Caffe Nero Work...

After visiting Kelvingrove Museum, we had a couple of quieter days. I worked, and Candace and the children explored more of Glasgow, including the local library. The sun showed itself, albeit briefly, during these beautiful days in Glasgow.

Riaan and I spent a lot of time together, visiting the closest Caffe Nero. This coffee shop became one of my favourite places to frequent during our visit. It was quiet and clean and allowed me to focus on my work. While I worked, Riaan sat reading his Famous Five book.

Seabirds on the Clyde River.

A family of swans sails past the Squiggly Bridge.

My sister has seen this same family of swans on many occasions, watching them grow up. :)

Approaching the Squiggly Bridge on a beautiful day!

On the same bridge several days later. It was blowing a gale!

Our favourite coffee shop. :)

Good selection of drinks and snacks. Made us miss quiet coffee shops.

Riaan focuses on his novel. :)

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum...

We went to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on the afternoon of Tuesday, 17th December. There were many reasons for returning to this beautiful place - the 13h00 organ recital, as well as the Supermarine Spitfire that I somehow missed seeing on our last visit. 

We caught the Subway from West Street Station to Kelvinhall, from where we walked to the impressive museum. There were so many amazing sights just on our walk, including the University of Glasgow, established in 1451 (pictured over the bridge)! 

But my favourite part of the visit was certainly getting up close to a real Supermarine Spitfire fighter plane. This type of aircraft was instrumental in the Battle of Britain back in World War II, and so seeing one in person (after reading books and watching countless films featuring them) was quite special. 

The organ recital was also fantastic, as the organist played a vast selection of Christmas carols and hymns. All in all, it was a wonderful visit to one of Glasgow's top museums. :)

The updated, modern subway in Glasgow.

My beautiful family. :)

Family photo outside the museum. Anya was slowly disappearing into her stroller. :)

The beautiful organ in the main hall.

Listening to the lovely music.

Dinosaur display. They also had a coelacanth display - the 'living fossil' that captured my young imagination when I was a child.

Natural history exhibit.

Knights and soldiers.

Our newly-hatched chicks. :)

City of Glasgow Mk 21 Spitfire.

It has pride of place in this hall.

Running away from the powerful Spitfire! :)

Work Meeting in Glasgow...

After a relaxing weekend, I joined my friends Christian and Eve at their hotel for a Communications team meeting on Monday, 16th December. We discussed various projects and made progress on several fronts. 

Later in the day, we all wandered into Glasgow together, where we browsed at Christmas markets and enjoyed supper at Nando's at St Enoch Square. We said farewell to them as we walked back home, as they drove back to Wales the next morning.

A large church opposite the hotel.

Sherbrooke Castle Hotel.

Festive decorations on the main staircase inside.

Squiggly Bridge later that same afternoon.

Christmas market at Georges Square.

Enjoying a lovely Nando's meal. :)

First Sunday in Glasgow...

We had a lovely first Sunday (15th December) in Glasgow. We joined my sister and her family in visiting Queen's Park Baptist Church for their morning carol service. It was absolutely lovely to hear some familiar hymns again - and then to share in fellowship over mince pies and cups of tea/coffee in the church basement. Yum!

Later that day, we went to the Riverside Transport Museum, one of our favourite museums from our last visit in June 2023. We enjoyed all of the exhibits, and it was also special since my Horizons work colleagues Christian and Eve joined us for the afternoon. Christian stayed with us here in Detroit back in July. They drove up to Glasgow that morning to spend a couple of days at a lovely hotel nearby.

The beautiful ceiling of the church.

The lovely exterior of the church.

Cool slogan seen throughout the city.

With the Tall Ship Glenlee docked outside the Riverside Museum.

View back towards the museum.

PS Waverley, docked in Glasgow. (PS = Paddle Steamer.)

The new Govan-Partick Bridge at the museum. This pedestrian/bicycle bridge was still under construction the last time we were in Glasgow.

So many amazing old cars...

Trains and underground tubes...

And old tram buses!

This was by far the children's favourite exhibit. The Sinclair C5 display.

Shirley gives it a go!

The children put out a fire!

Old fire engine. 

Cousin Rhyenn with Eliza and Anya.

Blurry selfie in front of the Riverside Museum. :)