Travel – Page 9 – Curious Bystander

Ludlow – Day 4 –

Final day, and we finally had a proper walk around Ludlow, and was amazed at the number of older buildings here; many of the timber frame type.

After this, we had a delightful visit to the main church in central Ludlow, at the very top of the hill, St Laurences C of E, where I met a VERY well informed lady in the gift shop. She told me that Ludlow has over 500 listed buildings! Yes, like a living museum, but that’s fine by me. Also interestingly, on the way out, I noticed a novel way of giving!

In addition, I enquired as to why Ludlow, at least to me, is a secret Shangra La. She stated that the nearest motorway was 45 minutes away, and there were no direct London connections by train (This proved COMPLETELY true on our Day 5, as it did indeed take me 50 minutes to find the nearest motorway.). Fine by me as well, though she did say that there was a “Ludlow Bounce” in the house prices, that explained the slightly higher, though still reasonable, house prices in this area of England.

We finished the day, by going for a partial hike up the nearest hill we could find, Titterstone Clee Hill, that had stunning, 360 degree views of the surrounding area.

I’ll be coming back in September, for their annual food festival, can’t wait.

Week Ahead / Ludlow – Day 3

For this third day, we decided to do one of the many walks that exist here, particularly one that is low level and does not consist of a hill walk.

We started in central Ludlow, and went via Whitbatch, then to the racetrack near the golf club, and finally to the local farm shop, the Ludlow Farm Shop, that had literally everything that a foodie would ever want. On the way back, we had a quick check out of the ancient church, St Mary the Virgin’s, on the other side of the A49, at Bromfield.

Ludlow Golf Club, speaking of which, is designed by none other than James Braid (who would have known!) and is an 18 hole stretch, located entirely inside the race track!

Next time, we’ll be playing it!

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.

Road Trip – Ludlow, Shropshire – Day 1

With us being still stuck in Glasgow, but with (finally) the opportunity to go south to England – Why not!

This was my first time in Ludlow and it won’t be the last (they have an annual food festival which I shall be attending later in the year).

What I found on my initial walk, as I arrived late on a Tuesday evening, was that the city itself, is reminiscent of either Carcassonne in France or even LaGuardia (A delight! Please go there if you can!) in La Rioja, in northern Spain.

Our flat and four other shots of our first evening in Ludlow

Equally, I was struck on just how many old, listed buildings that there were, whilst walking uphill, to the town centre, for a pint, at the Old Bull Ring tavern.

The Cateran Trail – Part 4 (we cheated) to Bridge of Cally / Blairgowrie / The Strawberry Farm Shop, north of Perth

After the arrival in Kirkmichael and a bought lunch (tasted great!), we headed via car, to Bridge of Cally, with the intention of walking to Blairgowrie, which went astray! We stayed the night and the next day shifted with the car to Blairgowrie.

Various shots in Bridge of Cally – Last shot showed a fatal car accident!

What a very small place, with the hotel the Bridge of Cally hotel, being packed yet the food was wonderful – world class btw. We needed the sleep and chill, and the next morning, I discovered that the A93 to the front of the hotel was closed. After I enquired, I was told that this was due to yet another road fatality on the A93 to Blairgowrie. I can only say, that on the same road heading south to BOC, the level of driving whether a caravan or not, was simply appalling! Take care, though this may have been due to the fact that this was one of the first days where travelling was allowed after COVID.

Once in Blairgowrie, where we discovered that they are the Strawberry or Berry capital of the World, we went for a short roam, and found a path on the Cateran Trail, that followed the river into the town. Some shots are below, and was struck by the sheer beauty of the place. Afterwards had a tea / cake in a cafe, the delightful Cateran Cafe in the heart of Blairgowrie.

Various shots in and around Blairgowrie (note the new flats via Savilles!

Finally, after leaving on the A93 again to Perth, we came to a bend in the road and just simply HAD to stop at the best stocked farm shop (The Strawberry Farm Shop) I’ve seen. The cake / pecan pie / brownie was heaven!

After about £60 worth of grub was bought, we stumbled back to Glasgow.

