The Week Ahead. . . – Page 4 – Curious Bystander

The Week Ahead . . . It’s hot here in the West of Scotland

This week, will try to put some photos of previous travels, as I am all “travelled out” and due to Corona, may not travel (and have not travelled) for a while.

In addition, will finally start several “series” about life in Glasgow; by looking at many of the small “green areas” we have here in the city, and a look at more of the wonderful church architecture that we have here as well.

But first, it’s hot! And it seems to be almost a desert forming here as a recent trip to play golf north of Glasgow shows.

Week Ahead / Loch Lomond – Part 2 – Golf!

The coming week will see a continuation of my last trip to Loch Lomond. Will also look at various things in Glasgow, churches, buildings and a look at alcohol, TV and the Arts.

Loch Lomond – Part 2 – Golf (The Carrick Golf Club)

Whilst at Loch Lomond, decided to try my hand at golf; this nightmare taking place at a superb club, The Carrick, complete with views and a stunning spa.

Amongst the hiking and biking, the course has an excellent clubhouse and restaurant, that I had lunch in. Everything seemed to never be a problem for the ever so helpful staff and if this is your thing, please do try it.

Week Ahead / Nottingham and The Dales –

Hey, this week will do a review of certain cafes here in Glasgow, particularly in the West End, look at some alcohol, and start to talk about my last trip during these horrible COVID days to the Dales in Yorkshire (but only for one day), after a stop off in Nottingham, to enjoy some tennis (in those pre-Wimbledon days)

After the trip to Shropshire, I thought, hey, what about a pre-Wimbledon tennis trip. Lo and behold, there’s a warm-up in Nottingham, where we witnessed both Johanna Konta and Francis Tiafoe (who ended up defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas, French Open finalist, at Wimbledon).

Wonderful! Small, only one food truck(!), but in scorching weather, we’ll be back.

Various shots, including Konta and Tiafoe

Week Ahead / Ludlow – Day 2

Finally with some more time on our hands, will be saying what will do this week, and will continue with our recent Shropshire trip.

Will try to do some more cafe / restaurant things here in Glasgow, Scotland, as well as bringing back our “First Hit, Last Hit” series! In addition, more fotos from Glasgow, what fun!

Ludlow, Shropshire – Part 2:

We continued walking and discovering this part of England, that unbeknownst to me, is just SO close to Wales!

We decided to go for a walk, up the hill to the centre, and were entranced (pretentious!) with the charm and number of ancient buildings that we saw! Amazing whilst at the same time, it was packed with shopper, and came with a delightful area by the castle, complete with a market.

What I did notice, were the ages of most of the people. Yes it was mid-week, during the day, but the average age seemed well into the 60s range – which is fine by me. And while this and the buildings could lead you into thinking that this is not a place for you? Think again, as we passed by numerous pubs, cafes, shops and breweries!

Delightful and living.

The Week Ahead / Cateran Trail – Part 3

This week, will finish a look at my recent trip doing part of the Cateran Trail, where we finished the top, circular part. We will also look at some recipes, restaurant / cafe reviews from Glasgow, and a look at Glasgow highlights (their Churches) and maybe a “First Hit, Last Hit” from a pop band from the past . . .

Cateran Trail:

We will finish the walk later in the year, but would first say, that it is one of those rare walks that is circular, and is therefore a relief for people who simply want to start / end in the same spot (where they have either travelled to using public transport, or have parked their car).

The final day, we decamped and left to return to Kirkmichael, in Perthshire. This was probably the most enjoyable of the three days, as it was only 4 to 5 hours to walk, was sunny and was mostly downhill!

Whilst finally in Kirkmichael, I had a very interesting talk with the shop assistant, who told me that they (the village) had had a very tough time during COVID, and the winter. She also noted that the village itself had fewer and fewer people residing there, as the flats in front of the shop on the High Street, were virtually ALL holiday lets.

Depressing . . .

