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.

MUSIC PLAYED BY HUMAN BEINGS IN REAL TIME

Milngavie Music International Concert Series has now held their first four concerts of the season. That leaves five left to go (one a month from January 2026 until April 2026). Where do the years go? I have been producing these concert posters for about 9 years!

The musicians or their agents send me or tell me where to go on the internet to find images and then I take it from there. Over the years the technology has improved a lot.  Most musicians are able to provide professional images (very impressive!) but some still send me something taken on their iPhone when they have 'artfuly' arranged themselves by, say, a rusty railway line or somewhere in a concerte underpass.

Here are the first four:

It's quite fun to do and I always have a bit of a laugh when they eventually turn up in person and I can see that their hair is now salt and peppery and their faces are a bit more 'characterful'!

PEOPLE GATHER, OBSERVE, WAIT AS HISTORY UNFOLDS

This has been a week of official mourning in the UK for The Queen.  It has been marked by 24 hour television coverage of people filing into Westminster Hall to pay their last respects. 

The scale of the turnout, and also the sincerity, has been a bit of a surprise.  What is being played out globally, it would appear, is a very British cultural feature: queuing!  

And not just standing in line but doing it stoically for hours and hours!  I guess that is another cultural marker: the stiff upper lip.  People have spoken about their various reasons. for example, stating  "She did her job for all those years; it won't hurt for me to do mine."

I think also there is a collectiveness and connectedness about all of this public display of feeling.  Everyone lays flowers (nowadays it's done a lot at the site of accidents, tragedies) at the entrance of various royal residences. With social media nowadays public displays in this way are immediate and they grow and grow into carpets of flowers with cards, toys and the like. 

the Imperial State Crown 

the Scottish Crown

Following the Act of the Union in 1707, when Scotland and England's parliaments were joined, the Scottish crown jewels, which now had no ceremonial role, were locked away and forgotten about – so much so that they were eventually thought lost.

It wasn't until over a century later that the famous novelist, Sir Walter Scott, rediscovered the Honours, directing a team of workmen to prise open an old wooden chest they had found in one of Edinburgh Castle's strong rooms. Inside were the crown, the sceptre and the sword – which is thought to have been snapped in two to help smuggle it out – and several other items including a mysterious silver wand.

* * * * * * * * * 

Preparations for State Funeral next week

At  our Sunday meal, I asked the children how they found out The Queen had died. "On social media".  Did they have an assembly at school for either the death of the Queen being announced or a statement about the accession of The King.  "No".  

Did they know the first line of the national anthem?  "As Mairi pointed out "They don't know what that is."

I pointed out how the wording has now changed as I attempt to recite (no singing with this bunch) the lines illustrating the point. We did manage a toast saying "God Save the King' but, due to the general lack of interest on all sides we quickly moved on... and things continued to deteriorate...

Ishbel's lovely walnut and carrot cake (made earlier in the day) in the above picture shows how it started out as Spiderman Cake but got turned into a crown with 3 lit candles. (My idea was to attempt some sort of 'memorable occasion'.)  Lighting the candles started out with matches which wouldn't light when the side of the box was struck and ended with Harriet (9) and Ellie (7) squabbling over whose turn it was to blow them out.  

I spoke to a few folk in the Glasgow area while out and about and they are in the same camp as Iain "Can't be bothered with it all." "Ya canny get anything on the TV because of all they programmes etc etc "

So it seems I am the only person around who is enjoying the colour and the pageantry,  the  processions, the ceremonies, the rehearsals at 2 am, the programmes about protocol, historical parallels.

George VI funeral

Well, I would, wouldn't I!!!!  Being a Colonial transplanted here 55 years  ago I am in awe of the history, the tradition, the rituals of all of this!  Born and raised in a community where everyone came from somewhere else (in my case: grandparents - 3 from England and 1 from Scotland) for many people whatever their background there was a strong pull to their origins.  My grandparents went to Canada in the 1910-20's. They, and to a lesser extent, my parents', related very strongly to 'The Old Country'. No they were not poor nor displaced (DPs - displaced people - as they were called) but they still had ties which were strong.

Where they settled was a 'young country'; people often didn't know much about their forebears (for good and bad reasons!).  In this country it is different; it's an 'old' country i.e. it is possible to trace forbears for generations.  

In Scotland these days displaced people are now settling here. But most Scots I know are from families who go back for generations. They don't have ties (including symbols, rituals) to some other place; it is simply not part of their experience.   (Actually, in Scotland history records how things were the other way around: being cleared off the land in the mid 19th century the displaced Scots went to Canada, and Australia, New Zealand etc and settled.)

