Celtic v Glasgow Rangers

Ade-oh said:
Some oddly anachronistic - and indeed alarmist - views about Glasgow and the British railway system here. Glasgow is no more unsafe than any other European city of equivalent size - and indeed considerably safer than some. There are areas which aren't terribly salubrious but any half decent guide book will tell you where to avoid: otherwise, it's a great place for a night out and the Celtic-Rangers 'Old Firm' derby match will be undeniably passionate.

As for the railway system: the main complaint is that it's very expensive. Apart from Sundays - when maintenance work and engineering seems to paralyse the system - trains generally run to timetable and are clean. The sleeper services, in my experience, are very good.

My preference would be to stay in Paris, but then I live in London and would go for the novelty value. The Eurostar service is generally excellent. I haven't done London-Paris yet, but have done London-Brussels several times and it is amazing to be able to travel city-centre to city-centre in a couple of hours, without all the fooling around with airport transfers etc.

Have fun!
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Agree.

I live down town Oslo, described as 'hell' by our local police chief after closing hours were 'liberalised'. Killings and rapes are commonplace. We feel, like the rest of Northern Europe, the results from the alcohol liberalisation pushed upon us by EU. Add that Oslo is one of the most corrupt cities in Europe (Palermo? Ha!) where night club owners and politicians are living in symbiosis.

Elsewhere in Scandinavia?

Well, the US State Department issued a warning recently to American tourists that they should stay clear of certain areas of Copenhagen. Due to the war between the motorcycle gangs like Hells Angels and others. It has turned so violent that ordinary people were in danger.

I Malmø, Sweden, a guy has been shooting indiscriminately against 'black immigrants' out in the streets at night, killing one. So far. Police have now arrested a suspect. Let's hope it is the right guy.

I could go on.

So, Glasgow can hardly be worse than what we are used to. Rather the oposite. Nor are we out looking for for trouble - or for brauds (well, æhum, not systematically, that is), but rather a cozy pub with WWII veterans. If such are still to be found alive.

Hum, haggis and black pudding. I am looking forward to it!
 
Glasgow is great and the people are very friendly you will have no trouble at all its the second greatest city in the world (Edinburgh being the first).
 
SimonSawSunlight said:
oh, I'm curious now. what makes edinburgh a far better city than glasgow? :)
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I got engaged in Edinburgh for one.

Things to do: Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood, Princes St Gardens, overlook sight near Nelson monument.
Pubs: the Royal Oak, Grayfriar's bobby
 
It's been 10 years since I hopped the pond and I only spent time in the south and eastern portions of the island; but I would also vouch for the bed and breakfasts over there. Much cheaper than the American versions at least and every bit as nice. One other bonus would be getting to know the owners of the establishment- some more friends from your journey, if you will.

I'll be hoping for a safe and enjoyable journey for you Olsen.
 
It is ten years since I have been on the British Isles too. Then it was a hectic business trip visiting an exhibition in Birmingham and living a few nights in London. Some 20 years back my wife and I used to go shopping in London before Christmas, because 'London was so cheap'. Which it isn't anymore. So, now I miss London and the UK.
 
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Haha this thread reminded me of a chat I had the other day with a Scottish bloke working for a charity. He mentioned he's from Glasgow, so when we started talking football I asked him if he barracks for Celtic. His response: "mate if I was celtic you'd have no clue what I'm talking about, I'd have no shoes on, most of my teeth would be missing and you'd be missing your wallet. Lucky for you I'm rangers" :D

I absolutely love Scotland and reading this thread made me properly jealous.
Have fun and dont forget to show us the photos :)
 
When I first went to study at LSE I rented a room with a Irish and Cathoilic lady at Normand Road, close to Barons Court, in London. It was very difficult to rent rooms in London back then. I was lucky and got to rent this room because I come from a rare thing; a Norwegian Catholic family (I am not religous, though). She held strict rules. I had to be back in my room 22.00 - while the pubs closed 22.30 (or was it 23.00). She also warned me about the 'Irish students' renting rooms in the neighbourhood. They were all a flock of heavy drinkers & sinners, I was told.

The very first night I went to the local pub, I met a flock of very jolly Irish students, some of whom became my friends for years afterwards, got stone drunk and got back to my rented room well after the pub's closing hours. My hostess was very cross and disappointed with me. - I sent her Christmas cards well into the eighties.
 
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SimonSawSunlight said:
really? what a pity! I did the cruise from Bergen via Stavanger to Newcastle once; very so convenient and a cool experience (except for the standard tourist amusement on these ships... but you don't have to bother with these if you don't want to.). it was also very cheap in combination with an interrail ticket (I think something about 60€, way cheaper than making aaaaall the detour through the south).
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Simon,

I wonder if you have ever taken this night train from Hamburg to Paris? http://www.eurorailways.com/products/night_trains/hamburg_to_paris.htm
 
Have a great time, Olsen. I have only been to Scotland twice, but I loved the place and hope to return again soon.

I do a similar pilgrimage every year with my brother. We both graduated from the same midwestern US university. Each fall we look at the football schedule (American College Football, mind you) and choose a venue we have never been to. We meet up for a long weekend, explore a new town/city, play some golf, drink some beer and attend the game. It's always great fun.

I would love to attend a Celtic/Ranger match. Nothing like an intense rivalry to arouse the senses. Like Spyro said, be sure to post some pictures.
 
bigeye said:
The Old Firm...work on your YNWA. Should be fun.

- Charlie
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We better...

Apropos singing: I saw England play Argentina in 1978 at Wembley. England had not qualified for the World Championship that year, a great disappointment. So, it was a 'friendly' match that England won, impressively, with an elegant Kevin Keegan on top. Never mind the match; it is the singing I remember. Each end of the expector stands sang each verse of 'We are the Champions'.... A touching moment.
 
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Best singing I ever heard was Wales v England at Cardiff Arms Park. Rugby of course. Those Welsh choirs can really sing.
 
I have gotten into this discussion with football statistics freak Paul Yarden on when or if there was a match between England and Argentina on Wembley in 1978. - I am sure it was because I can link the event together with other important events in my life. I changed jobs that year.

Either this match is not included in the English Football Associations statistics, - it has been left out, of some reason. Or, most likely, the match in their statistics dated in 1980 actually found place in 1978.

In early 1978 Argentina toured Europe to meet several national teams before the up coming World Championship in Argentina, which they later won. So, the only team that bet Argentina that year was - England. This is an important event that the English Football Association should have included in their statistics with a correct year. When EFA is not getting it right then all other statistics (it seems to) get it wrong too. Like the reputed Rothmans Football Yearbook. etc.

Scandal!
 
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