Glasgow Gallivanting: June 2024 (1)

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C’mon Scotland!

The image above was taken on the opening day of the Euros, at the end of which Scotland’s football (soccer) team was comprehensively beaten 5-1 by Germany. Things did not improve, and Scotland was eliminated at the earliest possible point. But nice try, Penguins! If enthusiastic support counted we would have won.

Fortunately, we had a more successful month – a busy one. I always say that, but June was exceptionally busy with two sets of visitors. So this is Part 1, with our regular gallivanting. Part 2, and possibly even Part 3, with our activities with the visitors, will follow in due course.

Culture first. We went to two concerts – Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, chosen by John, and Marianne McGregor and Brain Kellock, chosen by me. That was part of the Glasgow Jazz Festival, a much more intimate gig and definitely the one I preferred.

Nick Mason and band at the Armadillo
Marianne McGregor and Brian Kellock

Our way to and from both concerts took us through the Kelvin Way. One of the statues on the bridge was wearing nifty headgear, and I was pleased to see the progress of the Suffrage Oak, so badly storm damaged in 2017 but now looking quite lush again.

Copying the Duke
June 2024

Other things spotted around town include street art, interesting brickwork in a local café, and an unusually clear glimpse, because the gates were open, of the Mackintosh extension to North Park House. The GlaIKIT sign (if you know, you know) is, I think, one of several April Fools jokes from a few years ago but I’ve never noticed this one before.

Floral art spotted across the river
Brickwork arch
Kelvinside brick
Mackintosh extension
Great Glasgow Potato Prohibition
Music venue street art

The last image above celebrates various Glasgow music venues and is painted on the side wall of a chip shop, Lord of Fries. Now I do appreciate a pun, but I really think this one should be Lord of the Flies. I prefer the Codfather in Maryhill.

Lord of Fries
Codfather, Maryhill

There have been many cycles, and John is out adding to the total as I type. He contributed some street art photographs from the Sports Hub in Alexandra Park from where one of his cycling groups starts its rides.

Deer and cyclist
Golf mural
Bike centre

Just a few other views from his vast selection – the new cruise ship Queen Anne at Greenock, a nice picnic spot at Glendaruel, the Titan crane and some interesting reflections in Clydebank, and Highland Mary gazing over Dunoon.

Queen Anne at Greenock
Lunch view in Glendaruel
Titan Crane
Clydebank reflections
Highland Mary

Finally in Part 1, John has been to Belfast again for the end of year session of a collaboration between Queen’s and Glasgow Universities. As he had been a large part of this until he retired in December he was invited to attend. What he didn’t know was that I had been asked to provide photographs of the early part of his career for a celebration and presentation. I went right back to school days, but shall spare his blushes by not including the selection here!

Celebrating Professor John Marsh
Queen’s Belfast – main building

Because of a camera malfunction we lost our photographs of Queen’s when we were there in April, so John was instructed to come back with some new ones. It is spectacular, as you can see above.

So here ends Part 1, our regular gallivanting. The places we took our visitors will follow soon(ish).

Scotland, UK ,

50 Comments »

  1. Hi Anabel – I’m glad John is well trained – and was able to bring back some new photos … I’d love to see the tribute photos – but realise that’s not an option! Looks like lots of fun was had by one and all – cheers Hilary

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  3. The street art with the Stag is lovely. Also the statue with the cone actually looks quite jaunty!

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  5. There’s always so much to enjoy in your posts that I’m never quite sure what part to comment on! But I do enjoy “going along” on your adventures, and seeing so much of a country I haven’t yet been able to visit. Aside from the historical buildings, I especially like the street art!

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  7. A fascinating mix as always. I think I saw that cone perched very high on a statue in central Glasgow – so high that I would not have thought it possible! 🙂

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  8. “The Dear Green Place” has changed so much since we left over 40 years ago. Crookston and Cardonald I probably wouldn’t recognise now. I understand part of Crookston has changed but I think Cardonald is pretty much the same

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  11. The GlaIKIT sign is just my sort of joke. I particularly liked the final sentence. I have always enjoyed listening to Brian Kellock. Jazz concerts seem to have dried up entirely in our area.

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  13. Do not know where you both get the energy and drive from. Even if I had the money I’ve always been happy with just a couple of days out a week, content to watch TV or read a book or other stuff the rest of the time. I’ve always been that way so maybe driven people attract other driven people. Doing what Carol does, a mountain every day, or the recommenced 10,000 steps per day, is my worst nightmare 🙂 Even if I get to live longer doing it. Bob. BSS.

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    • It’s a very rare day when I don’t get out at all. Mountains are not my thing these days, they never were much, but I mostly get in 10,000 steps, usually more. But then in the evening I fall asleep and am too tired to read or watch TV, so we are opposites!

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  15. You can’t keep a man from his chips! Fancy banning potatoes
    After looking through your lovely photos of Glasgow I need to give Glasgow another chance one day! During our very brief two days there it rained almost non stop and Anthony was very unwell with w cold.

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  16. You do make Glasgow very appealing, the tourist board should employ you. And yay to see the penguins again! The potato ban was very funny! And yes, I agree, it should be Lord of the Fries. (And have you ever had a deep fired mars bar?)

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  19. I always enjoy your Glasgow gallivants – apart from being interesting in their own right I also like seeing the parallels with our life in London (right down to the cycling husband!) I sympathise with those no-doubt disappointed penguins. The Scottish support in Germany looked fantastic too – if fans won football matches. Scotland would still be in the tournament for sure! And the less said about England the better (writing before today’s last 16 match btw)

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  21. The deer mural is lovely. Never been to Greenock but it looks a pleasant spot. Our friends in Obidos have one partner who cycles and one who doesn’t. Keeps life interesting 🤗💙

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