happy to find a copy of season one of Dad's Army! 

We then headed over to Glasgow Botanic Gardens, where we enjoyed looking at the plants inside the Kibble Palace (pictured above). We also walked down and saw the River Kelvin, with lots of pretty colours of autumn. Before leaving the Gardens, we ate a Flake '99 soft serve. Yum!

Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church.

This church is now a restaurant. The steeple is wearing a hula hoop!

There was a light show taking place at the Botanic Gardens.

Inside the Kibble Palace.

View down toward the River Kelvin on an autumn morning.

We found a small playground, but the equipment was rather wet.

Brilliant blue skies above the Kibble Palace.

Flake '99s for a late morning snack.

Eliza explores the map.