Trivia, Mundane – Curious Bystander

Rap & it’s decline; at long last . . . ?

*De la Soul – Alt Hip Hop – Sensational performance at Reading Festival in the Early 90s*

https://www.nme.com/news/music/there-are-no-hip-hop-songs-in-the-us-top-40-for-the-first-time-since-1990-3905278

I found it interesting that I came across the above article, and it didn’t seem to get much attention in the press recently. I remember when I was young—in the late ’80s and early ’90s— I was completely wrapped up in the music scene, and then hip-hop arrived.

*the Definition of Sound* *– Inventive, London Hip Hop*

I always thought hip-hop was wonderful: a fusion of styles and sounds. Sure, many artists didn’t play instruments, but the music they created was fun, danceable, and perfectly suited to the genre. Also, I felt that there was an enormous variety to the genre; the pictures above and below showcase some of my favourites.

The thing about rap, is that I was never a big fan; always thinking that Hip Hop was just SO much more inventive and clever. Also, imho American music in general is at times, very compartmentalized. It always felt to me, that the country was more reliant on corporate acts, and simply did not have a very great “pop” tradition like the UK had.

Playlists were predictable: hip-hop for predominantly ethnic & city audiences, country for rural listeners, and so on. But then, in the early to mid-’90s, both genres began crossing over and hitting the pop charts. The rap acts started to become huge, as well as, in my opinion completely mediocre acts such as Garth Brooks; dreadful. How he is rumoured to be the best selling, single artist in history is mind-blowing. Let’s be honest here, did he ever write & record a Wichita Lineman? A Walk the Line? Etc?

As for rap, part of the popularity (as with any genre) may have to do with how charts work now compared to then. Today, many songs rely heavily on a small group of fans streaming tracks repeatedly. For example, five regular fans might play a song ten times a month—that’s 50 plays. But if one superfan plays it 100 times a month (about 3x / day) that single listener can push the numbers up dramatically (too my knowledge). This wasn’t the case back when you bought an album or a record. One sale was one sale, and that was it. If you never played that song / album again, or if you did; it meant nothing. The sale was the sale. Spotify doesn’t track unique listeners in the same way. They don’t say, “This person listened once three weeks ago, so that’s enough.” Instead, repeated plays count, which is why some pop and rap songs can stay in the charts for an incredibly long time.

This is something that probably needs to be addressed—but that’s another discussion. If Rap is fading, or if it’s just slowly declining, it raises the question: when the charts finally shift, what will take its place?

PS – These are my own opinions. This is not a music blog, I could WELL be incorrect.

June in Glasgow, Scotland – Eating out & general comments –

I’ve wondered a lot about just how people can go out nowadays, as the prices I feel are utterly outrageous; particularly since the end of the COVID days.

Boy, was I wrong, as it seems not only has this not stopped people going out to eat, but even for myself (below); I’m still out about 5-10 times a month!

I’m not bragging, though this also includes cafes; which being a tea drinker, certainly saves me money compared to the Lattemacchiatochino-oatmilk mob.

Inside Cottonrake
Cake, tea & Coffee
View to Great Western Road

Our first stop was Cotton Rake, a charming specialty bakery known for its artisanal breads. This gem offers a range of loaves, from rustic sourdough to unique creations that balance quality and affordability. The bakery is a haven for dessert lovers, with a tempting selection of pastries and small bites. It’s often bustling, but the cozy atmosphere and delightful view make it worth the visit.

Next, we strolled down Dumbarton Road & Argyle Street, and came to a hidden treasure called the The Hidden Lane and its Hidden Lane Cafe, a quaint café tucked away in a quiet corner. With the option to sit indoors or at outdoor tables, it’s perfect for soaking in a relaxed, uncrowded vibe. The café is dog-friendly. It’s a lesser-known spot, managed (at least six months ago) by someone from Hong Kong (I thought), though I didn’t see them during this visit. The service was impeccable, making it a great place to escape the hustle and bustle – Nice collection of dolls at well!?

Bahn Mi and Tea
Inside
Spring Rolls (uncooked)
Again
Sauces
Inside look at Counter

For a taste of something different, we visited Banh Mi & Tea, a Vietnamese diner with Chinese and French influences. This affordable café serves fresh, flavourful dishes, including French baguettes stuffed with Vietnamese fillings. Their French vanilla coffee creamer is a standout, complementing the bready food. For under £10, you can enjoy a roll, a meal, and a drink—a fantastic deal for such fresh, high-quality food.

