Glasgow Gallivanting: November 2023

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River Clyde looking west from Bell’s Bridge
Forth and Clyde Canal at Bowling

I’m opening with a couple of reflective pictures from John’s cycle rides (above). The first is the River Clyde looking towards the Science Centre and Bell’s Bridge. The second is on the Forth and Clyde Canal at Bowling, its western terminus where it empties into the Clyde. And lest anyone feels too sorry for John cycling in such cold weather, this is how he fuels himself.

With a smile of anticipation
Just a wee pancake

Edenmill and Burncrooks

On another lovely sunny day, when John wasn’t cycling, we headed for Stirlingshire for a six mile walk around Burncrooks Reservoir. Conveniently, this starts and finishes at Edenmill Farm Café where we had coffee beforehand and a delicious (latish) lunch afterwards. Edenmill has various activities available (other than eating) including walks with its very cute alpacas. I liked their old tractors too.

Alpacas
Alpacas
Alpaca
Old tractor
Old tractor
Old tractor

The water sparkled and we had good views of the surrounding hills, including a glimpse of Ben Lomond at one point.

Burncrooks Reservoir
Anabel at Burncrooks
John at Burncrooks
Anabel at Burncrooks
Anabel at Burncrooks
Looking towards Ben Lomond

As we left the carpark, the late afternoon sun illuminated Dumgoyne, a prominent hill in the Campsie Fells which is visible for miles around. I’ve compared it here to another shot from John’s cycling escapades (second image below) in very different light.

Dumgoyne from Edenmill
Dumgoyne from Blanefield

Exhibitions

Not every day in November was sparkling so we spent quite a lot of time indoors at various exhibitions. Trongate 103 hosts several galleries, and although we went specifically to view Simon Murphy’s Govanhill at Street Level Photoworks we caught another two interesting exhibitions.

In the foyer we looked at Back doon the watter, photographs by Mandy Edwards (on till 3rd December). Doon the watter, or down the water, refers to the traditional Glasgow holiday of sailing down the Clyde to one of its seaside resorts. Mandy had noticed a return to this kind of “staycation” post lockdowns and sought to document it.

Back Doon the Watter by Mandy Edwards
Back Doon the Watter by Mandy Edwards

This really resonated with me because, although my family never went doon the watter on holiday, we did take day trips when staying with our grandparents in Greenock. And here’s the proof – I’m fairly sure this is summer 1961, in which case I had just turned four.

Doon the watter with Mum
Doon the watter with Dad

Govanhill (on till 27th January) is described as follows:

Simon has been documenting people in this locality for several years with the resulting images giving an insight into one of Scotland’s most diverse areas. Govanhill is a point of arrival for many. Traditionally it has been a place where immigrants arrive in Glasgow and often move on from. It is estimated that 88 languages are spoken in the densely populated area of only 0.33 square miles. It’s a mixing pot of cultures and ethnicities.

Every portrait was stunning, as I hope you can see from the general views below. If you wish you can take a virtual tour of the gallery here.

Govanhill by Simon Murphy
Govanhill by Simon Murphy

The third exhibition we visited, upstairs at the Glasgow Print Studio, was A redder sun by printmaker and staff member Stuart Duffin RSA (run ended). Stuart’s exhibition was very timely. He said:

Although a predominant theme in my work is conflict and resolution I consciously place a heavy emphasis on the resolution aspects as I believe in dialogue, building bridges, not walls, between opposing communities. Peace is not just an absence of political, social or military conflict, but is a complete physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

There was some work relating to Ukraine, but mostly it was based on several residences in Jerusalem, the welfare of which he sees as a barometer to the wellbeing of our own humanity as individuals and as a global society. Given that the exhibition opened on 6th October, the day before Hamas’ attacks began the current conflict, that is a hugely significant statement.

