Fiona Alderman: The Return To Glasgow

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Fiona Alderman: The Return To Glasgow

After so long away from home, nearly 15 years, I was slightly nervous returning to Glasgow – maybe not the right word. A lot has changed though. New buildings, areas I didn’t even recognize and everything very expensive. I was staggered by the price of the wine. Spoilt as I am by living in France this was amazing to me.

Anyway, one of the reasons for going back was to make contact with various people to envisage ‘The Glasgow Project’ for Barry. A whirlwind of meetings with people and new contacts too, it was exciting and thought provoking. With the help from our lovely host here, Pat Byrne, on the Glasgow West End site, I was able to forge some great links for the future. The Mitchell Library, The Museums Curators of Glasgow, Street Level Photoworks and others with a view to exhibitions for next year. I have a lot to do but it is a great focus for me and a tribute to Barry also.

Pat Byrne – The Mitchell Library

I went to various galleries and exhibitions whilst I was there. One of my favourites is the Hunterian Art Gallery at the University of Glasgow, where I enjoyed seeing so many favourite paintings and even spoke in French to one of the guides who was from Montpelier.

I took lots of photos and without realizing it, was recreating some of Barry’s taken many years ago. A new angle and a new way perhaps.and of course in colour. Next year will be a new page turned in life’s journey.

The French Connection

missy

Whilst I was away, my little cat Missy was very well cared for by a lovely lady from Aberdeen. How strange is that to find someone from home to care for my cat in a remote part of the Dordogne ? She has now become a friend and we call her Auntie Moira.

Funny coincidences have happened to me lately too. At Bergerac airport I thought I recognized someone from years ago in Scotland. She was a pianist and composer and she played for some of my classes I taught at Scottish Ballet. I talked to people in my local Cafe in French and was saying I had been in Glasgow

one young man pipes up in English where in Scotland? I explained Glasgow, Edinburgh and Ayr. He had a girlfriend in Paisley of course ! The world is so small. We had a lovely chat.

What do I miss about Scotland? The humour, and the taxi drivers’ banter was just magic !

You can see some of Barry’s photos of The Waverley that were viewed in Glasgow on Barry Paton’s Photo Gallery.