Cake and Wine!
Again with Tea
Again
Looking out to Dumbarton Road

Another highlight was Celinos, a family-run Italian café and restaurant that’s become a local favourite. Over the years, they’ve elevated their menu (and décor inside), and it’s always packed. On this visit, we stopped by for a late drink and couldn’t resist their dessert wine, a Frangelico, which tasted like a heavenly, hazelnut port. Even though we only had desserts and drinks this time, the staff were accommodating, and the experience was as friendly as ever.

In the ever-evolving Yorkhill area of Glasgow, we explored Corner Shop, a new Spanish tapas and wine bar. This upscale yet approachable spot offers small plates with huge flavours and a carefully selected wine list featuring Spanish varieties amongst others. We loved the Prosecco and raspberry sherbet dessert, but the standout was their tortilla. Unlike the traditional version I learned to make during a recent cooking course in Mallorca, this tortilla was intentionally runny in the centre—a modern twist inspired by a renowned Madrid chef (possibly Garcia or Jimenez) over the last few years.

While it wasn’t my favourite, the dish was still delicious, and we capped the meal with a Pedro Ximénez sherry, a rich, velvety blend of burnt port and sherry – at least that’s what it tasted like to me; divine.

Finally, just around the corner from my home is My Bakery, a small but iconic spot that helped modernize the area’s bakeries a few years ago. This café and bakery no longer offers indoor seating but has a few outdoor tables perfect for people-watching. Adjacent to it is a bookshop run by the business, selling cookbooks for just £5. On this visit, we picked up Rick Stein’s French Adventure (2019), a nod to one of the best BBC cooking series I’ve ever watched. I’m already looking forward to revisiting the series for inspiration.

Gretna Green and its Blacksmith’s Experience – A surprise

We recently got back from a trip to Germany—more on that later, as I’ll also get into what we’ve been up to the last year. I’ve barely blogged over the past year, so there’s plenty to catch up on. This trip, we travelled from Manchester to Bavaria. It was surprisingly affordable, and we merely just drove down and stayed overnight at the airport, as we had an early, cheap flight to Germany the next morning. Next time though, we’ll take the train; as it goes directly into Manchester Airport.

On the way back from the Euro adventure, we decided to break up the four hour drive, and decided not to stop at the great Tebay Farm Shop —one of the best farm shop restaurants around the UK, if not the world—but to push a bit further past Carlisle just over the Scottish border. We’d been to this area before but never to Gretna itself.

We spotted a sign promising a “Blacksmith Paradise” or something horrid like that and decided to check it out. Little did we know , that it’s still the famous spot where people—years ago, and even now—actually get married.

I’ve always heard of Gretna Green, especially when I lived in England—it was the first thing people mentioned. “Oh, you’ve got to stop at Gretna Green if you’re ever in Scotland,” they’d say. That was 30 odd years ago. Things have changed a lot since then, but it’s still a wonderful wee place— traditional and yet somehow modern.

These days, they can host up to 20 weddings a day! It’s fascinating—you can be part of something that feels both timeless and contemporary. But it’s not just a wedding spot anymore. It’s almost a fun park now, with more to offer – cafe’s, blacksmith experience, weddings, park walks, and a well stocked out farm shop.

Sculpture / Milk Machine!

To top it off, as we left the store, there was an interesting milk machine, that is not doubt a big help for the local diary farmers. The price was reasonable, and you get farm fresh milk.

Glasgow’s Cherry Blossom Magic: A Spring Spectacle in Scotland –

Interesting, all of a sudden I see nothing but cherry trees here in Glasgow in the west of Scotland. I know they’ve always been here, but I’ve always wondered why, and I’ve always wondered are they the cherry trees as in Japanese Cherry trees? Well apparently after doing a wee bit of research, many are. And from past recollections I know that they don’t bloom long, several weeks at the most.

Equally the past several weeks it hasn’t rained, and being quite bright, I took some shots and I decided to actually look into this; like who brought them here, how long have they been here, and just what exactly they are.

Along western Sauchiehall Street (below) –

A Glimpse into History
Glasgow’s cherry trees trace back to the Victorian era, when Japanese culture captivated Britain after Japan opened to the West in the 1850s. Glasgow’s wealthy embraced ornamental cherries as symbols of beauty and status. Parks like Glasgow Green (expanded in the 19th century) and Kelvingrove Park (opened 1852) showcased these trees to reflect a certain civic pride. Many current trees were planted in the 20th century, particularly post-WWII, during urban renewal efforts in areas like Great Western Road, that goes through the housing schemes there, on the way out of the city.

