Curious Bystander

Gardens in Glasgow – Westbourne Gardens, West End

This is a beautiful, functional place in the West End of Glasgow, and is yet again, a wonderful example of Victorian planning when they built just so much of Glasgow in the late 19th century.

Various shots of Westbourne Gardens, Glasgow

Westbourne Gardens happens to be situated in a conservation area (The Glasgow West Conservation Area) and subsequently has high house prices, but also with strict rules / laws that apply. To state:

Conservation areas were first introduced by the Civic Amenities Act 1967. The Planning (Listen Buildings and Conservation Area) (Scotland) Act 1997 provides the current legislative framework for the designation of conservation areas. A conservation area is defined in the Act as “an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance”.

All planning authorities are required by this Act to determine which parts of their area merits conservation area status. Glasgow currently has 22 (I believe it has increased to 25?) conservation areas varying in character from the city centre and Victorian residential suburbs to a rural village and former country estate.

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.

Week Ahead / Cafe’ Francoise, West End, Glasgow (again)

This week, will look back at some previous trips I’ve made in the last few years as I am simply “tripped out” at present; Thailand, USA, Hong Kong, and various visits around Blighty will be presented. Will also look at more places in Glasgow and delve into a bit more of the arts, food, etc.

But first, I don’t know how many times I’ve reviewed Cafe’ Francoise here in Glasgow, but recall one time when the breakfast was simply dreadful (the poach eggs were literally like rocks!)

Have to report that it is now improved and is worth the hat tip.

My favourite, and something that I almost always order, is there Huevos Rancheros, complete with avocado and chips.

This time, I sat outside on the pavement fronting Byres Road and all functioned quite well.

Kensington Gate Gardens, West End, Glasgow

Following on from a few days ago, when I started to showcase some of the private parks / gardens in Glasgow; my personal favourite is this diamond (below) in the West End (Ed; Again?!).

This is also located directly in front of some of the finest examples of red tenement housing on Earth. Please visit and walk by if you are ever here Glasgow – it’s only a 10 minute walk from Hillhead underground station.

Looking north towards Kensington Gate and their wonderful Tenements

Hughenden Drive Park, West End, Glasgow

This is the start of something that I have always found intriguing in certain parts of Glasgow, where from the Victorian era, there exists a great deal of private parks / gardens; if that is a correct terminology.

Park is bordered by Hughenden Rd, Devonshire Terrace & Hughenden Drive

I’ll look into why this is so, but in a delightful area, that also happens to adjoin a cricket pitch and tennis courts at the nearby Hillhead Sports Club, there is this wee gem, that is small enough to manage (at least to me?), but large enough to seem grand.

Enjoy.

Glasgow Photo of the Week / Naked Soup, Café, West End, Glasgow –

River Kelvin footbridge to Kelvin walkway

Interesting to note, that the trees and other “shrubbery” have seemed to increase in size the last few years? Or is it me? Or . . . is it that we more or less had a drought the last few months, and when the rains finally came the roots had increased, and the subsequent growth is maxed out? Don’t know, but it looked quite green and lush.

Afterwards, walked back to Byres Road, and after a quick left, right, finally decided to go to Naked Soup, that I had seen the last few weeks, with tables on the pavement later in the evening.

Thought this was strange, so after ordering a pint (they had one draft beer, the delightful Loch Fyne lager, and had a cooler full of other world beers in a bottle), was told that they’ve been renovated / changed a few months ago, and now serve the soup only until 3.30pm, with the remaining opening time to 9 or 10 for serving drinks, etc.

Hallelujah! We need more of these type of café’s / bistros / places to get a pint but are not a pub herein Glasgow. Long may it be so!

The Week Ahead . . . It’s hot here in the West of Scotland

This week, will try to put some photos of previous travels, as I am all “travelled out” and due to Corona, may not travel (and have not travelled) for a while.

In addition, will finally start several “series” about life in Glasgow; by looking at many of the small “green areas” we have here in the city, and a look at more of the wonderful church architecture that we have here as well.

But first, it’s hot! And it seems to be almost a desert forming here as a recent trip to play golf north of Glasgow shows.

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.