Travel – Page 8 – Curious Bystander

Far East Travels – Hong Kong – Part 2 –

The second day or third day, can’t really remember, I decided to go for a long walk, though also used their spotless subway as well, to a central park that comes complete with a tea cafe / museum! Well, the British were here, weren’t they.

First, I noticed that they (still?) use bamboo as opposed to steel scaffolding. I saw a report on this years ago, where it showed that with only a few people, an entire building can be wrapped up in bamboo in a very short time (and later removal is equally as quick), as obviously it weighs significantly less than metal. Would this EVER really catch on here in the West?

And another thing about construction / engineering, I noticed a warning placard, as to the penalties on smoking in areas where you shouldn’t.

I then made my way to the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware! What a surprise, that also happened to be quite interesting to me personally, as I simply love tea and found the historical information and displays informative and historical.

Week Ahead / Best TV Last Week (late) – Lucan (ITV) –

This week will continue looking at various things, from my taste in TV, my recent trips to the Far East (Hong Kong) and some shots of Glasgow and various things of interest here.

But first, my TV from last week. This concerns a series from 2013 that is being re-run on ITV about the disappearance of Lord Lucan in 1974, called Lucan.

For those unfamiliar with Lucan, even to this present day in the UK, if a person has not been seen for some time, whether a colleague, friend or family member; you can still heard said, that the person in question is “like Lord Lucan”, or something similar along those lines.

I had originally watched this, but only glancing at times, as it follows an author years later, interviewing various Lucan acquaintances, in order to find the truth as to just what happened to him after he murdered the family maid.

For one thing, it certainly transported me to a different world, both in time and in class. Whilst at the same time, the dialogue between Lucan and his casino owning friend, as Lucan had a BIG problem with gambling, are simply too preachy and OTT.

This was only part 1, where Lucan mistakenly murders his maid, rather than his Lady wife and is something that the British do quite well, particularly when it’s combined; crime and historical drama.

The Far East; Hong Kong – Part 1 –

As I am all travelled out as of present, I’m looking back at previous trips in my “repertoire” from the recent past.

A few years ago, I was in the position to go to the far east on two occasions, over the course of a year. The first trip included for a start, going to Hong Kong; a place that I had always wished to visit. Due to subsequent events over the last year such as the takeover of HK by the Beijing government & of course, COVID. I am now glad that I did go.

The first thing of note, was the size (or unsize!) of my hotel room – it was tiny, with an even smaller kitchen and loo. I thought to myself, really, I may only work the odd hour or two a day inside, and then be off from the room, so it was really not a problem. Does ANYONE really spend a lot of time during the day in their hotel room, on holiday?

The second thing, was the sheer heat & humidity of the city. It would have been unbearable to be inside for long periods of time, without the cold as ice, air conditioning unit that we had. Outside was bad enough, but at least there was a breeze at times and the occasional violent thunderstorm; storms so busy, that there exists a warning system in HK, where the city can simply be shut down.

The second day, we decided to go for a walk. Where we entered a market, with naturally, live fish to be bought! Later, we used some of the wonderful old trams that exist amongst all the high rises and other pieces of modernity – more on these teak works of art later.

Finally, we visited the edge of the harbour, with lovely views of Kowloon to the north (we were staying to the south on Hong Kong Island, in the Wan Chai area, where the financial sector is), and a collection of life-size plastic models of something Asian / Chinese.

TV of the Week – Craig and Bruno’s Great British Road Trips – ITV

I love to travel, but in particular, I love the Yorkshire Dales, which I’ve always thought to be superior to the vastly overrated and vastly over-touristed Lake District.

So when I was channel hopping during the week, I came onto this gem, that was both fun, unpretentious and illustrative of the life in the Dales. A life that seems to me (and to our two hosts), to be more of an area where people still work with their hands, and produce something – not just to pander to visitors / tourists.

They sampled beer, did a car rally and herded sheep. All good fun.

Will definitely watch more.

Loch Lomond – Part 4 – Balloch

I concluded my recent trip to the Loch Lomond area, by visiting the charming, drive-through village of Balloch, that comes complete with both good car and train connections, and is frequented by many day-trippers from the Glasgow area.

It was a short drive from Cameron House and we decided to go for a walk through Balloch and onwards to the Lomond Shores shopping complex / Sea Life aquarium. We actually became lost and so got back in the car and drove to this area.

Considering it was a day bathed in sunshine, we had a very quick walk around, and noticed the tourists, and also the very many people taking part in some sort of water sports on the loch.

We also noticed a great deal of young families here, not only for the sights, aquarium and loch, but also for the tree village / birds of prey area, something I will definitely visit in the coming months.

Loch Lomond – Part 3 – The picturesque village of Luss . . .

Luss is one of those places that you like (it’s beautiful, has walks, is next to Loch Lomond, has a multitude of pubs / restaurants – and even has a scene or church from the film Four Weddings and a Funeral, if that’s your thing, at Luss Parish church – maybe it does, as the number of weddings in its diary is amazing!) or don’t like; it has too many tourists, there’s too many people from Glasgow (they simply DON’T travel any further north than here!), and has a packed carpark; though they do have a new, purpose built one on the south of the town since the last year.

I cycled to here from my Cameron House stay, and had a lunch among the midges that consisted of a wonderfully textured veggie burger (one of the best I’ve had) and chips, at The Village Rest cafe.

Midges

Interesting for those of you who have not had to survive the midges during a Scottish “summer”, it’s only later in the day, where one discovers that they’ve been bitten dozens of times by these things. The local “known” cure is Avon’s “Skin so Soft” and I would have to vouch that it does, indeed work, though I had forgotten to use it on this particular day!

For a laugh, please see this link, where a debate ensues! OTOH, there is also a product called Smidge, which I also use (and forgot to bring as well!), which has it’s own “forecast” as to the midge situation. Check it out!

Various shots of Luss and the quay on Loch Lomond

After the lunch, we had a wander to the quay, and had an ice cream whilst watch the numerous queueing for the boat or trying their hands at canoeing, etc.

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.

Loch Lomond – Part 1

With having to stay as close to Glasgow as possible, come on 19 July(!), had to contend with the lovely surroundings of Loch Lomond and the various places nearby a few weeks ago

Decided to rent a cabin (Hardly! More of a flat.) situated very close to Balloch, a delightful village, that can be reached by train (direct) from Glasgow. It was on the grounds of Cameron House, by Loch Lomond. It’s impressive and comes with a Boat House, 2 golf courses and water activities, if you dare.

The apartment was just fine. Forgive the fotos, but I simply could not fault either the facilities or the placement in the grounds.

More later, but I would return in the future.

The Dales, Yorkshire, England – Reeth & Barnard Castle

After Nottingham, decided on the way back to Glasgow, to stop at the lovely little village of Reeth, in the Dales.

This was merely half way or thereabouts, between the two cities, but apparently many others do, as the place was packed and we barely manage to grab the last room there.

The first night in Reeth, Yorkshire

Once there, had several meanders around the place; the night of arrival and the lovely Sunday morning that came later.

Various shots of Barnard Castle, Yorkshire

On the way back, we stopped for some delicious chocolate cake / tea, at another unheard town, that was delightful as well, Barnard Castle. That appeared to me, to be more of a “culture” capital of this area, if that can exist; with an abundance of cafes, shops and pubs.

Well worth a visit.

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.