Great Western Road (below) –

Species and Japanese Roots
Glasgow’s trees, mostly from the Prunus genus, mirror Japan’s sakura. Common species include Prunus serrulata (with showy ‘Kanzan’ or ‘Shirofugen’ cultivars), Prunus x yedoensis (Yoshino cherry), and occasionally Prunus avium or Prunus subhirtella. These are botanically similar to Japan’s cherries, sporting pink or white single or double blooms. However, Glasgow’s cooler, wetter climate means later blooms (April vs. March) and smaller, scattered areas where the trees actually are.

Botanical Gardens (below) –

Are the Cherries Edible?
Don’t be tempted to eat them! Most of Glasgow’s cherry trees are ornamental, bred for their stunning flowers, not fruit. Varieties like Prunus serrulata may produce small, bitter cherries—or none at all—that aren’t palatable. While some trees, like Prunus avium (wild cherry), can yield edible but tart cherries, urban trees are rarely maintained for food and may be treated with pesticides. For safety and taste, stick to the cherries from the shops. These trees are a feast for the eyes, not the stomach, especially in places like Glasgow Green or Kelvingrove Park.

The West End (below) –

Make the Most of It
The cherry blossoms won’t be around for much longer, so if you’re that way inclined, grab your mobile, take some photos and explore Glasgow’s streets now.

Doors Open Day Part 2: Exploring St. Bride’s Church: A Hidden Gem in Glasgow, Scotland

St Brides Episcopal Church, Glasgow, Scotland

The day before my visit to the Tenement House, I decided to wander around the West End of Glasgow. This tree-lined, leafy area is very middle-class, with many Chinese students near the university and various hospitals. It is probably the most desirable place to live in Glasgow, perhaps even in Scotland.

Doors Open Day is a celebration that occurs every September in Glasgow, showcasing many different buildings, with churches being one of the highlights.

Like many other churches in Glasgow, St. Bride’s Church is not only old but also grand and elegant. It appears to be well-maintained, showcasing the care taken by its community. According to my research, it is a member church of the Scottish Episcopal Church, which is part of the global Anglican Communion, with the Archbishop of Canterbury serving as its head.

The church exudes a warm and welcoming atmosphere, evident from the numerous bulletins, brochures, and various “churchy” materials I observed. These resources indicate that St. Bride’s is a hive of activity, hosting many services and a plethora of music concerts.

During my visit, I noticed a Bach or Baroque group rehearsing inside, presumably preparing for an upcoming concert either at the church or elsewhere in Glasgow.

With the added charm of delicious cakes, tea, and coffee, I left St. Bride’s Church with a positive impression.

I already have a “Church of the Month” category on my blog that I haven’t utilized enough. Perhaps I can make it a point to explore more of these hidden gems in the future.

Modern European Holidays – Time for a Change?

Isn’t it amusing these days (btw I’m in Germany)? It seems like everyone’s perpetually jet-setting off on holidays. But does anyone truly enjoy it anymore? Or is it just too crowded, too pricey, too overrated to actually like them these days? I’ve heard so many people recently tell me, that they’re glad the holiday is over, as they can now finally relax!

Everywhere you go, tourist spots are packed, and even the less-travelled paths are swarming with people. What could the future of vacations possibly look like?

Consider the above photo, for instance. They’re both completely happy in posing for this photo, a pose they’d never dream of indulging in back home or in front of their friends! Yet, here they are, unabashedly racing down this Rodelbahn on holiday. It makes you wonder just how insane people become when they’re on vacation. Haven’t we all done something on a trip that, upon reflection through holiday photos or Facebook posts, makes you cringe and question, “What possessed me to do that?” – I have.

I vaguely recall an article that was written pre-COVID, about the summer vacation scene in Europe; it was in either by the Wall Street Journal or The Economist, and spoke about the sheer numbers of people that would descend upon Europe each summer; and the number of businesses banking on this.

Equally, the attached photo that was at the start of this particular article exemplified this: it featured two young ladies, probably between 20 and 25, in inflatable balloons you could walk in. And that is exactly what they were doing. In this case (if I remember correctly), casually in front of the largest church in Venice, St Marks Basilica.

The audacity! The churches must be rolling in their architectural graves.

