An early arrival in Glasgow today as I only have the one night here before heading off again so, I've once again dumped the bag at my Airbnb and set off! A short train ride into Buchanan St to start my sightseeing! It's a long pedestrian mall in the city center that's buzzing with people out and about!
I have a quick stroll through and make my way to Georges Square, named after King Geroge III at the end of the 18th century. There are several sculptures and monuments within the square. A large column also dedicated to Sir Walter Scott (like the Scott Monument in Edinburgh from my last blog) and an equestrian statue of a young Queen Victoria. A Cenotaph (a monument to honour those whose remains are elsewhere) stands at the foot of the Glasgow City Chambers building.
The Gallery of Modern Art is another stunning building with this chap out the front! Looks like he's having a fabulous time!!
The next stop is the Glasgow Central Station, opening in 1879 and today has an estimated 33 million passengers each year!
Final stop for the day is the River Clyde, which travels through the city and gives for some nice pictures too!
An unexpected find was on the way to a laundromat in the next suburb, Kelvinhall. A stunning building, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
Can you believe that this stunning facade seen here is actually the rear of the building?! There is an urban myth in Glasgow that the building was accidentally built back-to-front, and the architect jumped from one of the towers in despair upon realising his mistake. Years later it was proved it was purposely built facing the park and not Argyle St which is where I took the photo from. Not a bad rear!!!
Well, Glasgow, stunning and moody as expected!
Maybe a bit of this before bed!
Sounds a bit like a broken record but Cleo and I hit the road again, heading south back into England to see the Lakes District. I've been eagerly awaiting this part of the country as it's what I think of straight away, typical gorgeous English countryside. Another slow drive being a farming area so loads of trucks and tractors but hey it goes with it! More practice in the manual! Once again staying with a lovely Airbnb family in the very small town of Tirril, who has the most amazing fresh bread set out waiting for me! It was absolutely delicious (couldn't resist a vegemite sandwich) also gave their children a taste who hated it!
I decided to drive into the larger town nearby which is Penrith, located in the county of Cumbria. Once again making use of the English Heritage pass to visit the site of Penrith Castle. Built at the end of the 14th century to protect the northwest Enaglish border by Ralph Neville.
Its smack bang in the middle of town, opposite the train station and a McDonalds, seems odd really. There's a small yet gorgeous parkland around it and a bowling green where it's a magnificent backdrop. 
Back to the little family home for some dinner and a rest, big day tomorrow exploring the lakes!
I have to say, today is one of the places I've been looking forward too since arriving in the UK! I set off for the town of Keswick, located right in the heart of the Lake District National Park, just north of Derwentwater. Sound familiar? Yes, the Derwent pencils are made here! The factory is right on the river and they have a museum and everything!! 
I walk into the heart town which has lots of cafes and shops in the center mall type area, even a shop just for me! I feel special guys!!
I find a lovely supermarket called Booths and buy some goodies for a picnic lunch down at the lake. Amazing fresh food here reminds me of Lamanna back home.
The walk from town down to the lake was full of surprises! Sheep grazing, rose garden, mini golf, Theatre by the Lake, and a gaggle of geese!!! Keswick you have it all!
I wish my photos could do this justice, the difference in the shades of green and also some purple in the distance in the trees.
I did try playing around with some filters and notice the difference in the same photo (done in real-time, not afterwards)
This was definitely what I came here for! Green English countryside and on a typical English rainy day of course! Divine!
After being down the lake for a few hours I had to drag myself away and push onto visit Brougham Castle. You guessed it, another on the English Heritage pass!! Making the most of that 80 pounds for sure! Set in the stunning green countryside, it surprised me that you could climb up and get the real sense of the castle but also the views! Built in the early 13th century, the castle played an important role during the Scottish Wars of Independence in 1296. Left to ruins after the passing of Lady Anne who managed the upkeep for some years. Here's some of what it looked like then and now.
Getting back to the Airbnb late that evening the family invited me to join them for dinner so I did, home-cooked spag bol!
Lovely to be in a family home with children running around. They had a friend Ian, who had visited Australia once and couldn't comprehend how I didn't know him. Argh, the joys of children! Actually, it was just so lovely to be in a family home.
I've loved it here and I wish I had another day or 2 but more adventures await in Liverpool!
Back on the road Cleo!
Much love,
L xx
This featured blog entry was written by mslaurajade from the blog Travel adventures!.
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