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.
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.
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.
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.
Various shots of my delightful Brekkie!
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.
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
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.
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!
Curious Bystander 