Week Ahead / Brutti Compadres Platos Pequenos – Glasgow, Merchant City

I am once again on a working holiday, but will give you some snaps from a recent walk in the Cateran Way, in Perthshire in Scotland, in addition to some other reviews, music, etc.

But to start, last weekend it was a typical lockdown day, stuck in Glasgow, why not a cycle ride to the Merchant City in Glasgow, for a “secret” restaurant to eat at.https://www.brutticompadres.com/ – which is down a lane in the Merchant City, in Glasgow; between Miller and Virginia Streets (in Virginia Court) – is an oasis from traffic and pedestrians.

The nachos, albondigas and more nachos!

It was a Sunday, and surprisingly, they were open and very welcoming; with a Spanish tinged menu.

It hit the spot, and with the vibe of having your own outside court to sit in, where we even had space to park our three bikes, it was a relief and something that we’ll be repeating in the future.

The week ahead . . . / Balbirs West End, Glasgow

As I’m on holiday, I’ll still try to do some blogging this week and being in England currently, I’ve already noticed that the weather is just so much warmer down here!

This week will be posting some holiday snaps from the last few weeks; will continue showing a Glasgow foto here and there; and try to highlight a café / restaurant that I’ve partaken of recently, in these dreadful COVID days.

So, what about a restaurant review?

This concerns Balbirs in the West End, which is a slightly more, upmarket Indian restaurant, that has always to me been very friendly.

As the lockdown finally ended a few weeks ago, we were able to go to the West End and sit down inside, but of course without alcohol, which I don’t really mind forsaking to be honest!

This wasn’t the only thing that I enjoyed, as due to this recent’ish lockdown, I took advice from the server as to any “low calorie” ideas that she had in mind. In a few minutes, a more senior colleague recommended the shish kebabs, that were both low in sauces / fat and tasted delicious! Why don’t I do this more (asking for any recommendations?)? I will in the future.

The price is about what you should expect and the decor, and professionalism is superb – will go again and again and again.

Week Ahead / Film of Last Week!

Glasgow, churches, and “I ate it so you don’t have to!”

Another week approaches, and will delve into detail on certain churches here in Glasgow – a must for anyone wishing to visit.

Also, will start looking back at some travels, as current travelling is verboten! For those of you who don’t know, we’ve been locked down here in Glasgow for some time.

Finally, will resurrect an old idea; you know that stuff in Iceland or Tesco, that you simply would NEVER buy and eat! Well, we did, and will give our review of one of Bentos’ products here for your perusal. I’ve had one before and it was simply dreadful!

We plane forgot to do many things last week; one was our film or TV of the week, a brilliant piece on witchcraft, “Night of the Eagle”, with Peter Wyngarde (who would go on to be a superstar in the UK in the early 70s) from 1962, as an academic with a witch of a wife.

Low key, black & white and at times spooky, on a very low budget. Why can’t they make ’em like that any more? It was once again, on that more and more brilliant channel, Talking Movies, I believe channel 81 for those with Freeview.

If not, it can be viewed on Daily Motion, here.

Week Ahead / New Series; “Glasgow’s Churches”

So starts a new week, and still I feel I don’t blog enough, though I finally do have enough time owing to certain things.

This week. will do some more things on previous trips around Scotland and the World, and start to do some more reviews of cafes / restaurants here in Glasgow (we’ve SO many), but will also start to look at some of the many, marvellous churches that we possess here. And you don’t have to be religious to take in the beauty of these buildings.

The first is one in the West End, and is of the Roman Catholic variety, with something of brilliance at the alter, that of shear marble. But more tomorrow.

The week ahead

The week will finally show what this blog is capable of! First, some photos from another neighbourhood here in Glasgow, then some church photos (a new series), music, film, TV of the week, and a look at a “first hit, last hit” segment, this time featuring REM.

But first, take a look at this street art, from an unknown “Banksy” in Glasgow; seen in the Hillhead area.