I took the train up to Glasgow on Monday night -- the Caledonian Sleeper -- so I could teach the following day at Strathclyde University. I love sleeper cars -- they are like a sailboat cabin on wheels. Every bit of space is used with great ingenuity -- a shelf flips up to reveal a sink and your cabin has hangers on the wall that allow it to double as a closet.

Scotrail offers a bargain £19 pound fare for trips from London to Glasgow. I lucked out and got one. The train pulls out of London Euston at 11:40 p.m. and pulls into Glasgow around 7:15. We made good time and pulled in 15 minutes early. They also give you breakfast -- a coffee, muffin and apple in a paper bag delivered to your cabin.

My friend and former boss Tom Thomson took me off for breakfast at a small hotel in Glasgow's West End. Kippers, eggs, toast and a potato scone! We drove around Glasgow for a bit, then went off to Strathclyde.

We had an enjoyable time at Strathclyde. Tom talked about wire services, including Reuters and the Associated Press, with me chipping my two cents from time to time. In the afternoon, we ran an exercise in which the 30 students had to write up a simluated terrorist attack on a meeting of major government financial officials. It was fun for all concerned. The students applauded (I love it when that happens).

Tom, who since retiring from Reuters has begun a second career as chairman of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, dropped me off at the University of Glasgow. I spent the rest of the afternoon walking around the 552-year-old school's campus, which is worth a visit if you're spending a couple of days in this great city. Glasgow has great architecture, including buildings by the great Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

I headed over to Ashton Lane, a quaint area near the university with a good number of bars and restaurants. I had time enough for a half-pint at Ginty McGinty's, an Irish bar on the lane, and a Belgian, raspberry-flavored ale at Brel, a Belgian-themed restaurant. The ale accompanied a small bucket of mussels and a side of frites.

Tom picked me up and drove me to the airport where I caught my flight home. Easyjet charged just £17.50 for the trip from Glasgow to London Luton -- another bargain.

We're off to Bath tomorrow for the weekend. Stay tuned ...