Glasgow Gallivanting: July 2017

78 Comments

Over the last few months, I’ve been taking part in a project at Glasgow Women’s Library to research the women associated with the Belvidere Fever Hospital in the East End of Glasgow around the time of the First World War. There isn’t much detail in the records, so the idea was to use our imaginations to create a series of dramatic monologues around our chosen women. On the 4th of July, this came to fruition with a performance and a book, both called Voices from the Belvidere, bringing to life fascinating stories of laundry maids who ran away, nurses who caught fever after fever, and the rare women doctors who followed their calling against all odds. My contribution was called The Zombie Ward: some day, with more time, I might tell you its story. In the meantime, here’s my protagonist, Nurse Watt, who caught my eye smiling in the centre of the picture above.

Happy birthday to me!

60th birthday in Jasper

My birthday is in July, and 2017 was a big one. 60! I can’t quite believe it. I celebrated on vacation in Canada, and here I am with some of my cards – from the three people who managed to send one in advance, and John who made me stand outside a shop in Canmore, Alberta, while he selected his.

Lake Louise

As I spent most of July in the Canadian Rockies, including Lake Louise as seen above, and I intend to blog much more about that later, it doesn’t leave a great deal of Glasgow Gallivanting to write about. So that’s it for this month – except to say that I hope you’ve had a great July too.

Alberta, Canada, Scotland, UK , , , ,

78 Comments »

  3. Happy belated birthday, Anabel! I’m so sorry I missed this post and yoru birthday.
    But what a beautiful present, a trip to Canada 😉

    And I’m sorry, but you can’t do that! I mean, introducing such interesting theme (women and WWI) and then leave us like that. With nothing. That’s not fair!

    Like

  6. Happy Birthday, Anabel! I look forward to reading your post about your travels in the Canadian Rockies! I’d also LOVE to read your story about the Zombie Ward!!

    Like

  11. Congratulations on the 60th and what a lovely way to celebrate – hopping over the pond and enjoying the Rockies … an amazing part of the world. Been once and would love to visit again … and yes I can see the two birthday syndrome arriving … lovely. The story line at the Library must have been a fun project to be involved in … many Scots travelled west away from their homeland. Cheers Hilary

    Like

  12. Happy 60th birthday! And I think a vacation in Canada is a wonderful way to celebrate, even if you don’t get many cards. (I’m turning 60 next year, and might have to steal your idea. I’ve never been to Canada!)

    Like

  17. Happy significant birthday. Lake Louise a good choice for celebration. Haven’t been to Canada, but am familiar with it through friends who have been there, or who are Canadian. Look forward to your posts.

    Like

  21. Congrats on the publication and your inspiration. It is always great to learn more about the people that gave history. Happy Birthday!!!!it must have been great celebrating it in the Rockies. I know this is belated but hope your birthday was a great one

    Like

  24. Happy birthday, Anabel, and many more spent in far-flung places. So glad you’re enjoying Canada and that your birthday was celebrated in style.

    Like

  25. Happy belated and special birthday, Anabel, and what a wonderful place to celebrate. I always wished I had a summer birthday. 🙂 I am intrigued with all those courageous women you mentioned. So many untold stories of the past. I’m looking forward to a glimpse into the life of your “chosen one”.

    Like

  26. Happy Birthday Anabel. What a wonderful place to celebrate.Hope you had a fabulous time.

    I love the idea of creating monologues to give voice to the long-dead. So many people leave such a light trace on the archival record that without imagination, their lives would be totally forgotten.

    Like

  28. I’m getting caught up with your posts (I have a lot of reading to do – must put on kettle…)
    anyway, happy belated birthday.
    looking forward to reading about your trip to Banff etc … of course, it was busy – all the National Parks are free this year for the 150th!!

    Like

  30. Happy special birthday!! And what a wonderful place to celebrate it in. I love Canada and look forward to reading your posts about your trip. The project sounds fascinating so I hope you will tell us more about it in time.

    Like

  33. Happy birthday, Anabel. I’m so glad you got to enjoy a special birthday in a beautiful part of my country. Looking forward to your take on it.

    Congratulations on the publication. ‘The Zombie Ward’ is an unexpected title. I hope to read the book or see the performance if it is taken on the road.

    Like

    • Thank you for the birthday wishes. I was pleased with the title, I have to say! There is some talk of performing in a local old people’s home but I don’t think we’ll be doing a national tour 😉

      Like