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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