And so, thinking of the Queen whose funeral is early next week, the only thing to do now is ....

 

PROCLAMATION OF NEW KING ON THE THRONE & THE SCOTTISH OATH

It was with great interest that I watched the ceremony where Prince Charles is officially proclaimed monarch.  While he automatically becomes King on the death of his mother it has to be confirmed in an Accession Council* Ceremony. (This is usually done within 24 hours of the death of the monarch.)

This took place today in St James Palace, London where 200 (out of 700) invited members of the Privy Council gathered [These are the people called 'Right Honorable']  The monarch is not present. Those present included 6 former Prime Ministers, along with leaders of various religious orders and Prince William and Camilla. Apparently Nicola Sturgeon was invited as part of the 200.

First they state formally that the monarch has died then they state or 'proclaim' the person who is to 'accede'  The proclamation is then signed by Prince William, Camilla (and others). Then everyone moved to the throne room where the new King joins them.

The King makes his personal declaration to serve the country starting with  the   words....

I, Charles the Third, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of My other Realms and Territories, King, Defender of the Faith

This was followed by another oath that was required him to promise to uphold the Protestant faith of Scotland by declaring it entirely independent.  This dates back to a time when Catholic Europe was seen as an existential threat to Britain. It promises to protect the security of the Church of Scotland which, unlike in England, is separate from the state*.

Here it is in full.  (Note the wording in line 7!)

I understand that the Law requires that I should, at My Accession to the Crown, take and subscribe the Oath relating to the Security of the Church of Scotland.  I am ready to do so at this first opportunity.

I, Charles the Third, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of My other Realms and Territories, King, Defender of the Faith, do faithfully promise and swear that I shall inviolably maintain and preserve the Settlement of the true Protestant Religion as established by the Laws made in Scotland in prosecution of the Claim of Right and particularly by an Act intituled “An Act for securing the Protestant Religion and Presbyterian Church Government” and by the Acts passed in the Parliament of both Kingdoms for Union of the two Kingdoms, together with the Government, Worship, Discipline, Rights and Privileges of the Church of Scotland.

So help me God.

In every part of the country now there are plans in place for local proclamations to be made, i.e. the Proclamation of Accession is read out (as it would have been done in the old days as it would be the only way people would get to know about it).

And now the new words of the nation anthem  ...  'God Save The King'

Another new practice:  television cameras filmed the event

 __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

*The accession council first met in 1603 after Elizabeth I died without a child. Since then, it meets as soon as possible after the death of a sovereign.

**  What about his position regarding the rest of the UK? Apparently he will make a similar oath in front of Parliament, promising to assume the role of the head of the Church of England. 

THE SECOND ELIZABETHAN ERA HAS ENDED - TAKE A MOMENT TO RECORD A POINT IN TIME

The Queen died this afternoon.  It was announced at 6:30 pm this evening.  We had just finished our evening meal and, having lit the fire, we moved into the living room and switched on the TV news. It came as a slight surprise as it was only in the early afternoon that the media stated that there was 'grave concern' about her.  Also at that time it was noticed that plane arrivals at Aberdeen Airport were bringing various members of the royal family. 

She died peacefully at Balmoral Castle later in the afternoon. (Only 48 hours previously she had received the new Prime Minister Liz Truss.  Photos of that meeting show The Queen to have lost weight and, certainly, she was looking frail.)

For most people they have known no other monarch. Everyone has their stories and memories: those who met her or were influenced by her, those who couldn't be bothered with her and all she stood for (of which Iain is one).  As a Colonial transplanted to this country I am a horse of a different colour!  And there I shall leave the topic!

As it is a historic day I wish to record, albeit in a rather haphazard way, what I was doing today. I certainly recall what I was doing on other momentous occasions e.g. Lady Diana's death. After that I will do the same with Iain and the grandchildren. It's simply a snapshot before we move on with our busy (or not so busy)  lives.

STARTING WITH ME:   

As usual I started the day with my usual hour of morning piano practice - trying to jazz up Bach. Then having made my packed lunch I headed off the to Balloch Park tree-planting activities in which I am involved twice a month.  It's down by Loch Lomond (40 minute drive).  I was out all day clearing sites of grassland before mowers moved in and then building bird boxes from scrap timber.  IKEA: look to your laurels!  (A note to myself: I drove D to the bus station half way through - hope he feels better soon.)

Took this photo of a leaf from the tree next to where I usually park.  It is Red Oak.  Also the first signs of colour are now appearing in the avenue of trees at the entrance of the park.

