Glasgow Gallivanting: December 2025

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Old School, Howick, Northumberland

I hope everyone has had a good Christmas / New Year and is now ready to tackle 2026!

The cottage on the left above, a former Victorian school room, was our home for a week over Christmas. The village of Howick is a few minutes walk from the Northumberland Coast Path and we had some wonderful walks along it. It was a lovely, peaceful time about which I’ll write soon.

The rest of the month was slightly unusual. Of course, we had our fair share of lunches and dinners with friends and family, but for two weeks we lived with workmen tramping in and out and plaster dust everywhere. On the 8th of December, this happened:

Bathroom refurb – the beginning

We have removed a bath which we never used and created a utility room. Just before Christmas was not great timing – originally we had planned October / November but for various reasons on both sides this slipped. However, the plumbers left on Friday 19th, just in time for us to go away on the 20th. As I write there are still finishing touches to complete, so maybe more pictures next time.

I don’t have a huge amount new from my wanderings around Glasgow. Before we leave the subject of Christmas, here’s a lovely post box topper in Partickhill. I was lucky – I happened to pass just as it was in process of being attached so was able to compliment the maker in person.

Post box topper December 2025
Post box topper December 2025

The Glasgow penguins put in a rare appearance and seem to have had a good Christmas too – though I’m not convinced this is the original family, they look a bit roughly modelled. (However, see the PS).

Christmas gift
Christmas tree

I’ve been meaning to walk down Clouston Street for a while to view two new blue plaques at Number 4 which were unveiled in November. These honour the Scottish Colourist JD Fergusson and his partner Margaret Morris, dancer and choreographer, who lived here from 1939. I was particularly pleased that Margaret Morris got her own plaque and was not just a footnote on Fergusson’s.

Plaques to JD Fergusson and Margaret Morris
Plaques to JD Fergusson and Margaret Morris

On the same walk I spotted another plaque which I’ve never noticed before. The Wyndford is a typical 1960s housing estate, parts of which were demolished earlier this year. I’m surprised to learn it won a design award back in the day. I’ve always liked the stylish signage though.

Saltire Award 1968
Street signs

John had a few cycles around the holiday period. I particularly like these atmospheric shots near Carbeth Loch.

Near Carbeth Loch
Near Carbeth Loch

Finally, I usually look at my stats for the previous year at the beginning of January. This year they are meaningless – and I know I’m not alone in this – because of bot activity which has made some months ridiculously high. However, the main thing is that you, my dear blogging friends, continue to visit, like, and comment, and I thank you for that. Here’s to more of the same in 2026!

PS On New Year’s Day I passed the penguins again and they wished me a Happy New Year while indulging in a bit of ceilidh dancing. These, I am sure, are the genuine article.

New Year shenanigans

Finally, finally (must stop adding to this!) – I’m joining in with Natalie’s new Monthly Wrap-Up link-up.

 

Scotland, UK ,

47 Comments »

  2. I love the ceilidh dancing penguins and the postbox topper. The cottage in Howick looks delightful. I’m looking forward to reading about your time in Northumberland when you get around to writing it up 🙂

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  4. I am very happy to keep following your blog, Anabel.
    It was wonderful that Margaret Morris got to have her own plaque, and the penguins wished you Happy New Year🐧

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  5. I look forward to the final remodel pics. How nice to meet the artistic creator of the post box topper. I had a similar experience a couple days ago that will show up in one of my Artful Durango posts this year. I like that you go away for the Christmas holiday. We’ve done that a number of times in the past. I think it’s time to revive it.

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  7. The post box topper and penguins are adorable. I hope your bathroom refurb is going well. I look forward to hearing more about your stay in Howick. Thank you for linking up, Anabel.

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  8. That’s a nice post box cover. And penguins. I can’t get a handle on the page views either 129,000 one month a while ago and no idea why. It wasn’t all that spectacular a set of posts that particular month either, which makes me suspicious. Bob. BSS.

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  11. Looks like a great place to stay over Christmas…look forward to reading about your walks. Post box toppers are such fun…so many talented knitters around! Thank you for the reference to JD Fergusson, Wiki filled me in about his life and work…very interesting.

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  18. Ha, the lovely penguins; so good to see them again as they put a smile on my face.

    We had a quiet Christmas and New Year with some visits with friends and family…looking forward to leaving the cold of winter behind to explore a new country in Feb…(Suzanne)

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  19. I remember when we had our bathroom done and don’t envy you that mess and chaos, especially at this time of year! But a stay in Howick does sound delightful and I was pleased to see the New Year penguins back to their usual elegant selves after those rather rough and ready imposters!

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  20. Not great timing for a major bathroom refurb, I hope it was worth all the mess – I’m looking forward to seeing pics of the end result. It’s good that you could get away for Christmas though, I hope you had a lovely time. Nice to see the penguins, old and new, and the post box topper looks lovely.

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