If you have been in Partick, in the West of Glasgow the last few weeks, there is a smattering of new street art:
Purdon Street Mural
I think that it’s both colourful and bright; a cure-all for our awful weather here in the West of Scotland!
My only complaint, is that it is replacing some of the murals that were created to celebrate the 2014 Commonwealth Games, that were held here back then. If you disagree, please go here, to add your opinions to Partick Community Council.
More this week from Lisbon, and various other things.
Had another Perthshire trip in the bag, this time to the sister “city” of Dunkeld, Birnam. Maybe it’s the poorer little relation, but still has something, particularly the home / place / whatever of Beatrix Potter, author of the Peter Rabbit books.
Birnam Hotel, Blue Plaque
The hotel was right out of the 19th century! I love these type of things and I came across a “floor light” or whatever it’s called? I’ve never seen one of these things. But if you looked above it, to the roof, maybe it was a proto-type skylight? Who knows?
Skylight from the 19th century?
Also, there seems to be a little bit of money in this place, as various rooms looked completely up to date, which can only be a good thing.
Various shots
And it was only opposite, where there were various Potter types of elements, and also a theatre, museum / café dedicated to her memory.
Various things a la Beatrix Potter
Where the attendant was nice enough to let us have a look, even though they were officially closed.
Following on from the boat trip from Gourock, the High Street is short, sweet and with the sun almost idyllic. And thought, as the screen shot below from Google Maps shows, that there is a preponderance of Churches! With the above, Cowal Kirk – High Church, being the most impressive.
They’re Everywhere!
After this, we meandered down the High Street, or should say correctly, Argyll Street, where there was everything one would want on a short day trip; cafe’s, restaurants, sights (the Churches, Promenade), etc.
Argyll Street (the High Street)
And we found some “cute” things, such as mini-kilts for your wine or whiskey bottles, and some “designer” tea pots!
Equally, we also entered a “modern” type of tourist shop, which had an affinity for both Tunnock Tea Cakes and the Scottish artist JoLoMo.
Worth a visit.
And even though it’s April, found a Christmas shop, presumably open year round?!
Here’s one of them, and that’s right, they’re in German!
Ticket to Nurnberg
First of all, even if German is not your strength, the ticket machines for the mainline German trains (though still a little confusing) can be set to English:
They ALWAYS look the same!
The above is for tickets for Deutsche Bahn, NOT for the U-Bahn or city trains.
The ticket was for a single, and the distance travelled was about 20km; all for about £4.50. Not cheap, but certainly not expensive. IMO, about the same price as for an equivalent distance here in the UK. The distance would be like going from Glasgow to Johnstone in Renfrewshire (As a Scottish example!).
If the machines are not for you, most of the major cities will also have a Travel Centre (Reise Zentrum) for you to buy them using English. I’ve also found most Germans are both helpful and speak very good English as well.
More from a recent trip to Germany, and what I instantly noticed (ED; again!), is the number of different bike stands / bike racks / etc, in addition to the sheer volume of bikes – everywhere.
My favourite was this one:
Simple, but Effective
Though with the amount of rain we get in Glasgow, Scotland, they would all fill up with water quite quickly.
Coming from a recent trip to the cycling mad country of Germany, it was a pleasant surprise, to see the below “Wee Repair Station” outside of Gartnaval Hospital, in the west side of Glasgow.
Wee Repair Station
I’ve yet to see these elsewhere, though of course they no doubt are, but find these to be both needed and an encouraging sign that help is on the way for any struggling cyclists, in need of air.
Even instructions!
But what is strange, is that these are not by the Glasgow authorities, but, I believe, installed by Sustrans?
You know, at times, the same problems that we endure in the UK, are very present in modern Germany.
The “day trip” here, from Glasgow to Franconia (via Frankfurt) was a fiasco, with delayed and missed flights, and cancelled trains, but in the end I got to Bavaria.
But several things were noticed:
* Free COVID test centres for the “schnell Tests”
Quick Test cabin for COVID – Free of Charge
* Elaborate directions on how to stay safe.
“Help us to stem the further spread of Corona” or something like that!
* And as very often here, two twin beds, that are put together to form a double.
More doubles made from twins – Very Practical
I’ll blog more this week and next from this great “Land”.
Following up my first part, it was actually quite nice to have a long walk around the place, and not to think only of golf!
St Andrews Cathedral
St Andrews has a wonderful beach if that’s your thing, and an old, ruined cathedral, that happened to be closed to the public on the evening of my walk. Equally, I’ve always wondered why they can’t try to restore (at least partly) some of these ancient monuments? Who knows, it could make a delightful lecture theatre!
What I also discovered, are some quads that rival Oxford and other yoonis, and considering that St Andrews is on the small side, I was surprised there’d be enough room.
There seemed to be a lively buzz about this place, with the smallness, golf, students and compact town centre.
Projection
And although this was a Sunday, January night, it was most pleasant, though if you are in town at this day and time, reservations are key for a restaurant! We literally could only find one place that would have us, with the resultant meal being both dreadful, but also “on the house, as they had run out of pizza dough in a pizza restaurant!
Hey, still to show you more of my exploits in the delightful town (or city?) of St Andrews. Check this out, what a cool wee pub by the 17th Hole:
The Jigger Inn
A great place for a late night pint. The pub has been there for some time and is now run by the Old Course Hotel.
As said before, will show more snaps of St Andrews, but not really about golf, as it is just SO self-contained, with culture, a university, theatres, etc.
I personally love the architecture and noted that there are some small similarities with other universities such as Oxford!
What a lovely, self-contained city-village, a new word.
I’ve been here many times before, but not for a quick, New Year break. This place has everything; from the Cathedral ruins, to the beach, to the golf courses & museums, to the University, to a thriving craft beer / brewery scene, to a very compact city centre, ideal for walking, etc.
Room, view from room; it was Christmas season
I decided for a change, to go luxury; not really my scene, but the Old Course Hotel had everything for the discerning traveller, including excellent views of the Old Course itself.
The amazing thing, is that the Old Course is closed to golfers on the Sunday (to my knowledge) that resulted in us being allowed (along with many tourists, people with dogs, etc) to simply wander about on it – how cool! And for you who are not golfers, it’s a lovely, manicured walk.
Road Hole greenRoad Hole Bunker18th tee18th fairwaySwilken BurnSwilken Burn again
From the “Road Hole” – Number 17, to the Road Hole bunker, to the 18th
At the end of the walk, you come to the 18th green, and the Royal and Ancient Clubhouse.
Curious Bystander 