November Wrap-Up

If you’re like me, November felt like a flash. It’s hard to believe it’s already December.

Similarly, in just a week, it will be a year since I first arrived in Glasgow for this wee adventure. The year has whizzed by and I plan to commemorate by spending a little time in the upcoming weekend reflecting on the year.

In the meantime, I thought I’d share a few more cultural and nature experiences from last month.

Armistice Day/Remembrance Sunday

Earlier in November, it was remarkable to see that people demonstrate a strong reverence around Armistice Day (same day as our Veteran’s Day). They also celebrate a Remembrance Sunday which falls on the Sunday after Armistice Day.

For weeks in advance, you see volunteers selling little poppies and they are worn from about the beginning of November by many – from tv news hosts to people on the street.

Maybe because people here (or their recent ancestors) had a more direct experience of wars than we have in the US, there seems to be a stronger connection to remembering and honoring those lost. I found it quite moving – whether meeting that pair of young students taking their time to raise funds for veterans or seeing the moments of silence where leaders and everyday citizens paused for reflection on Armistice Day.

Some years ago, I remember on a very cold November day my family attended the funeral for my Great Uncle Steve who was a WWII veteran. He was buried with military rites and I doubt I’ll ever forget the beauty of hearing “Taps” played on a solitary bugle, seeing my Great Aunt Florence being presented with the American flag as the serviceman told her that our President and a grateful nation honor his service to our country.

Hanging with the Birds

We also made a visit to a nature reserve, Lochwinnoch, about an hour away from Glasgow via train run by RSPB, a large conservation agency here in the UK specializing in birds. We had lovely crisp, sunny weather and enjoyed a bit of fresh air and open sights.

Dumfries House

We also took a trip to Dumfries House, a good hour’s drive from Glasgow. It’s an old country manor of an Earl that was in danger of being sold for development. Apparently, locals and historic preservation groups raised a significant amount of funds to buy it, but not enough. Prince Charles came in and made the purchase possible.

In addition to being a stately home one can tour, Prince Charles’s foundation has also worked to make it a center for providing training to local people in this economically depressed area. There are lots of training programs from agriculture to hospitality to green building. We hitched a ride with a group for a house art tour, but hope to return to explore the grounds and learn more about the training programs.

(Interior pictures weren’t allowed. If interested, you can check some out on their website.)

Being so far north and close to the Winter Solstice, days are very short here now – sunrise at 8:30am and sunset at 3:45pm. Hope you’re finding moments of beauty and coziness wherever you are.