While dinner was cooking this evening I finished off the damson chutney I had started last night.  It's been a few years since I've done any of this.  Iain likes the bought stuff so I simply made a batch by copying the ingredients on the label. I managed to track down damsons at Christies independent butchers at Bearsden Cross. Results are a success.

IAIN AND THE GRANDCHILDREN:

Iain:  Last week he gave a Zoom talk to an engineering group in New Zealand.  He said it was weird talking to a screen where there was no feedback from a live audience.  Earlier this week he gave a Zoom talk to the Orkney Science Festival audience.  Topic:  energy (I think).

The children: just some observations gleaned from the past few days.

[1] Ellie (7 years) On Tuesday Ellie had a very early morning start with us (not something that regularly happens) as Mairi had a long day in Edinburgh with work.  I tried  Ellie with 'soldiers' toast and a boiled egg (which I used to do with the others when much younger).... "Yuk" says Ellie!.... Oh well.....

She spent some time showing me her 'diacritical markings' which she is learning just now!  Good heavens! I had to look up what she was talking about! The photo shows her working.  I hope her teacher  appreciates what a great job she is doing with this Little Person!  We also had a short session at the Craft Table thinking up original items to draw and colour in.  As I had her on her own I tried to get her to use the castanets to keep time when I played the piano; she's musical. Oh yes, I took to her gym class at the Allander.  Again, she's a wee star at cartwheels etc.

[2] Ishbel [15 years] is learning Othello this year (5th year). They've been shown the movie and then they study the play.  She asked if she could do some cooking with me this Sunday. We've a couple of ideas to do with cake decorating and baking either bread or scones - she hoovers up both!   We always have a bit of a laugh and call it our Test Kitchen because things don't usually go to plan.

[3] Alastair [14 years] goes out walking with Iain at least once a week after school, usually Tuesdays.  He is nearly my height and gives me a hand with digging in the garden these days as I am trying to clear bamboo roots which have spread.  He reads our TLS [Times Literary Supplement] every time he plops himself down at the kitchen table.  He is in 4th year and vaguely thinking he might look at studying history and archeology but basically no strong pull in any particular direction.  He and Iain chew over ideas and Alastair now expresses some of these without having to be prodded - impressive!

[4] Harriet [9 years] is very switched on, organised but takes ages to get moving! She's always been very 'together' and likes things done properly. I have to watch myself, e.g. during lockdown I was turning the pages of her reading book by licking my finger to turn the page.  "Grandma! You can't do that! You'll pick up/spread germs!"  Of course, she's quite right.  Also she checks me if I show any sign that girls can't do jobs that boys do.  [Ishbel is the same] If I need someone to lift something heavy, dig, pull etc and ask Alastair they point out that girls can do that job equally as well.  (M-m-m-m-m ... this is a difficult one!  I have to tread carefully!)

She eats anything and everything (unlike the others) but eats one item at a time on her plate... so I have resolved to avoid serving peas now as she takes ages as she singles each one out to be speared before finally putting it in her mouth!

She's now back into her grey school uniform which, as it happens, matches her grey eyes. She has (always had) long hair down to her waist and wouldn't countenance any change to that. Sigh....

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

And lastly we were out to have a meal with B and M last weekend. It has been ages what with B recovering from his car accident and the rest of us being mindful that Covid is still about.

M always lays a lovely table and a fine bottle of wine. She had prepared a meal of ostrich  and stroganoff sauce.  Iain and I were a little anxious about staying late after dinner as the light was fading. Both of us don't see so well to drive in the fading light or darkness so we reckon we really only want to be going out for meals during daylight hours. 

As they say nowadays "The nights are drawing in!". In 3 weeks the daylight will be deteriorating earlier as we pass the equinox and head into autumn and winter.

Meanwhile back in London....

WEEK 90 CORONAVIRUS: OMIVARIANT NOW DOMINANT / DOSE OF CULTURE

We managed a 24 hour trip to Millport to attend a 'do' by a friend of ours who has restored an 1832 'square' piano.  Three of us travelled by car (to avoid train carriages and ferry passenger areas).

We enjoyed an hour's concert of square piano, harpsichord, oboe playing. This was followed by drinks and cake afterwards.  10 of us sat down to a lovely meal in the refectory... cooked by chef Angela.  Such a treat!

The event was held just in time as (was increasingly becoming evident) new restrictions are due to be put in place due to the rapid spread of the Omicron virus.  We are now awaiting new announcements for legally binding or simply suggestions as to the next stage.  

