shylustig

Back after an American excursion, more later, another Cafe’ – The Hyndland Fox, West End, Glasgow

Will soon report back on my recent forays to the Highlands, Lisbon!, and America (the last 2 weeks).

So went for a walk the other day, and in my effort to have 10,000 steps per day, bumped into the delightful, Hyndland Fox, that also (it was a Sunday), had a bi-weekly comedy club that we’ll check out soon.

I honestly didn’t know that, but who knows, maybe everything is getting back to normal finally?

I’ve been here before, and the one thing they’ve done, is to serve a more, minimal, fish and chips – let’s be honest, I can never really finish an entire, normal portion – with it usually being top-heavy with batter.

This is could handle easily. The pal’s food, was a more and more typical dish, with a red sauce being sent out with mussels. Though, I would normally prefer the white wine sauce, this was interesting.

Costello at the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow

As for the week, we went to see Elvis Costello last night, a review tomorrow!

More street art from Glasgow, this time from the Southside

More wonderful pieces of street art, that border on modern murals.

The “hand”!

The attention to detail and the meaning, that escapes me, does the trick.

By the artist @FRODRIK on Minard and Pollokshaws Road, Southside, Glasgow

This week; Birnam, Scotland (Beatrix Potter land) and other observations, cafe’s, etc.

What a week, more being in the hospital recently, but it makes you even more grateful when you are not there!

Birnam Hotel, Birnam, Perthshire, Scotland

Had another Perthshire trip in the bag, this time to the sister “city” of Dunkeld, Birnam. Maybe it’s the poorer little relation, but still has something, particularly the home / place / whatever of Beatrix Potter, author of the Peter Rabbit books.

The hotel was right out of the 19th century! I love these type of things and I came across a “floor light” or whatever it’s called? I’ve never seen one of these things. But if you looked above it, to the roof, maybe it was a proto-type skylight? Who knows?

Skylight from the 19th century?

Also, there seems to be a little bit of money in this place, as various rooms looked completely up to date, which can only be a good thing.

Various shots

And it was only opposite, where there were various Potter types of elements, and also a theatre, museum / café dedicated to her memory.

Various things a la Beatrix Potter

Where the attendant was nice enough to let us have a look, even though they were officially closed.

Dunoon – Final part – Burgh Hall café and OMOS Exhibition

Was told by the attendant here, that only a few years ago, this building, the Burgh Hall, was vacant and then purchased for £1.00 – what a bargain, and what an interesting inside here – with both an exhibition hall and a café – both work very well.

As for the exhibition area, at the time there was a film / projection on black history in Scotland. Don’t know if it was my thing, but on the other hand, I’ve always been a sucker for these type of avant-garde installations; normally on a wall or screen, with much space about.

It had a flow to it and an atmosphere that I adored.

Various shots from OMOS

As for the cafe, it had my favourite, being Coronation Chicken, that was a ten from 10!

This week – Just back from Lisbon, more things this week.

Yeh, have not been on here enough – work, travel, etc; but will defo do more this week, finishing my latest travel to both Germany and Dunoon, but also will look back at my trip to Perthshire (Dunkeld / Birnam) again, the last week. But first, what about some brand new street art today in Glasgow.

And I think it looks just fine! Plus, the artist was there, having just completed his work of art. And I believe he goes by the name of “@markwurst”, but am not really sure.

Another shot from the east, looking west

Cool! As I do not have a SINGLE bit of artisticness in my body.

This week, and amongst many things, a look at the “art” scene in Dunoon . . .

More blogging about my trips to Bavaria and Dunoon, more cafe reviews(!) and maybe something else.

But it was interesting to see that even in good, ole Dunoon, there is some form of an art scene. In this case, they had a film / presentation about 500 years of black culture in Scotland, and I will “review” it shortly for all to see!

In addition, the “art house” that housed it, had a brilliant café as well, and naturally I’ll review it also.

Also this week, I will start a series, of looking at just how good (or bad) supermarket cafe’s are! I’ll begin with Morrisons in Partick. If I survive the food, I’ll blog about it. . .

Dunoon – Part 2, the High Street, etc

Following on from the boat trip from Gourock, the High Street is short, sweet and with the sun almost idyllic. And thought, as the screen shot below from Google Maps shows, that there is a preponderance of Churches! With the above, Cowal Kirk – High Church, being the most impressive.

After this, we meandered down the High Street, or should say correctly, Argyll Street, where there was everything one would want on a short day trip; cafe’s, restaurants, sights (the Churches, Promenade), etc.

Argyll Street (the High Street)

And we found some “cute” things, such as mini-kilts for your wine or whiskey bottles, and some “designer” tea pots!

Equally, we also entered a “modern” type of tourist shop, which had an affinity for both Tunnock Tea Cakes and the Scottish artist JoLoMo.

Worth a visit.

And even though it’s April, found a Christmas shop, presumably open year round?!

Worth it.

This Week – Germany, Cafes, Dunoon, various – How do you buy a German train ticket?

Here’s one of them, and that’s right, they’re in German!

Ticket to Nurnberg

First of all, even if German is not your strength, the ticket machines for the mainline German trains (though still a little confusing) can be set to English:

The above is for tickets for Deutsche Bahn, NOT for the U-Bahn or city trains.

The ticket was for a single, and the distance travelled was about 20km; all for about £4.50. Not cheap, but certainly not expensive. IMO, about the same price as for an equivalent distance here in the UK. The distance would be like going from Glasgow to Johnstone in Renfrewshire (As a Scottish example!).

If the machines are not for you, most of the major cities will also have a Travel Centre (Reise Zentrum) for you to buy them using English. I’ve also found most Germans are both helpful and speak very good English as well.

Dunoon trip and other things this week

What a day it was this last Saturday, so decided to take a trip to the lovely city(?) of Dunoon on the West Coast of Scotland.

We decided not to drive, due to the distance, but instead to take the passenger only ferry from Gourock, on the West Coast also.

At Gourock port

From here we had a lovely walk at the pier, that appears to be in a state of renovation, though am not too sure. If it is, then in the sun, this would be a sensational place to have a high tea or meal.

Old Pier in Dunoon

From here, around the pier, there was many things to take a shot at, like the panorama, the church nearby and the coast.

Looking south and east

Shots near the pier

More later on this lovely place (in the sun!)

More from Germany (Bavaria) trip last month

More from a recent trip to Germany, and what I instantly noticed (ED; again!), is the number of different bike stands / bike racks / etc, in addition to the sheer volume of bikes – everywhere.

My favourite was this one: