I have now left the busy rush of Glasgow where thanks to someone I had never met before, a small dream came true.
About fifteen years ago I watched a documentary on 'The Arlington Club', a private members' club in Glasgow. It showed elderly gentlemen swinging on trapezes over a swimming pool, and the most beautiful, Victorian steam room. I knew I had to go there, and have had it in mind ever since.
Feeling a bit cheeky, and coming from a family where 'the wild e-mail' is a bit of a 'thing', I sent a note to the manager of 'The Arlington Club', explaining I had seen the documentary and this was a bit of a dream of mine. I was delighted to get a response saying I was welcome to go and have a look round. 'Can I bring my swimming costume?' I asked. He was fine with that and said I could have two hours to enjoy the facilities.
So, off I went, with a friend, to walk around in another dream (this year out seems to be full of opportunities to walk in dream sequences). It didn't disappoint. The manager was really welcoming and friendly and we put our cossies on and went for a dip and a sauna. Sadly we couldn't steam as it was mens' day, but we were able to have a look at the steam room and appreciate the ambiance.
Over the swimming pool, the trapezes looked really tempting. I was feeling bold as I had heard that the elderly gentleman who had featured in the film still frequented the club. I climbed the ladder and held the end of the stick you use to reach the trapeze, but my nerve drained out of me. Made me realise how brave those circus people are, and the gentleman in the documentary.
It was a good day, as we also had a full Scottish breakfast in the Willow Tea Room, which is a Charles Rennie Mackintosh building which would have been in my dreams if I had known about it in advance. Come to that, so would the breakfast have been - very yummy.
After Glasgow, I headed south to Carlisle where I am staying with a good friend and about to go and meet some good friends of good friend, who have been resident members of staff on Iona in the past so are keen to hear about my trip.
I am being constantly bowled over by how kind friends and strangers are.
I have also realised, by writing this, that dreams can be catagorised in various ways - small ones, big ones, possible and impossible ones, silly ones and sensible ones, although I am not sure it is worth having a sensible dream.
About fifteen years ago I watched a documentary on 'The Arlington Club', a private members' club in Glasgow. It showed elderly gentlemen swinging on trapezes over a swimming pool, and the most beautiful, Victorian steam room. I knew I had to go there, and have had it in mind ever since.
Feeling a bit cheeky, and coming from a family where 'the wild e-mail' is a bit of a 'thing', I sent a note to the manager of 'The Arlington Club', explaining I had seen the documentary and this was a bit of a dream of mine. I was delighted to get a response saying I was welcome to go and have a look round. 'Can I bring my swimming costume?' I asked. He was fine with that and said I could have two hours to enjoy the facilities.
So, off I went, with a friend, to walk around in another dream (this year out seems to be full of opportunities to walk in dream sequences). It didn't disappoint. The manager was really welcoming and friendly and we put our cossies on and went for a dip and a sauna. Sadly we couldn't steam as it was mens' day, but we were able to have a look at the steam room and appreciate the ambiance.
Over the swimming pool, the trapezes looked really tempting. I was feeling bold as I had heard that the elderly gentleman who had featured in the film still frequented the club. I climbed the ladder and held the end of the stick you use to reach the trapeze, but my nerve drained out of me. Made me realise how brave those circus people are, and the gentleman in the documentary.
It was a good day, as we also had a full Scottish breakfast in the Willow Tea Room, which is a Charles Rennie Mackintosh building which would have been in my dreams if I had known about it in advance. Come to that, so would the breakfast have been - very yummy.
After Glasgow, I headed south to Carlisle where I am staying with a good friend and about to go and meet some good friends of good friend, who have been resident members of staff on Iona in the past so are keen to hear about my trip.
I am being constantly bowled over by how kind friends and strangers are.
I have also realised, by writing this, that dreams can be catagorised in various ways - small ones, big ones, possible and impossible ones, silly ones and sensible ones, although I am not sure it is worth having a sensible dream.
1 comment:
Keep writing!
RETA @ http://evenhaazer.blogspot.com
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