WEEK 88 CONONAVIRUS: THE AT HOME AND THE GLOBAL PICTURE

An assessment was done by the Scottish government to assess whether to introduce stricter lockdown measures.  At the moment we are masking wearing and social distancing with hygiene measures in place in public places, schools, offices etc.  So the long and short of it is that no further measures will be added i.e. no passport necessary for pubs and restaurants, but other concerts, discos etc will require evidence of vaccination.

We had a concert locally last week with masks being worn, a shorter programme with a short interval, social distancing, restricted ticket sales.  It was all fine.  People (most retired) were comfortable with that.

In December our local lad, Ryan and his teacher, Gjordje are going to play.  Interest is good and ticket sales are healthy.

* * * * * * * * * * MIGRANT CRISIS * * * * * * * * * 

Mid week tragedy happened in The Channel as 27 migrants drown when their inflatable boat deflated.  Women and children among the bodies washed up on the beaches.

In the meantime....

An ever increasing problem is finding a solution to the survivors who made it. Working with French border controls and political pressures on both sides, have been causing a lot of hurdles.  Meanwhile Calais has ever increasing make-shift camps with people in tents in winter weather, and in the UK admission centres  receiving migrants are facing the job of where to put the shear numbers of human cargo used by criminal gangs making a lucrative trade across the globe.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * NEW VARIANT * * * * * * * * * * 

Further worries: South African, which appears to have excellent lab facilities for 'genome sequencing' i.e. analysis that identifies a virus's genetic make-up, allowing new variants or mutations in existing variants to be detected.  There has been an announcement by them of a new variant which has a very much increased transmissibility.  Pathogenicity, of course, is still unknown.  There are always variants emerging; the problem is flagging up ones 'of concern' [WHO terminology]. It was 2 weeks from first identify it that the announcement was made (i.e. they realised there was something worrying here. It just takes that long.)

South Africa has lots of experience due to the prevalence of the HIV virus.  It's a pity, however, that once the alarm was raised (very socially responsible of them), it has been a case of 'shoot the messenger', i.e. all travel to South Africa stopped with no prior warning.  Lots of stories of people being stuck there or, if they come back, they will have to pay for hotel to be isolated for 2 weeks.  Methinks the virus has already been circulating; it just hasn't been classified.  

WEEK 52: CORONAVIRUS ANNIVERSARY AND OTHER NEWS

I am reminded in the newspapers that UK and Scottish government announcements officially proclaimed the start of Lockdown on this day one year ago.  

People visiting family in Care Homes were no longer allowed, shops, hairdressers, gyms, sports of all kinds, restaurants and pubs closed not knowing how long this situation was going to last.

Where was I  on Friday March 12th a year ago? Our second last Music Appreciation class of the year took place in one of the rooms in New Kilpatrick Church Hall.  We broke for coffee at half time to find that the ladies were not putting out the usual fare.  The news was that all church and other public buildings were too close.  And so, regretfully, we in the class saw the writing on the wall... and unanimously agreed that this was our last class for 2020.  No whip 'round for Alastair, our teacher.  I took his 2 large speakers home in their box,  as was my habit, and they are still sitting under my desk today, a whole year later!

Other March 13th anniversaries are in the news this weekend: The Clydebank Blitz of 80 years ago [March 14, 1941]; the Dunblane Shooting of 16 Primary School children (and injuring 15) and one teacher was 25 years ago.

Earlier this week has had a lot about the Royals in the news with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry being interviewed on American television.

For those of us who are older and/or are aware of the history of the British Royals know that the Queen has been down this road before...and seen much worse behaviour. 

So for the Queen... it seems to have been a Bad Day at the Office... time to Carry On Regardless.  (Last night's TV news showed her on a Zoom call to a Science Festival group about the recent Mars landing.)

I can't help but notice that now, at the end of the week the news items focus on Chat Show Host behaviour, i.e. the media commentariat slagging off each other.  Yawn....

CORONAVIRUS WEEK 29 OF LOCKDOWN - RISING NUMBERS WITH STUDENTS GIVING PROBLEMS

This post did not get posted in the sequence so here it is now. The pandemic situation has been worsening, not dramatically, but slow and steadily.  It appears it is to do with he student population.  To be expected, I suppose. now that universities have gone back.

Mairi, Iain and wee Ellie showing what she bought at Gavin's Mill for him (chutney).  Mairi purchased this lovely rug which I had long admired as it hung on the stone wall of the cafe but lately in the stairwell.