Now, talking about the future of vacationing or, rather the need for modification, cities are finally waking up to the chaos and are implementing new rules & taxes to regulate the overwhelming influx of tourists. And Venice itself has decided to do this, undoubtedly intended to either finance tourist-friendly improvements or maybe just to spite them! Perhaps the city believes it provides either too much or too little for tourists, but nothing for its own citizens . . . an intriguing idea indeed. In this case, everyone over 14 will have to shell out 5 euros a day, just to enter the beloved city.

I blogged about a similar scenario last year when I travelled to Brussels, back in January, thinking I’d have the city to myself. How wrong I was! The old city during those three days was like a mass evacuation drill. Thousands of tourists running amok, yelling, screaming, and bumping into each other while simultaneously trying to take selfies. It was absolute chaos. The same story also unfolded to me about five years ago in Amsterdam during March, expecting a respite from the summer crowd. Wrong again. It was bursting at the seams.

Then, we embarked on a biking tour, heading to Leiden, famous for Rembrandt. But guess what? It was just as mobbed. After a few days of this insanity, we tried Harlem, and it was also packed. Even securing a dinner reservation on a Saturday or Sunday night proved challenging. Clearly, something needs to change in the future.

Ideas? –

One, impose more tourist taxes, channelling these funds into better infrastructure for visitors. With this extra cash, a city might not even need that many tourists for certain areas to survive.

And two, why not consider a drastic idea? Given how airports are currently akin to cattle markets, maybe a one-time cut in flights, say 10%, with a corresponding rise in airfares, could be the answer.

I’d happily pay a little extra for some legroom, a more leisurely airport experience, or the luxury of booking half-empty rooms near the tourist hotspots, even if it did cost more.

Was für a Christmas Market – Edinburgh 2023

Hello! We recently visited Edinburgh to explore its Christmas markets, and it was of course, delightful with a fantastic atmosphere. What’s interesting is that there were so many tourists. We weren’t exactly sure that there would be such a large crowd, but there was. It was also interesting to hear all the different accents – German, French, Italian, along with English and American ones – thoroughly cosmopolitan. Unlike Glasgow, it wasn’t raining, or at least not too much!

What’s also intriguing is how Edinburgh easily lends itself to the experience, much more so than Glasgow. Once again, there’s a certain rivalry between the two cities, but Edinburgh boasts that castle, the huge mound, and the deep-ravine so close to Waverly train station. It’s a natural amphitheatre, and is just so much better than anything Glasgow could offer, at least in terms of atmosphere and natural topography.

We chose to stay in a nearby hotel because, from past experiences, coming back to Glasgow on the same night simply never worked out before. In this case, we could stay as late as possible and then make our way back, even if the hotel was completed overpriced (Editor: Aren’t they all!?).

I won’t disclose the exact amount because I can’t count that high, but it was a treat from someone I know.

However, after a walk of about 1 km, with a light show, you could finally get into the market, and spend a lot of money whilst in. One instance was £5.80 for gluhwein, or in this case, a Kirschwein (cherry wine). What irritated us was that some booths had a tip box for this overpriced stuff. Come on! This is utterly ridiculous. I shouldn’t need to pay a non-service tip.

If I want to tip someone, it should be for a service, such as serving my table with food, and NOT just for the point of sale. You can stick it up your ass!

As usual, there’s the atmosphere, the prices, and the fact that it was overly crowded. Where we went to, was the East Princes Street Garden market, which was the main one, but in reality it was part of the Edinburgh’s Christmas, with (see the Map above) several other places nearby.

Some “rose coloured” cafés to have lunch in – When did this trend start?

Interesting. The other day, I decided to explore the trendy Finnieston scene in Glasgow with my partner in crime. Over the last decade, this part of the city has witnessed an explosion of nightlife spots and a diverse range of places to eat, catering largely to a middle-class crowd.

During our exploration, we came across Derby Lane, a pub that doubles as a bar, café, and primarily a restaurant. Intrigued, we decided to have brunch there.

What caught our attention was the ambiance here, reminiscent of what I’ve seen years ago in London, particularly in Chelsea, when I walked by a place adorned with pink roses everywhere – on the outside, on tables, and on the walls. After an internet search, I’ve discovered that whilst in the process of going to Wimbledon, I believe in 2019, the place we stumbled upon was the Maitre Choux, that has now since closed.

Since then, a simple internet search reveals that these establishments have proliferated. I have no idea where this trend originated, but it’s fascinating how these places, whether classified as flower pubs, rose pubs, or girly pubs, have become widespread.

