I’ve been here before in order to watch the World Cup in 2006, where I only had a few of these (in cans), but they still blew my head off!
For this latest trip, we went to Kannonesteppel, on the Textorstrasse, which seemed to be a mecca for Apfelwein enthusiasts, as there were other of these types of pub / restaurants here.
Bembel with Schnitzel and Grüne Sauce
First of all, the Apfelwein is served here in something called a Bembel; that’s the pitcher that you see here (above).
Secondly, it was a bit more flat than before and less strong (though similar to a British Scrumpy).
Finally, I was told that it is only about 4 -5 percent alcohol, and I was mixing it with mineral water so that I could stand upright at the end of the night! This combined with the schnitzel and “Frankfurter Grüne Sosse” made this meal divine. I loved it, and the hof that was packed with punters loved it too!
This week, and the following, will really only consist of my present trip in the continent, to and inside of Deutschland.
Yes, we will look at TV and also various “German’ish” things that I find and encounter on my voyages the next few weeks. for the blog,
Lady Lucan
but first, my UK TV of the last week was a fascinating interview with Lord Lucan’s late wife (she died shortly after this hour long interview was filmed in 2017), and this follows on from my TV of the Week from last week, about the Lord himself. This was fascinating, not only for the “what really happened” that night in 1974, but in the look at the psyche and mind set of the minor, though wealthy, Lords and Ladys from a bygone age. Their wealth did start to go downhill after the tax increases post-World War 2, but with many of them by the time the 1970s had started, they were simply also rans in the scheme of things. In addition, the look of this haunted and very unsympathetic woman was at times shocking, as she admitted after being questioned about her relationships in general with friends and family, that she was “always cold with people”, including her children, who apparently shunned her until her death.
German Trip:
I started this, my most recent trip to Germany, by going to Frankfurt and doing a night in one of their many Apfelwein Pubs. In reality, this was more than a pub, but a packed restaurant in a tree lined hof, that was divine. More on this later, but first, the state of airports in general and specifically, Glasgow Airport.
As always when I go to an airport, I have to stop at the duty free / perfume concessions in order to “have a spray”! Hell, it’s free and why not? This time I chose the Hugo Boss, and thought it suited me perfectly
HUGO Perfume
During the short Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt, I had the posh tea whilst the coffee was actually freshly ground, and came complete with a special drinking top to be added to your plastic cup. Never saw this before.
After landing, noted both a Lunar Rover copy and a crap table conveyer belt. I look forward to the rest of the trip.
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.
Bamboo Cladding
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.
Please Don’t Smoke!
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.
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.
Author interviewing witness to Lucan
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.
Family and Maid
Lady Lucan
Lucan in his Flat
Lucan and Mentor
Lucan entering flat to kill his Wife
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.
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.
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.
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.
Map of Balloch
Balloch inlet to the Loch
Various shots of Balloch / Lomond Shores area
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.
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.
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.
Fairway at the Carrick
The 14th Hole
The 14th Hole
Final shot is the spectacular 14th hole, with Ben Lomond in the background
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.
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.
Curious Bystander 