This sign was in the shop window of MacFarlane's in Balfron. With other customers we waited outside the shop in a queue until the one and only customer allowed is was served.  That's the bad news; the good news is that I went to this lovely old fashioned ironmongers with a list of things that one can no longer buy locally (clothes pegs, electrical tape, paring knife) and got everything I went for!  Like so many ironmongers it is an Aladdin's Cave and the lady - mother and daughter - were really helpful.  None of this "Have you checked on on-line?" as soon as you ask an assistant a question! Giving service is not one of Britain's strong points and it is now worse as on-line shopping is becoming more used whether by choice or necessity.

I tried to make Parkerhouse Rolls this week in a fit of bread-making on a wet Sunday.  They turned out more like ship's biscuits!  These rolls were very much something my mother would make for her bridge nights or perhaps they would appear at Christmastime as 'dinner rolls'.  As 2 of the folk who eat my bread offering are having problems with their dentures I wanted to make these very soft little rolls or buns.  Next time I will make a richer dough and not overcook them so they dry out.

BOOK - THE MAN IN THE RED COAT by JULIAN BARNES

I recently bought a book because of the cover. It is The Man in the Red Coat by Julian Barnes, published by Jonathan Cape,  October 2019. It is about a French Surgeon, Soldier and Socialite, Dr Samuel-Jean Pozzi (1846 - 1918).

The Man in the Red Coat is published by Jonathan Cape

It's a great read as William Doyle in the TLS states "Barnes is steeped in French literature"  and the full TLS article is here.

The Painting:  Barnes talks about how he first came across this painting and for all that he knew a lot about French artists and writers he had never come across this man, Dr Pozzi, who was based in Paris.

He starts out telling about the story of the painting.  

The original painting by John Singer Sargent, Dr. Pozzi at Home, 1881

In 1881 John Singer Sargent, then 25 and based in Paris, submitted his first portrait to the Royal Academy. Entitled Dr Pozzi at Home, it was a full-length study of a young, bearded man in a long crimson robe in front of a set of luxuriant burgundy velvet curtains. The sensual, sanguinary colour scheme seemed made for the subject. 

The Man:  

He enjoyed great celebrity in the Parisian belle epoque, was a society surgeon, a world-renowned pioneer of gynaecology, and an equally notorious womaniser... " a man of prodigious abilities and flagrant infidelities".. very handsome, well connected and very serious in his profession.  (He visited Glasgow to see Lister to see the work he was doing in relation to surgical asepsis.)

"Pozzi lived a life among a vivid circle of artists and libertines, including the irrepressible aesthete Count Robert de Montesquiou, (known by his friend Marcel Proust as 'the professor of beauty'), his sometime enemy the wolfish scandal-monger, writer and duellist Jean Lorrain, and a revolving cast of friends and sparring partners including the free-loving Bernhardt and Oscar Wilde, Sargent and James MacNeill Whistler."

The Book: 
Basically, it is a collection of stories with lots of parenthetical asides which I quite enjoyed. I also had to look up a few words which certainly opened my eyes to the more unusual aspects of French life, e.g. duels, marriage arrangements, which were part of 'normal' life and which perplex the non-French! 

Julian Barnes gives examples of French writers, artists, 'dandies' at that time who crossed back and forth between Paris and London at the end of the 19th Century, those who were aspiring to be English and vice-versa.  Think of Oscar Wilde (although he is not English).  Pozzi moved in these circles, was 'everywhere'.

Link to Guardian article by Tim Adams is. here.

The Surgeon:
Pozzi’s career takes off during the surgical innovation that followed the relatively recent discoveries of anaesthesia (1840s) and antisepsis (1860s) particularly in the field of gynaecology. He was widely admired by patients and colleagues in his own time.

Laparotomy operation at the Broca hospital, Paris, 1901. Prof. Pozzi is standing forefront, on the right of patient.

* * * * * * * ** and while we are here * * * * * * * * * 

The Diva and the Doctor God: Letters from Sarah Bernhardt to Doctor Samuel Pozzi by Caroline de Costa and Francesca Miller,  Xlibris, Corp. (28 Oct. 2010)

Summary of this book:

The great French actress Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923) conducted an affair with her doctor, gynecologist Samuel Pozzi (1846-1918) in the decade before he married. They remained friends, and she always called him her Docteur Dieu (doctor god).

The handsome physician was a leading light in French gynecology and in the Paris arts community.

At first happy, Pozzi’s marriage degenerated into coldness, but his wife would not grant him a divorce. He then established a long-standing, public relationship with Emma Fischhof. During the Dreyfus affair, which unmasked the horror of entrenched anti-Semitism in France, physician and actress both fought against the ill treatment of the Jewish officer.

In 1915 and at Sarah’s insistence, Pozzi amputated her painful leg. Three years later, he was shot and killed by a disgruntled and delusional patient who blamed him for a minor illness.