shylustig

Bavaria – Part 2

As this isn’t really a “beer and vomit” type of elegy to Germany, Part 2 will start with something that is even spiritual, the Saint James Camino, or as stated in German, St Jakobs Weg. Yes, THAT camino, and there are numerous variations of this not only in Bavaria, but in other parts of Germany as well, as this map shows; with the red way in northern Spain (The French Way) being the most popular. If interested, please try this site, for further information.

My journey was only for two days, and was in southern Franconia, though still beautiful! And this comes to another point about Germany, and specifically Bavaria – their churches. I have always wondered why they are not as renown as others in Europe. The particular style in Bavaria is Rococo, though I could be wrong that it applies to every church here (probably I am!).

On our first stage to Effeltrich was delightful, and still so close to cities, but JUST far enough to feel a sense of remoteness – however false that was. In addition, there will always be a village or small town within an hour of you, complete with all things German (bakeries, Gasthauses with Bier, etc). What was unusual here in Effeltrich, was a bizarre “church / fort” (in German a “Wehrkirche – Fortified Church”), at the end of the stage, called St Georg. More information can be found here.

The second stage was continued a few days later, and started from Effeltrich via a bus, to Forcheim. Whilst we took a wrong turn in a forest after Pinzberg (to Kersbach), we still had time to discover a delightful trinity of churches / chapels in Pinzberg.

The first was a chapel (Kappelle)

Followed by another Kappelle, complete with outdoor seating for services. Interesting and with an ode to German efficiency, it was possible to not only collect a stamp for your Camino book, but also to listen to some spiritual tunes as well. Magnificent!

Shell and Stamp for your use. Cool hi-fi system!

The final stop in Pinzberg, was at St Nikolaus, with a smaller chapel inside, for use of children.

Afterwards, we meandered to Forcheim central, but stopped along the way at a Lutheran church, St. Johannis – Evangelisch-Lutherische, in it’s outskirts, though still part of the camino. Yes, non-Catholic churches take part here; even in Bavaria. Though in this case, it was not as ornamental as other places. Though it still had the blue and yellow shell signifying the camino.

St. Johannis – Evangelisch-Lutherische, Forcheim

Inside St. Johannis – Evangelisch-Lutherische, Forcheim

Finally, ended in the centre of Forcheim, with what else a bier. In this case, it was a Tucher, information here.

If you do notice one thing though, in the summer in this neck of the woods, there are wasps EVERYWHERE there is food. Hence, you simply have to use the beer coaster (Untersetzer) on top of a beer. You’ve been warned. But if you require more information on this, please check out here.

First hit, Last hit – Wham; Young Guns (1982) / Edge of Heaven (1986)

This was always interesting to me, as I recall, Rolling Stone laughed at these guys, due to them being a “white rap group”; in their review of the British Invasion, Part 2, in 1983/84. Little did they know that shortly, they’d be huge, even in America.

As a showcase how they changed, Young Guns (Go for It) came from 1982 and was rap. But after several giant hits, in a variety of pop styles, they released in 1986, my personal favourite, Edge of Heaven – far more upbeat and for Wham, maybe even “gritty”? If that is an oxymoron, please forgive me.

First hit, last hit – The Everly Brothers

Being young, and not remembering the black and white world of my parents; when they talked of the Pat Boones, Fats Dominos or even Elvis, I was completely unknowing of what they were speaking about. All of these people who had their hair so short, wore such conservative clothes, etc. It was literally another world.

So it is interesting to know that the Everlys, tried and were nearly successful in breaking out of that fifties / early sixties era. Their first hit, was of course Bye, Bye Love in 1957, that came in at number 2 in America, and number 6 here. Whilst their last, complete with “groovy” 60s’ clothing (and in colour by the way!), was this gem, Bowling Green. That ended up, tellingly, at only number 40 in the USA in 1967. Enjoy.

Beer of the Week – Mahrs

So as part of a Bavarian trip, I go to the magical town of Bamberg, where at last count, there are ten breweries contained therein. Whilst these were not to our avail, I did manage to attend an outside restaurant, complete with a protected courtyard, and resplendent with a marquee against the elements (Why don’t they have that here in Glasgow?).

And as an accompaniment to my schnitzel, I ordered the local brau, Mahrs. A lager I’ll have you know, and sensational. Just look at that foam!

