MID-FEBRUARY CATCH-UP

It's been a pleasantly busy couple of weeks.  Here are some photos by way of a round up.

Alastair, Indy, Melanie, her sister and son plus Luna in the foreground.  I like this photo.  It turned out to be a useable size for a jigsaw.  I have now order one and look forward to putting it out on the coffee table in front of the fire and enjoying some post-dinner time in the 'Quiet Zone'.

I bought myself a waffle make about Christmastime.  Last week I had a friend with me for the day (to give his wife a break) and I have discovered a really good way of spinning out the time we have together by making and eating waffles together.  Upon explaining this joyous experience to his wife at the end of the day I found myself saying "Well it comes from years of trying to amuse children on the boat ... (think: 101 way to do things with bread dough!)... when we still had hours to go before arriving in port!

Another Spiderman cake.  This time for Ellie whose birthday was in January and Alastiar whose birthday is early February.  Secret: one Marks and Spencer cake mix with loads of Mary Berry ganache (1:1 melted chocolate and cream).  Oh, and loads of Smarties!

Alastair blowing out his candles; a Rembrant moment.

February concert in Milngavie: the Dudok Quartet from Amsterdam.

January concert in Milngavie: Tom Poster, piano and Elena Urioste, violin.

Good feedback on recent concerts.

JANUARY 2026 CULTURAL ROUND-UP

A busy time socially... with Celtic Connections events and then a nod to Robbie Burns on January 25th.

[1] Piping at Celtic Connections 2026.

I was the guest of Scott Bennet when we attened the Gordon Duncan Tribute Pipe Band concert at the Royal Glasgow Concert Hall January 17th.  It was packed!  Piping is alive and well I am glad to see!

Vale of Atholl Pipe Band and Pipe Major Iain Duncan

Both photos by John Slavin/Design Folk Ltd

Piping event Glasgow 2026

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HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026

The year has turned and with it Ishbel has now had her 19th birthday.  She's now in second year at Stirling University being trained to be a paramedic.

She has a car and this is my AI effort to make her a birthday card.

Ellie, Alastair and Harriet were in Edinburugh during the Christmas break.  Here they are at one of our family faviourite spots at the east end of George Street.  The fellow seated on the pedestal is James Clerk Maxwell, with his dog at his feet.  This sculpture is the one which Iain was involved in getting commissioned about 25 years ago.  Jamie Stoddart is the sculptor.  We attended the unveiling along with other good folk of Edinburgh and beyond.  Every time any of us are in Edinburgh we pass by Himself on his plinth and give the wee dog a pat.

And here are the threesome on another occasion in Edinburgh over Christmastime.

Ellie has now had her 11th birthday.  This is another AI bit of art. 

The birthday girl with her rainbow hat.  Mairi in the background.

Alastair who is at Andrews University is still with us during most of January because his classes haven't gone back yet.   These 'ancient' universities operate differently from the others. The academic year is called a session and

"is divided into two main semesters named after traditional Scottish Term and Quarter Days: the Martinmas semester (Setptember to December) and the Candlemass semester (January to May)."

He was back home the week before Christmas and back to classes this week which stated on Monday January 26th.  It will be May before the next break.

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CHRSITMAS ROUND-UP 2025

John's mother, Margaret, visited Glasgow for Christmas.  Here she is with Ellie on her right, me, Harriet and Ishbel.  We had been treated to lunch by John out at Mugdock Park.

* * * * * * * * * * The Turkey * * * * * * * * * * 

A real turkey from a real butcher (yes, we still have one)!

Sage and onion stuffing which I make using my mother's method. Happiness for me is having cold turkey and stuffing sandwiches afterwards!

The turkey with some bay leaves from the garden plus Jamie Oliver's 'take' on dinner rolls at Christmastime. (Rosemary twigs placed in the Christmas tree shape dough.)

Young Alastair carving the turkey.