Bob's visit across the pond (late Aug, early Sep 2012)

[Bob C.]

Hello all,
    My wife Ellen and I are coming over to Ireland for the Navy-Notre Dame (American) football game in Dublin on 01 September.  We are planning on a trip to Clydebank either the end of August once we arrive (likely flying into Glasgow) or a few days after the game in September. 

Will anyone be in the area at that time?  I would like nothing more than to meet up with whoever is available.  I will have my QE2 pin proudly displayed even if it's just Ellen and me.

[Lynda Bradford]

Hello Bob

Good to hear that you will manage to visit Clydebank this year.  As we live in the Central Belt of Scotland (about an hour's drive from Clydebank) we will certainly make every effort to meet up with you.  Hopefully some other members will be available to meet depending on the dates you will be in Scotland. 

[Bob C.]

Outstanding Lynda!  I'll keep everyone updated of progress as our planning gets more detailed.  Not sure what I am looking forward to more, the game or Clydebank!

[Rob Lightbody]

Bob I also will make very best endeavours to meet up with you - please keep us informed about dates etc.!

[Bob C.]

Excellent!  Thanks Rob.

[Bob C.]

It looks like we are beginning to narrow the dates of our visit down and will most likely be in the Clydebank area at some point between 24 and 30 August.  A couple of questions for anyone that would care to offer an answer:

We will be visiting some family friends in Edinburgh but we may want to spend a night or two in the Glasgow area.  Can anyone recommend a place to stay and a good place to eat/drink while visiting the Clydebank/Glasgow?

Also, is there a better way than another to travel between Scotland and Ireland?  Train/Ferry?  Plane?  We will need to arrive in Dublin on 31 August for the Navy-Notre Dame college football game (American) on 01 September.

Thanks!
Bob

[riskygizmo]

Bob, I can recommend the Carlton George hotel in Glasgow. Stayed a couple of times myself.  It's just off George Sq so slap bang in the centre of the city  and is  four  (or poss five ) star. It also comes with a FREE mini bar and complimentary guest bar ( an amenity  close to the heart  of all Scotsmen)

[Alistair]

Hi Bob,
As an ex Bankie I am afraid that the hotel situation in Clydebank itself is not good these days. However Glasgow city centre has plenty of choices. Depending on your budget one suggestion would be to stay at the Crowne Plaza situated by the river and next to the SECC and the Science Centre. It is incidentally where we usually meet up the night before out Waverley trips. If you are lucky you may even see the Waverley herself as when she is Glasgow she berths across from the hotel. Also, the hotel is close to the suburban railway line to Clydebank. There are two lines running our from the city centre to Clydebank, one via Clydebank Central station and the other further north going through Singer station. You would want the one via Clydebank Central and then it is a short walk from there to the Titan Crane. If you are driving or taking a taxi the main road next to the hotel (Clydeside Expressway) would take you directly through Clydebank also. It's about 6 miles from the city centre to Clydebank centre (or what's left of it).
I'm sure Rob or Lynda could suggest others.
Eating and drinking....where to start! Glasgow is full of great restaurants and bars. The cuisine of the world is at your fingertips. If you want to go Scottish I can recommend a few: Roastit' Bubbly Jocks, Ubiquitous Chip, Stravaigan come to mind.
I would think the best way to get from Glasgow to Dublin would be to fly. Not sure about the ferry situation these days. Others may be able to help there.

Sorry I won't be home to meet up when you are there. I'm still "in the land of the camels" as my grandaughter calls it, or as I call it...Kuwait!

Alistair

[Rob Lightbody]

As another option, it would be perfectly possible to stay in Edinburgh and explore Glasgow from there.  Trains are fast (an hour) and frequent (varies but a few an hour).

[Bob C.]

Thanks all for your advice.  As of now, it looks as if we will be arriving at Glasgow airport on 27 August.  Not sure where we will be staying but likely Edinburgh.  We will be flying to Dublin from Glasgow on the 31st of August (my last day in the US Navy) and enjoying the Navy-Notre Dame game on 01 Septmeber (my first day out of the Navy).  We'll be heading back to whatever the future holds as far as my next career on the 6th of Sepetember. 

Very much looking forward to this trip!

[Rod]

Thanks all for your advice.  As of now, it looks as if we will be arriving at Glasgow airport on 27 August.  Not sure where we will be staying but likely Edinburgh.  We will be flying to Dublin from Glasgow on the 31st of August (my last day in the US Navy) and enjoying the Navy-Notre Dame game on 01 Septmeber (my first day out of the Navy).  We'll be heading back to whatever the future holds as far as my next career on the 6th of Sepetember. 

Very much looking forward to this trip!

Bob, sadly I will not be able to join you. But I wish you the very best of luck, enjoy the game, I will be watching on ESPN or similar, I predict Navy over ND 30-7!
But above ALL. Thank you for your service to us ALL!

[Bob C.]

I predict Navy over ND 30-7!
But above ALL. Thank you for your service to us ALL!

Really Rod?  30-7 Navy over a team named the Fighting Irish being played in Ireland?  Methinks the game be lopsided at best only the other way around!  Don't get me wrong, I bleed Navy blue and gold; however, I am a realist...lol    I am looking forward to some real Guiness and Jamison's though! 

Thanks for the well wishes though, much appreciated!

[Rod]

Really Rod?  30-7 Navy over a team named the Fighting Irish being played in Ireland?  Methinks the game be lopsided at best only the other way around!  Don't get me wrong, I bleed Navy blue and gold; however, I am a realist...lol    I am looking forward to some real Guiness and Jamison's though! 

Thanks for the well wishes though, much appreciated!

Remember Midway BOB, think positive...you still owe me a lobster dinner over rivets! Double or quits?

[Peter Mugridge]

As another option, it would be perfectly possible to stay in Edinburgh and explore Glasgow from there.  Trains are fast (an hour) and frequent (varies but a few an hour).

The fastest way is Edinburgh to Glasgow Queen Street via Falkirk, four an hour off peak, 50 minute journey time.

[Bob C.]

Quick update:  Ellen and I just purchased our plane tickets.  We will be arriving in Edinburgh on 23 August and departing for Dublin on 31 Aug.  We are hoping to visit Clydebank on 25 and/or 26 August.  Would love to be able to meet whoever might be in the area at that time.  Looking forward to our visit next month!