In fact, I believe they have now morphed into something called, rather horribly, Barbiecore pubs!? Who the hell started that tag?

Our brunch experience at Derby Lane was delightful. Priced at £11.00, the vegan breakfast was excellent (btw, I’m not a Vegan), and the service matched the quality of the food. As we enjoyed our meal, we couldn’t help but notice the diverse, young, crowd – I felt over-the-hill! A gang of three younger females had grabbed the window table, and I overheard that they couldn’t understand the concept of something called a “cd”!

I felt even more ancient. . .

The waiter, who seemed well-versed in all things Glasgow, engaged us in a pleasant conversation about just what to do that evening, as we had mentioned going to a choir concert.

He even shared some insights about a Gaelic choir in Govan, which I found particularly interesting. It turns out it’s located south of the river in Glasgow, contrary to what I initially thought – it’s not in the West End.

Overall, it was a very nice experience.

8 of 10

Equally, after running the dreadful Glasgow Half Marathon in October, the Merchant City part of the city was buzzing, and we managed to find a place at the Sorriso Cafe; yet another “rose” cafe.

This was again, completely middle-class and tolerable. Service was outstanding, considering it was packed, and the food was outstanding.

I had a stereotypical, egg and avo concoction, that was passable and was served incredibly quick.

8.5 of 10

Ryte

Halloween is over so soon . . . Vegan Sweets & My Own Private Idaho

This is my first time in writing for some time, I can only say is, don’t buy another house and don’t travel too much, it’s so time consuming you don’t have much time to do blogging!

It’s only been a week since Halloween, but maybe that’s why I’ll start on this subject. And it’s interesting, as I live in a nice area called the West End of Glasgow and was asking someone the past few days, what if one of the brats here would actually ask for vegan sweets?

Vegan candy! And believe it or not, a person near and dear to me recently told me that this has actually happened (below).

Apparently, one of those person’s colleagues has children who were demanding it in a particular area in Glasgow in the West of Scotland; and when they were not provided with it, they proceeded to storm away from the specific house whilst trick-or-treating!

I don’t know if this is true, but good God can’t you file this case under first world problems?

Maybe so, maybe not.

But I digress. Halloween is actually a famous anniversary near and dear to me.

Because it’s 30 years to the day (Halloween 1993) when the late, great, River Phoenix, an actor from the 80s and 90s, actually died. The place of death being the infamous Viper Club in Los Angeles. That was or is now owned or at one time was owned, by Johnny Depp.

So several months ago, on this 30 year anniversary year, I decided to go to a screening of Phoenix’s greatest role, that of a male prostitute in My Own Private Idaho, to see just how good it was. Remembering that I actually saw this classic over 30 years ago in 1991 at the GFT (Glasgow Film Theatre).

I can only say that not only did this not disappoint, but was actually better from what I remember. Between him and Keanu Reeves, they did something that normally young actors don’t do – they didn’t posture during the film.

Anyway, anyone that hasn’t seen the movie should be told that it’s about two hustlers in Portland, Oregon & Italy, both male prostitutes who develop a friendship. One being very rich, the other being a grifter played by Phoenix.

The one part I had a problem with all those years ago, was the theme involving a Shakespearean storyline. I don’t know whether this was King Lear or whatever but I never thought that it worked. On second thought, it works perfectly, and sums up the dilemma that both of them must resolve.

In addition, Reeves was surprisingly outstanding (his character was caught between his lo-life style, and his soon to be rich life), but it was only a few years later, after he had made the dreadful Johnny Mnemonic, that the press and certainly the music press, started referring to him as Olivier. This being an obvious dig at his limited acting ability, which is utter nonsense, as only a few years later he then starred in the Matrix franchise.

The last scene involving Reeves was a fitting ending to the movie by Gus Van Sant. If you can see it, particularly on the big screen, go for it or if not, rent it or whatever on Amazon.

CB.

A Greggs Drive-Thru – A surprise in Clydebank, Scotland

They must be doing something right here, as it seems that Greggs is going from strength to strength.

Right now, there are about 14 of these in the UK, and they no doubt have intentions to open more. They, to me surprisingly, started 80 years ago in Gosforth, near Newcastle; and now have over 2,000 restaurants in the UK.

My partner in crime suggested that it would be new to go here, and so we did. The menu is the same, the shops though, being purpose-built, are more spacious and seem brighter and fresher than those you would find on the High Street.