Glasgow Gallivanting: October 2022
I haven’t written anything since September’s gallivanting post – a totally unplanned omission for no reason other than that life has been busy. Partly socialising, and partly “work” – the women’s history walk season is winding down, but it’s not quite finished yet. I had one walk and one talk in October, and I’m now deep into serious revision / rewriting for the beginning of next year. So what else did I enjoy during the month?
We took a walk at Whitelee Windfarm – the 8 mile Lochgoin Circuit which we’ve enjoyed before, and which occupies only a small fraction of the place. The 10 second video below the gallery gives an idea of the slightly weird experience of walking under the shadow of the moving turbines – they are quite noisy.
We continued to enjoy our usual walks along the canal, looking out for our swan friends. The new bridge at Stockingfield Junction continues to be a delight – I can’t wait for it to be fully open.
The Botanic Gardens has been showing some beautiful autumn colours – and was taken over by dinosaurs as the annual GlasGLOW light show was set up.
On one of our walks down Byres Road we fancied a coffee and stepped into the University Cafe which was established in 1918. Unbelievably, neither of us had ever visited before, but we’ll be back. John spotted the chocolate cake – just look at it!
We had a week away at the end of the month in a cottage in Aberdeenshire – more to follow on that eventually, but in the meantime here’s John enjoying an evening by the fire in its cosy lounge. I met the couple in the next image in a café yesterday (31st) after, appropriately enough for Halloween, I had spent a couple of hours wandering the Necropolis with Louise, a fellow tour guide, as we plotted out a new route. I’m glad to say that John looks in much better health than the other two!
So that was my October, how was yours? I hope you have a lovely November.
The Glasgow Gallivanter 
I love the dinosaurs in the Botanic Garden – how fun! That chocolate cake doesn’t look half bad either – hope it was as good as it looks!
LikeLike
It certainly was! Definitely worth going back for.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Anabel – great pictures and that video … I’d be bewildered by the turbine arm shadows whistling past … and it’s like the noise from electrical sub-stations … have hidden ‘worries’. That chocolate cake does look rather good – no wonder you’re going back! Excellent you’ve found some new routes for your walks. Autumn colours with dinosaurs attracting the youngsters … thanks for sharing with us – cheers Hilary
LikeLike
It did feel a bit weird walking under those fast moving shadows!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The wind turbine with the dark clouds beyond it is quite dramatic.
LikeLike
It is. I really find the turbines beautiful, though I know a lot of people don’t.
LikeLike
I was going to say the pictures of the dinosaurs were my favorite, but then I saw the picture of the cake and ice cream……..
LikeLike
The cake and ice cream were quite something!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely time you had. Those wind turbines look like they could take you out as you walk near them. I love swans even though they can be temperamental. I loved what was written on that circle. Is that an old cenotaph surrounded by the blue Fence? That wedding couple need to eat some cake:)
LikeLike
The monument behind the blue fence is to the Covenanters who had religious differences to the king in the 17th century. They didn’t recognise him as head of the church.
LikeLike
I meant to compare the birds seen on my annual survey after the wind turbines were installed nearby, with the data beforehand. I don’t think there was much difference, given all the other possible variables, but I never saw any barn owls in the neighbouring fields again. Then again, I never saw them anywhere else, either.
I love Dunwan Hill’s plaque. Do a lot of hills have them?
LikeLike
I think this plaque is just because it’s a viewpoint on the trail. Most hills don’t have anything so pretty!
LikeLike
Love the idea of walking alongside the wind turbines, don’t see so many at this end of the country. All solar farms, not so impressive to wander by. Love the look of that wood burner, very cosy!
LikeLike
They are definitely impressive, especially in large numbers like that. We only used the stove once, it wasn’t just cosy, it was roasting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
As usual your month puts me to shame! We really do need to start having more city breaks and get out of Cornwall to explore other parts of the country.
LikeLike
I haven’t left Scotland since pre-pandemic, though I’ve enjoyed exploring other parts of it in that time, so I feel I’ve been quite restrictive too. Might be about to change!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well there are so many lovely places to visit in Scotland, you don’t really need to go any further afield.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like you had a great October month. Nothing really exciting for me in October just some small walks around the house. The weather hasn’t been great in Cumbria.
LikeLike
It wasn’t too bad here in October. Small walks can be good too!
LikeLike
Hi, Anabel – I was delighted to see this post from you. I missed reading your posts and was hoping that all was well. I was delighted to read that it is!
Oh, and when I saw your title I began to think maybe you travelled out this way (to the UNESCO Dinosaur Park in Alberta). I think you mentioned that you were there before? Your GlasGLOW dinosaurs look very fun!
LikeLike
Thanks Donna! Yes, we visited the dinosaur park and the museum in Drumheller in 2017. Just a tiny bit more impressive than ours 😉.
LikeLike
A fun filled month there. Although I’ve been impressed by other wind farms in more scenic locations Whitelee always leaves a negative impression visually, even on a bike, despite it’s huge size but if they had to erect hundreds of turbines in one place without spoiling the landscape too much that’s certainly the location to put it without risking an outcry.
LikeLike
Do you think so? I always like it with its lochs and small hills. Maybe the bits away from the main track are less attractive, but we’ve not explored them.
LikeLike
Thinking about it they might have added some scenic attractions for visitors as it’s over a decade since my last trip there.
LikeLike
Ah, it will definitely have changed! Lovely visitor centre with café now.
LikeLike
John is holding what looks to be a delicious beer. I could go for one right now. Cheers!
LikeLike
It was very good beer! We both enjoyed it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If that chocolate cake is anything to go by, the cafe must be a winner. I hope you take us for a walk over that bridge when it’s open.
LikeLike
I certainly shall!
LikeLiked by 1 person
An interesting month for sure.
LikeLike
Thanks, a good variety.
LikeLike
Chocolate cake? Say no more, although I do like the autumn colours and the swans 🙂
LikeLike
I think autumn has been particularly lovely this year. The colours in Aberdeenshire were gorgeous.
LikeLike
the shadows are mesmerising! What a lovely walk
LikeLike
It was! It’s a really nice place to visit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We had a couple of jumbo wind turbines in the village up the road from us in Hartlepool. I used often to walk that way coming back from t’ai chi and quite liked them. They did make a noise though.
Did somebody mention chocolate cake?
LikeLike
I did mention chocolate cake, Jo, and a very splendid one it was too! I like the wind turbines, they have a certain elegance.
LikeLike
😉♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like wind turbines. I never mind features like that. We’ve been sticking stuff on hills fir years and as a walker, if for no other reason, they help orientation. Mind you if hill and mountaintop served chocolate cake then I’d been even keener on walking…
LikeLike
I like them too. They are much more attractive than pylons for example. Sadly, not many British hills have cafes on top. Very remiss 😉
LikeLike
I know. We have these fabulous engineers and they really need to focus on high level catering..m
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤣❣️
LikeLiked by 1 person