CC and I arrived at Birmingham airport at 7.20am. We checked in and then checked out the duty-free perfume counters. Lots of new arrivals advertised and we started spraying each other. We must have smelt like a whore house :-).
We passed the time with Sudoku while waiting to board. Boarding went smoothly although a hassle for CC cos she'd laced up boots. We'd to take our shoes off and place it on the tray. CC spent about 20 mins unlacing and lacing up her boots.
The plane was full. We were surprised to find out that you'd to pay for drinks and sandwiches. Not cheap, about £5 each. Luckily, it only took us an hour to Glasgow.
We touched down on time. I was surprised that my luggage was the first one out. While waiting for CC to arrive from London, we checked out armed policemen who were patrolling the airport. Man, they were fit-it.
I don't like seeing them carrying their mean machines in public places. But, I guess they don't want a repeat of the 3rd July terror attack on the airport in 2007. Barriers were set outside the airport to stop traffic from getting close to the building.
CC, KS and I shared a taxi to the University of Strathclyde, where the conference was held.
It took us 30 mins and its costs us £20. We registered but we will only be given our accommodation key at 12pm. We decided to drag our suitcases into the town centre for coffee. Since I'm fasting, I went out and took some photographs of the lovely old surrounding buildings.
There was a long queue outside the Village Office. I got chatting to fellow librarians. I'd a nice en-suite room. While the others were having lunch, I unpacked and rested. I'm soo tired.
At 2pm, the Cataloguing and Indexing Conference started. It was a full-house. The sessions ran smoothly and the speakers were very good. But, I'm glad when it was over. Thankfully, dinner coincides with my breaking of fast. The food was delicious and the desserts divine. Over coffee, we started networking. It was nearly 10pm when we went back to our rooms.
The next day, we were kept on our toes. 
There was soo much to digest and discuss. I'd to be alert cos I was asked to present a short paper on the conference at the next meeting.
After tea, we'd the afternoon off before the conference dinner. GH and I decided to check out the Glasgow Cathedral and Glasgow Necropolis. I was very surprised that there was no charge for photography and also asking for donations. In England and Wales, we'd to pay for these privileges.
We walked up the hill to the Necropolis.
The tombs, mausoleums and monuments were truly awesome. And so were the views of Glasgow. The aroma from the nearby brewery lingering in the air.
Then it was time to get ready for the conference dinner held at the Millenium Hotel, in George Square. It was a leisurely 10 minutes walk in our fineries. The dinner was superb and the speaker gave a hillarious speech about Scotland that left us in stitches. We didn't stay for the quiz cos CC wanted me to taste one of the local delicacies, pakoras. We'd mushroom and indeed it was delicious.
The final day of the conference went by very quickly. We exchanged business cards with a promise to keep in touch. It was quite sad to say goodbye to new friends. CC then took me to a proper tearoom for replenishments. Then, off to the airport.
We did the touristy bit and bought fridge magnets, macaroons, shortbread to remind us of Scotland. And a tin of venison haggis caused a commotion at the security check-in. It was in my hand luggage and the camera must have not like the look of it. I was asked to step aside and the very nice security guy asked permission to open my bag. We'd a good laugh when he spotted the offending item. Man...they shouldn't have sold it at the airport if it's going to create problems.
It was a bumpy ride on the way home. The weather was awful. We dozed off but I was awakened when the plane shook as we were over Lake Windermere, according to the captain. Phew...
Touched down to a miserable, wet and windy Birmingham. Called Kevin and waited for him in the cold. It was really nice to be home.
*Welcome to Glasgow in Gaelic.
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