Glasgow, West End, September, 2024

I have to whisper this and hope that no-one hears but I do enjoy a visit to Glasgow over Edinburgh. You may be amazed when I say this, as I do love Edinburgh. I have spent many happy days in the Scottish Capital City and taken some memorable photographs. Glasgow may not have the same immediate sights as Edinburgh. However if you allow yourself to be part of the energy of the city then there is a rich range of places to see. My conference was at the University of Glasgow and I stayed in the Grosvenor hotel in the West End near to the Botanical Gardens. My walk to the University buildings took me along Bryers Road past University Avenue. I took the detour down Ashton Lane several times to sample the quirky neighbourhoods and also sample the delicious food in the restaurants of the area.

Glasgow, West End, September, 2024
The early morning sunrise along the Great Western Road
Glasgow, West End, September, 2024
A figure crosses the Great Western road

My pictures are a selection of shop fronts and restaurants. There was a visit to the Kelvingrove museum. A walk along the river Kelvin in the early morning captured the shadows and light of the beautiful weather we had whilst we were in Glasgow. Visiting the Botanical Gardens during the golden hour captured the glass and the ironwork of the Victorian buildings. My particular favourite was a sunrise along the Western Avenue. For a few moments the sky radiated a warm orange colour as the sun rose over the rush hour traffic.

Glasgow, West End, September, 2024
Golden hour over Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church.
Glasgow, West End, September, 2024
Sunrise catches the houses on Alfred Terrace, Great Western Avenue.
Glasgow, West End, September, 2024
Sun on Alfred Terrace
Glasgow, West End, September, 2024
Gates outside the University of Glasgow
Glasgow, West End, September, 2024
A couple enjoying the Botanical Gardens in the late afternoon.
Glasgow, West End, September, 2024
Glasgow Train Station and the Beacon of Hope.
Glasgow, West End, September, 2024
Walking along the Kelvin River.
Glasgow, West End, September, 2024
Shapes of the Scottish Exhibition Centre.
Glasgow, West End, September, 2024
Graffiti where Cecil street meets the Great Western Road.
Glasgow, West End, September, 2024
The rising hill of Hillhead Street
Glasgow, West End, September, 2024
Grosvenor Terrace and a skateboarder.
Glasgow, West End, September, 2024
Walking down Ashton Lane
Glasgow, West End, September, 2024
The cinema on Ashton Lane
Glasgow, West End, September, 2024
Just Eat passing Subway πŸ™‚
Glasgow, West End, September, 2024
New ideas for Dr Who
Glasgow, West End, September, 2024
Somewhere in the Matrix

More information on Glasgow’s Westend plus pictures may be found on the Visit Glasgow Website.

This is my second blog on Glasgow after my Photographing Glasgow in 2019. Since then, I noticed the Glasgow graffiti has changed.

And just in case Edinburgh feels left out, here is some street photography on the streets of the Scottish Capital. The Edinburgh street photography is a popular page on my blog.
My Top 4 pictures of 2023

Looking back on my photographic year, 2023 was an exciting one and there were several achievements including making the Landscape Photographer of the Year book. Two pictures were featured and these are described in my blog. Therefore I decide to choose four pictures that summed up my activity over the year. I love sunrises and sunsets in the golden hour. I have included a few of my favourite locations including Moor Street Station, Digbeth (including the Custard factory), Normandy Hill in Houlton near Rugby and the Lake District. My photographs have strong themes in the areas of Cityscapes and Street Photography. I do like a good reflection and trying to be different with my pictures. Let us take a look at my selection of photographs.

Sunrise at Birmingham Moor Street offers many street photography opportunities. Arriving early to take a picture of the sunrise, I looked around for a good view. The first London train was about to leave and another commuter train was just leaving. This scene made me think of the KLF song ‘Train to Trancentral’. The man pushing the button to release the doors, the sunrise and the golden train in the distance all came together at once. A very fortunate capture at Moor Street Train Station. (Taken with my iPhone 15)

Sunrise at Moor Street Station, November, 2023
All aboard, all aboard, whoa.

Normandy Hill is near Houlton in Rugby. The area of Hillmorton is nearby and the canal runs along the foot of the hill. The place used to have wireless masts for Rugby radio. The masts have been removed and the remnants of the bases are all that remain. When the conditions are right the hill has spectacular sunrises and sunsets. There are also views of the surrounding Warwickshire countryside. On a barmy night in July, I set up my travel tripod for my Fujifilm X100V. My camera settings were f/11, s 1/250 ISO 160. The sun was setting low and was just on the horizon. I pressed the button and realised that I had capture three people and their dog passing through the picture. The result was pleasing with the line up of the men and the sun outlining the shaggy coat of the dog. The rays of the sun were captured too. The atmosphere of the shot provides a permanent reminder of all the pictures that I have taken on Normandy Hill.

Normandy hill, Houlton, Rugby, July, 2023.
The last rays of summer sun on Normandy Hill.

Our family summer holiday was at Lowfield House in Little Langdale. Arguably, this spot is the heart of the Lake District and is the starting point for several walks. A place I wished to visit was Cathedral Cave, which is a short 45 minute walk from Lowfield House. Cathedral Cave is an impressive chamber. As a former slate quary, the cave is atmospheric with an open window in the wall allowing light into the cavern. There is a large slate cylinder that appears to be supporting the ceiling. There is a pool of water to the back of the cave which provided many reflections allowing one to appreciate the grand space of the cavern. Needless to say, I, like many photographers who visit this place, just wanted to take lots of pictures. The picture of Jim, my son-in-law, at the mouth of the cave proved to be a popular post on Instagram. Taken with the iPhone13.

