Interesting Art in Glasgow...

So glad that Ashlynn has finally embraced my love for seeking out art when visiting a city. Our long walk back to her flat included stopping at Tramway to see a collection of fabric collages with intricate embroideries about social injustice. 

Even more fascinating and entertaining was this incredible enormous sculpture created by one of Ashlynn’s friends... 

…complete with a fountain...

…and a glamourous centerpiece. Sadly I failed to take a photo of the explanation of this ambitious project. 

We stopped in a few more galleries on our journey home...

…and also saw urban art.

 

South Glasgow...

Stewart Memorial Fountain

Ashlynn had skittered out the following morning and asked me to meet her in South Glasgow, so I set off on a walk across town. I was happy that I managed not to get lost in Kelvingrove Park, where I came across this French gothic fountain from 1872 made in honor of the man responsible for bringing clean drinking water to Glasgow.

Crossing the River Clyde.

I met Ashlynn in Queen’s Park and we took a nice walk before heading to a café for brunch.

We had a delicious meal at Bramble. 

 

Kinetic Theater in Glasgow...

On June 16, I took the train to Glasgow to spend a few days with Ashlynn. 

She was very excited to take me to Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre, showcasing the creative sculptures of Russian artist Eduard Bersudsky. Each show is approximately 45 minutes long and features a variety of the kinetic artworks set in-motion to a synchronized soundtrack while a guide explains each featured piece. After the fascinating show, we were given some time to revisit our favorite static sculptures. 

Self-Portrait with Monkey

II IX 2001

Portraits of victims were downloaded from a 9/11 memorial website.

On the Road

Who is pulling the strings and who is being pulled on the road without end?

Master and Margarita

In the novel of this name, the Devil visits Moscow in the guise of circus artists and behaves more humanely than most humans.

Nickodym

The sign said this depicts the cooperation of the genders.

Shaman

 

Hashing in mid-June...

The EELs H3 trail on June 13 was in Leytonstone, another area of east London that we’d never been to.

The following night we went to a Beatles Singalong at the Springfield Bowls Club with London H3 and West London H3. While Martian Matron played the piano, the words appeared on the screen.

Man “Ringo Star” Magnet really knows how to get into character. 

Upon Reflection

The last hash event for us that weekend was London H3 starting at The World’s End in Finsbury Park. We went into Elthorne Park in Islington and into the walled Philip Noel Baker Peace Garden

We worked our way up a hill to see yet another view of London’s skyline. 

Opee and I ran the circle together. 

It’s shocking how many ladies’ rooms in pubs are down steep stairs into the basement. 

 

Random Moments...

Here’s a few selfies that Tim and Angel took during their visit: somewhere downtown...

...at the Outernet...

…and on the Golden Jubilee Bridge. 

After they left I took a long walk past Southbank Centre where I saw this bizarre inflatable sculpture...

…on my way to Stern Pissarro Gallery to see an exhibit of impressionist paintings. 

Regents Road was decorated in a variety of flags for Gay Pride. Unfortunately I missed the big parade later in the month, but Jimmy said he enjoyed it despite a lack of photographic evidence that he was there.

I continued through Chinatown...

…and Soho Square on my way to The Queen Charlotte, a small and charming Brewdog bar, where I was invited by Catherine to celebrate her birthday.

 

 

Horizon 22...

The following day we went to Horizon 22, the highest free viewing platform in Europe at 835 feet (254 meters) on the 58th floor of 22 Bishopsgate. I had been there for the first time eight months earlier but skipped blogging about much of 2023, so here are the first photos I’ve posted of the incredible view. 

Christina (aka Octoberflesh) joined us. She was visiting from Berlin to look for a flat in preparation of her move to London that August to work at the German Embassy.  

You can see how how twisty the Thames is near Canary Wharf, the tall buildings in the background, and onwards towards Greenwich. 

The dark terraced apartment building blocks our view of the skyscraper from our balcony and vice versa. That evening we had dinner at the Prospect of Whitby, which quickly topped Tim’s list of favorite pubs.