Back to Babylon: the script at the bottom reads “history has shown that repression works only until desperation overcomes fear, then it doesn’t” 

Another day, another two exhibitions, this time at the University of Glasgow’s Hunterian Art Gallery. First a small exhibition by students on the University’s Museum Studies course, The nature of wellbeing, which explores our relationship with nature and how it can inspire us, restore our health, and re-invigorate our minds. I’ve picked out Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s tobacco plant, partly because it’s pretty and partly because of the interesting reflections on the conflict between beauty and harm in the notes, and Duncan Shanks’ Night garden. At first glance the latter can look almost completely abstract but close study reveals the glorious detail of flowers and insects.

Blue and pink tobacco flowers on a green lattice
Exhibition notes
Night garden
Exhibition notes

Then it was upstairs to Stage and screen, a selection of set and costume designs from the collections of James L Gordon (on till 25th February 2024). Just look at the amazing wealth of exhibits below!

Stage & Screen
Stage & Screen
Stage & Screen
Stage & Screen

It would be impossible to do it all justice in one visit, so we might well be back. This time I was particularly drawn to items which reminded me of my youth. Here’s the Jackson Five and former newsreader Angela Rippon. I’m sure all Brits of a certain age will remember her astonishing turn on Morecambe and Wise in the 1970s, and this year she’s been kicking her legs again on Strictly.

Stage & Screen: The Jackson Five
Stage & Screen: Angela Rippon

However, my favourite was this little collection about the Beatles. If you’ve ever wondered about their inside leg measurements, now’s your chance to find out!

Stage & Screen: The Beatles
Stage & Screen: The Beatles
Stage & Screen: The Beatles

Street art

Dancing Wave claims to be Glasgow’s longest mural. Pretty sure that’s true, it’s huge!

Info board
Cutty Sark
Crane
Swans
Fish
Waverley

Below are:

  1. Keep our planet green, sponsored by an energy company, although googling Octopus Energy I see it claims its sources are 100% renewable. This gable end in Cresswell Lane has featured several times with its roster of changing murals.
  2. A woman’s head by Frodrik (who has featured before too) on Trongate.
  3. A take on Glasgow’s statue of Wellington replacing him with a rat (I think) by Rebel Bear who, again, has featured before, as has the site on Argyle Street.
Keep our planet green
Woman’s head by Frodik
Wellington as a rat by Rebel Bear

Miscellaneous gallivanting

Mainly concerts and too much eating out! I don’t know who Chris is, but the penguins seem to like him or her.

RSNO
Happy birthday, Chris
Norah Jones
Scene of the best meal of the month
Horse in a subtle red sparkly suit
Christmas tree opposite Frasers

 

And finally

I was profiled on the Glasgow Women’s Library blog – link below if interested.

Volunteer Profile-Anabel

And although the GWL walks season is over there will be updating and rewriting to do over the winter. I’ve also been attending a series of workshops run by Protests and Suffragettes with the aim of improving the representation of women on Wikipedia. Here I am at the final workshop and at the wrap-up party at the end of the series.

Photo credit: Protests and Suffragettes
Anabel at Protests and Suffragettes Party

Spot the same red shirt in the photo below – because, yes, I went to two parties on the same day. John retires at the end of December and this was one of many events to celebrate.

Anabel and John with Chinese meal and cake

More eating to come in December! I might be ending the year a dress size larger …

Scotland, UK , , ,

59 Comments »

  1. I love all those murals Anabel. It looks jolly cold in your childhood photos, winter coats in July. What a busy life you lead and volunteering as well. It’s good to be busy 🙂

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  3. Another busy month as usual. I love the blue sky pictures of your outings in the region. We are also back from a month in the sunny Arabian Peninsula. Photos are now on the blog if you are interested…(Suzanne)

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  4. Good to hear that John is retiring, you guys will be out Galavanting even more I’m sure! Not sure how he fits work in. 😃
    Your reflection photos are beautiful 😍

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  6. Your photos of the reflections in the Clyde are stunning! It was also really lovely to see the old photos of you with your family. The Stage and Screen exhibition looks fantastic and right up my street. Have a lovely December!

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  10. Boy, this one is chock full!! I noticed the John Muir Way sign and wondered if it referred to the California naturalist. The woman’s head mural appears to be Angelina Jolie. I’d know this lipstick anywhere! I enjoyed the Beatles’ measurements, notably their heights. How exciting for John to retire! And I enjoyed reading your volunteer profile.