The Strawberry Farm Shop, just north of Scone

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 . . .

Cateran Trail – Part 2 – Lunch Hut to Lair

Day 2, as we were just so close to the Lunch Hut –

Towards Lunch Hut, Visitors Book (with Queen Victoria), Inside Hut, Looking back to Hut

(only around a corner from where we camped at, the night before), we stopped there and used our stove inside (shame on us) to make a cup of tea.

From here, as the weather was sensational (and after reading some dreadful bothy graffiti, and the wonderful signature book), we headed off to the summit of An Lairig (a pass between two higher peaks), at a height of 648 meters, that had wonderful views looking back on the route where we had come from.

From here, it was all downhill to the Spittal of Glenshee, that unfortunately was completely closed due to COVID. It would’ve been a welcome relief with its one café, but from here, it was now to head east, then south onwards to Lair, and a shop / café at the Wee House of Glenshee, on the A93. We arrived too late and hence, after another 10 minutes, just over the A93, we camped for a second night.

Various shots from Spittal of Glenshee to Lair

This week / Cateran Trail, Perthshire, Scotland

Another week, and I’ve been so busy, but am writing now more than before (finally). Will give a review of a restaurant (a changing one) that I’ve been to recently in Glasgow, but will start with a recent walking holiday, on the little known Cateran Trail, in Perthshire – Will be back as well!

The Cateran Trail:

Had heard of this a few years past, when in Kirkmichael / Blairgowrie, and felt intrigued, as it was both circular, and remote – We needed to use a tent two nights.

The first day, we travelled from Kirkmichael to just by the Lunch Hut (Used by none other than Queen Victoria a long time ago!) on the way to Spittal of Glenshee. Enjoy the fotos, it was actually quite warm, and the stream next to the tent site was beautiful to drink from.

Road Trip – Tarbert, Loch Fyne and Surroundings – Part 2

Continuing about our recent trip to the west of Scotland; after the visit to Tarbert, we went further south to a very small hamlet called Skipness, which is also reachable by bus from Tarbert. Whilst there is no pub, and even the Post Office / Village Shop is now unfortunately closed, we did manage a walk to Skipness Castle there, and went by Skipness Smokehouse (that was closed on the day).

We continued with a circular route that lead us back to Skipness, where I had a wonderful conversation with the warden(?) of the Church of Scotland there, at St Brendans. Afterwards, we returned to our accommodation for the night.

Beach Back to Skipness / St Brendans COS

The next day, we meandered back the way we came to Glasgow, along the A83, where we stopped at both Lochgilphead and then Inveraray. The final stop was at the great, though now, quite posh Loch Fyne Oyster bar, for some of the best soup I’ve ever had.

Lochgilphead (1-3), Inveraray (4-6), Loch Fyne Oyster bar (7-8)

Road Trip – Tarbert, Loch Fyne and Surroundings – Part 1

Early last year, I was in this region, and rather disgracefully, that was the first time that I’d ever been in this part of Scotland. Well, I’ve returned and can only say I’ll be back.

On the way up, we took the normal route to the west of Loch Lomond following the A82 and noticed, that the recent cold weather had brought more snow onto Ben Lomond.

After Loch Lomond, we headed west on the A83 and stopped at Slanj Restaurant, located in an old church of some sorts? After a miniature fish and chips (recommended), continued on the A83 to the first point of interest, the area known as Rest and Be Thankful, worth a visit! An area that is notorious for rock & mud slides and that has had traffic controls on it for some time now.

We got lucky and were first in the queue! With a lovely view of Beinn an Lochain.

Later, we continued with the A83 and wound up in, after driving by the Loch Fyne brewery & restaurant, passing through Inveraray, and then Lochgilphead; our accommodation at Stonefield Castle, where we were staying fro the weekend. More about those first three places in Part 2.

The castle is fab (food, view, service) and the next day we took a trip to nearby Tarbert. With it being the second time there, I noted that it is not a toy town Scotland; people actually live and work here. It may not be filled with Londoners and their organic tofu café’s but still has a certain, realness to its charm.

Enjoy the photos.