Bavaria – Part 1

It’s probably been said numerous times; a traveler goes to Munich, and talks about, or ONLY talks about the Lowenbrau tent at Octoberfest, and getting hammered, etc. Seen it, done it, years, as in YEARS ago! Not impressed, and besides, for anyone with any, and I mean any inclination or brains, it’s Augustiner beer that’s the best that Bavaria (or Munich) produces. So the purpose of this post, is not the stereotypical reminiscing about Deutschland, but of some unknown or even idiosyncrasies that I’ve noticed this last trip and before.

First, the cigarette machines. Yes, they are everywhere, and with a finger to the PC brigade, it gives people there the choice – and btw, you can only purchase with credit cards; no cash.

The second part, is the food. Whoever has said that the cuisine in Germany is shite, has simply never been there or in Bavaria. Even something very simple as a salad, has ALWAYS come in a dressed, elaborate manner, that is delicious. For example the Swiss variety of Wurstsalat (sausage salad). So simple, with a non-fattening style of dressing; more vinegar than oil.

Wurstsalat – Swiss variety

As for the Churches, that will be next, in Part 2, when you can see my report from one of their St James Caminos.

First hit, last hit – Prince

This is the start of this type of entry, and one that has intrigued me for some time. It is particularly interesting in these days, as many of the old school rockers and artists, whilst never being able to have enough streams (free) for their albums and in particular, for their singles (if they even release them) to be “hits”, are at the same time selling out concerts where the minimum ticket is 25 to 50 quid.

A while ago, I was listening to an American commentator, who mentioned the same thing. It concerned Bob Segar or Prince, and stated the obvious, that their back catalogs were worth a fortune, but as for their fortunes nowadays, they were weren’t worth a nickel!

Well, if I had a back catalogue like either, count me a has been!

As for Prince, his first top 40 in the UK was “1999”, released in 1982. While his last was from 1997, entitled “The Holy River” *. Only fifteen years! A slice of nice, easy listening with colours, which you can find below:

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_discography

Beer of the Week

As I was just in Europeland for about a month, please wait for the picts! But on a more important note, once there, I was in a delightful German border town, that served a sensational form of lager from draught (vom Fass!).

You heard right, lager!

This one, entitled Öcher (Oecher), was superb with a hint of sweetness, and I shall be hunting it down via the internet, asap.

But, borrowing the completely pretentious “beeradvocate. com” notes, one must say:

A- Warm, fluffy, golden tone, nice foam on it, that didn’t disappear. Vernacular; “good bevvy”.

S- Beerish! Like an alcoholic candy.

T- Nutty, as in the type you get at Christmas, with a taste of sugar, just a hint.

M- It smacked of a full bodied lager, but not that shite Budweiser! Give us a break.

D- Could drink gallons of this stuff; thought is was 4.5%. Brewed in Lahnstein: https://www.lahnsteiner-brauerei.de/

Back and still safe . . .

Time flies, naturally, and everyone knows what’s been going down the last half-year, but finally, the blog is now on a schedule to come out of its hibernation.

We collected a monstrous amount of future blog posts, be it, travel, consumerism, wit, film and music. Who knows, maybe it will be updated every week or even every day!

To start off, my Single of the Year so far, Northern Song, from the neo-psychers, the Asteroid #4. And puhleeze don’t tell me it sounds like The Byrds. It’s better!

We’re back; when will this end . . . ?

It’s been some time to have the inclination to even blog or write, but that has hopefully changed. The agenda for this week, among other things is:

1) My photo collage of COVID standing instructions; you are warned. My favourites were from Aldi.

2) We have a new’ish French Patisserie in the West End of Glasgow; you’ll get my review, as I’ve used them quite a few times during the lockdown (and before).

3) As travel is not anyone’s thing right now, we’ll start to go over some previous travels / tips / etc. First one up, will be Beijing.

Tape, signs, directions – Lockdown images – West End, Glasgow

Heartfelt comments, Little Italy, West End, Glasgow

The one thing that I have noticed, with constantly trying to shop for food, is the plethora of tape, directions and signs in shops nowadays. Have you seen this in Glasgow or wherever you live? In the future, I’ll do a longer piece, analysing the art, etc, but for now, please enjoy some photos and notice the difference in colours. Which do you prefer, white or the ever so bland, safety tape?