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  11. Hi Anabel – an amazing selection of exhibitions promoted by your excellent photos … what a great place to live and to take advantage of. The portraits do look superb, while learning about the inside leg length of the four Beatles … might have excited me a few decades ago – now … well …. you’ll never know!!!!! I love the Dancing Wave mural – looks quite extraordinary and a delight to see as one walks around. Thanks amazing – I have your profile up – off to read now!! Cheers Hilary

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  13. Interesting profile. The Professor retiring – big changes ahead. When I was a boy my dad took me for a trip down the Clyde on the Duchess of Montrose. Sadly I do not remember much about it but I did enjoy the day out with my dad. I miss ” The Dear Green Place”.

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  14. Excellent virtual tour of that gallery. They should do this more often, or perhaps they do and I’m behind the times….as usual. Ah those legs….and I don’t mean the Beatles. 😉

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  15. I loved reading your profile. What an inspiring place to volunteer, but they’re lucky to have you. Those exhibitions all sound good too. Note to self. Get to Glasgow in 2024!

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  16. I can see why John has all the energy to go on his bicycle rides, after filling up on that big breakfast. Congratulations to him on his impending retirement. Very exciting! And I read your volunteer profile. If we ever come to Glasgow I’d love to join one of your history walks.

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  18. Congratulations on John’s retirement!

    As always, I enjoyed vicariously gallivanting through your blog post. The exhibitions look thoroughly interesting and I love the murals. I enjoyed reading your write up on volunteering at GWL. I think you did a superb job of expressing how fulfilling volunteering can be and how much you can get in return for what you give.

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  19. Really good quality gallivanting. I liked John’s pictures and was impressed by his fuelling stop. The exhibitions all look interesting. Sometimes I think that a bit of city life might be quite good fun.

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    • Thanks Tom! The fuelling looked a bit excessive to me, but I guess he was using up lots of energy. City life is definitely fun and where I want to stay, but we don’t have the lovely views you get on your daily walking or cycling. Same old streets here, and though I documented them quite thoroughly in lockdown when there was nothing else to write about I’m less interested now. But that’s what holidays are for!

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  20. I love a bit of a gallivant and you two certainly do it in style. I loved your opening reflections and that Govanhill gallery space is amazing. I twirled around for ages. But then, best for last- John gets to retire finally. More travelling afoot? Have a wonderful December, Anabel.

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  22. What a great round up of yet another busy month. Gorgeous photos and I like the sound of the exhibitions you went to. And yes, flowers are beautiful no matter what we humans decide to use the plant itself for.

    I really love the quote. Isn’t peace what every individual deserves?

    “Peace is not just an absence of political, social or military conflict, but is a complete physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.”

    Have a joyous December and happy retirement to John. I am sure with all the gallivanting you do you can afford to eat well. Oh, and congratulations for being recognised as a volunteer.

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  23. Congratulations on being recognized for what you have been doing for the library. You have been busy seeing many sights. I’d be interested in that Stage and screen one.

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  24. Enjoyed reading your post and finding out all about your volunteering! Thank you for the link to the virtual tour…wish more places had links to their exhibitions.

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  26. I’ve given up the bike now, too old for falling off it, but I did enjoy exploring my surroundings on it over four decades. Liked the fact it opened up entire new areas of quiet and scenic minor road clusters within a 50 mile radius of home.
    … or travel by car to cycle new places UK wide. As John is enjoying now by the looks of it. Still a great invention the humble bike. Hope he enjoys his well earned retirement. Bob BSS.

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  27. Your reflection photos are so beautiful and so is the Glasgow’s longest mural. I’d love to see it one day. Thanks for sharing, and may you experience nothing but everlasting joy in December 🙂 Aiva xx

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  28. I always enjoy your monthly round-ups and especially your reflections on the various exhibitions you’ve been to. Both the photo ones appeal to me, as does Stage and screen. And I love the street art piece by Frodrik! Have a great December and enjoy the feasting 🙂

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