Cathedral Cave, Little Langdale, the Lake District, August 2023
Jim standing at the entrance to Cathedral Cave. The surface water provided suitable reflections.

I spent a delightful Sunday afternoon wandering around Digbeth, Birmingham and came across @mr_h0spitalflip and his friends on the side steps of the Custard Factory. They kindly let me sit in and take a few pictures whilst they were skateboarding on the steps. I knew this was the best picture as soon as I viewed the result on the back of the camera. I was not using a burst on the shutter. Just one picture and I caught the skateboarder in the light doing the “Custard flip”. Taken with the Fujifilm X100v, Ζ’/5.6, s 1/500, ISO 640.

Digbeth, Birmingham, October, 2023
The Custard flip

I also found my Top nine from Instagram and these show my most popular posts by the number of likes. The two UKLPOTY pictures feature heavily. There is a picture of Sandy and me. I was also pleased to see the blossom in Oozells square and my trip to the States feature in the high scores. All good fun!

My top 9 instagram posts in 2023.
My Top 9 Instagram posts in 2023.

Links to my Top 4 photographs of 2023. I realise that I do not have a blog about Normandy Hill and I shall write one up in 2024. I have also included my Top 4 ion 2022 for comparison.

Visiting SΓ£o Paulo is an experience. It is the third largest city in the world with 17 million inhabitants. As soon as you leave Guarulhos International Airport, you enter into wide multi lane (10 to 12 lanes each way) freeway which straddles both sides of the TietΓͺ river. Slowly you do become aware of the smell from the polluted River as you drive into the city. The amount of traffic is incredible and they all drive as if they were Ayrton Senna. This was a business trip for the University of Birmingham and we had three dental schools to visit across the centre and outlying suburbs of SΓ£o Paulo. We stayed in a small boutique hotel, Estanplaza Paulista on the Alameda JaΓΊ near to Paulista Avenue. The hotel’s position gave us access to local restaurants and shops in the area. We arrived very tired on the Saturday night and woke up to sunshine in the morning.

Paulista Avenue
We wandered up to Paulista avenue and found that the whole road was closed to traffic and there was a large street party taking place. People were dancing and generally having a great time. We walked along the length of the avenue chilling out and enjoying the atmosphere. There were many good photographic opportunities.

SΓ£o Paulo Museum of Art
We also took time to visit the unique SΓ£o Paulo Museum of Art. There is a wide range of interesting paintings and the Museum Web site on provides a good source of information. Β There was an exhibition β€œImagens do Aleijadinho” which displayed statues of the African-Portuguese influence on the development of Brazil. Some of the exhibits were disturbing although the photographic record of the area the statues were found was fascinating. The Museum is on several floors and the paintings were imaginatively exhibited in a large exhibition area. There were canvases by both well-known artists plus fun contemporary exhibits such as β€œthe Table”, where the blackboard was under the table.

Jungle Park
We spent time in the β€œJungle Park β€œcalled Parque Trianon (officially Parque Tenente Siqueira Campos) which is only small in area but is key how the Atlantic Forrest would have been in SΓ£o Paulo. The high tree canopy with the dense vegetation makes it dark and gives respite from the noise of the large city around it. Β Then it was back out to the street party and we returned later in the afternoon and it had become even more crowded. Bikes, dancing, skateboarding on normally busy roads and underpasses and lots of street stalls. When there is an excuse for a party then Brazilians know what is needed to make it a success.

Reflections on SΓ£o Paulo
Take home memories from this time in Brazil. The food and the drinks especially the Ciprihania made with cachaça (sugarcane hard liquor), sugar and fruit. The traffic congestion around the city, the picturesque University Sao Paulo campus with Capybara roaming free (previously I had only seen them in zoos). The Brazilian friendliness and positive view on life is also refreshing.

Hope you enjoy all the pictures as well. Β I may have taken a few too many!!!

Spectacular buildings on Paulista Avenue

Dancing on the Avenue with the Professor

SΓ£o Paulo Museum of Art

Street shapes

I just love Coconut Juice

Surfing the City – this would be a packed freeway during the week

Biking the avenue

Walking the Avenue

Street Graffiti

More street graffiti artwork

Lots of fun on the avenue

Any excuse to have a party

Dancing in Brazil is a serious pastime

Selfie in the sunglasses

Head above the clowns

The street party in full swing – taken behind the Museum of Art

More Biking in the street

Selfie in the park (Picture by Phil Tomson) – wearing the clothes I travelled in as I lost my suitcase – I have a similar picture from 1997 on the same seats.

Beautiful paths only a short distance away from the City

City residents sit in the cool shade provided by the park

It is a popular place

A glimpse to what the “Jungle” looked like

The City surrounds the small park but the noise is cancelled out.

 

Image of the mix of Christianity and art

Some disturbing images

Books and photographs

Browsing through the collection

The blackboard under the table

There were many striking images

Intersting architecture and walkways

There was one big street party under the Museum

The morning rush hour coming into SΓ£o Paulo

The USP campus with views over the river of SΓ£o Paulo

Capybara roaming free but they are a nuisance to the University Boat Club

Sunset over SΓ£o Paulo

The final word is a Glass of Ciprihania – a real knock out drink πŸ™‚ This one was made with Passion Fruit.