Observing life in Glasgow, Scotland, the UK, Europe and Worldwide; be they movies, tv, travels, food or eccentricities. . .
Have you ever walked by something in the street, and thought it was strange, until you investigated it?
It happened to me earlier today, whilst having an early Sunday morning walk, lo and behold, there were loaves of bread on a bench (attached to the frontage) in front of Kaf cafe’.
I decided on the cheddar, chipotle & rosemary, delish!
CB
I concluded my recent trip to the Loch Lomond area, by visiting the charming, drive-through village of Balloch, that comes complete with both good car and train connections, and is frequented by many day-trippers from the Glasgow area.
It was a short drive from Cameron House and we decided to go for a walk through Balloch and onwards to the Lomond Shores shopping complex / Sea Life aquarium. We actually became lost and so got back in the car and drove to this area.
Considering it was a day bathed in sunshine, we had a very quick walk around, and noticed the tourists, and also the very many people taking part in some sort of water sports on the loch.
We also noticed a great deal of young families here, not only for the sights, aquarium and loch, but also for the tree village / birds of prey area, something I will definitely visit in the coming months.
CB
I’ve noticed that the yooni is redesigning the layout / use of its University Avenue, and have started to change several things there. One is the installation of poles to provide some distance between the pavements and street, in front of the GUU (Glasgow University Union). No doubt a welcome change.
The other, along the road, are new pavements to the southern side of the avenue, yet are minus (so far) the old bike lanes? Not sure what to make of this, though will hope that there is some compromise for the bikes owners of the West End.
The other shots, are of Hillhead Library, which I simply do not know what the council were thinking of, when they replaced older buildings here in 1975 to construct this piece of brutalism.
Notice in many of the photos, there are different shades of gray! C’mon Glasgow, you can do better.
CB
Luss is one of those places that you like (it’s beautiful, has walks, is next to Loch Lomond, has a multitude of pubs / restaurants – and even has a scene or church from the film Four Weddings and a Funeral, if that’s your thing, at Luss Parish church – maybe it does, as the number of weddings in its diary is amazing!) or don’t like; it has too many tourists, there’s too many people from Glasgow (they simply DON’T travel any further north than here!), and has a packed carpark; though they do have a new, purpose built one on the south of the town since the last year.
I cycled to here from my Cameron House stay, and had a lunch among the midges that consisted of a wonderfully textured veggie burger (one of the best I’ve had) and chips, at The Village Rest cafe.
Midges
Interesting for those of you who have not had to survive the midges during a Scottish “summer”, it’s only later in the day, where one discovers that they’ve been bitten dozens of times by these things. The local “known” cure is Avon’s “Skin so Soft” and I would have to vouch that it does, indeed work, though I had forgotten to use it on this particular day!
For a laugh, please see this link, where a debate ensues! OTOH, there is also a product called Smidge, which I also use (and forgot to bring as well!), which has it’s own “forecast” as to the midge situation. Check it out!
After the lunch, we had a wander to the quay, and had an ice cream whilst watch the numerous queueing for the boat or trying their hands at canoeing, etc.
CB
The coming week will see a continuation of my last trip to Loch Lomond. Will also look at various things in Glasgow, churches, buildings and a look at alcohol, TV and the Arts.
Loch Lomond – Part 2 – Golf (The Carrick Golf Club)
Whilst at Loch Lomond, decided to try my hand at golf; this nightmare taking place at a superb club, The Carrick, complete with views and a stunning spa.
Amongst the hiking and biking, the course has an excellent clubhouse and restaurant, that I had lunch in. Everything seemed to never be a problem for the ever so helpful staff and if this is your thing, please do try it.
CB
Years ago there was a godawful show on American TV called “Ripley’s – Believe it or Not”, where a pompous Jack Palance, would enunciate these OTT words, whilst lighting a cigar and for emphasis, would add a brilliant pause . . . between it and or Not; staggering!
Logically following, we now have “The Shat” doing the similar, drawing out the title words, but with a degree of humour.
What amazes me, although at times I was yelling at the TV, is thinking that many of the claims were deranged nonsense, but it’s just so friendly and believable!
I thought that this was a new show; it isn’t as it’s actually nearly a decade old – time flies!
There are usually 3 to 4 stories per episode, with each pertaining to a distinct theme – this one was about parallel worlds, with the stories ranging from teleportation, to crystal skulls and shadow people.
Will watch again.
CB
Sugarfall is a place that I really have no idea if I’ve ever written about before. It’s a wonderful, high end (though expensive) bakery, that is similar to the very best of a French cafe’ (mainly aimed at cakes / deserts). So I will now.
I’ve been here numerous times over the last few years, but must say that this is the first time that I’ve encountered real cutlery here (or elsewhere)! And who knows, they could have been real gold as well?
It certainly goes with the surroundings, comes complete with a decent serviette, and is something that adds a touch of class to this establishment.
Though I must say, with their recent refurbishment they seem to be aiming at a more take-away clientele, having reduced the number of seats inside, whilst expanding the coffee / til area.
Not to worry, will return.
CB
With having to stay as close to Glasgow as possible, come on 19 July(!), had to contend with the lovely surroundings of Loch Lomond and the various places nearby a few weeks ago
Decided to rent a cabin (Hardly! More of a flat.) situated very close to Balloch, a delightful village, that can be reached by train (direct) from Glasgow. It was on the grounds of Cameron House, by Loch Lomond. It’s impressive and comes with a Boat House, 2 golf courses and water activities, if you dare.
The apartment was just fine. Forgive the fotos, but I simply could not fault either the facilities or the placement in the grounds.
More later, but I would return in the future.
CB
After Nottingham, decided on the way back to Glasgow, to stop at the lovely little village of Reeth, in the Dales.
This was merely half way or thereabouts, between the two cities, but apparently many others do, as the place was packed and we barely manage to grab the last room there.
The first night in Reeth, Yorkshire
Once there, had several meanders around the place; the night of arrival and the lovely Sunday morning that came later.
On the way back, we stopped for some delicious chocolate cake / tea, at another unheard town, that was delightful as well, Barnard Castle. That appeared to me, to be more of a “culture” capital of this area, if that can exist; with an abundance of cafes, shops and pubs.
Well worth a visit.
CB
Hey, this week will do a review of certain cafes here in Glasgow, particularly in the West End, look at some alcohol, and start to talk about my last trip during these horrible COVID days to the Dales in Yorkshire (but only for one day), after a stop off in Nottingham, to enjoy some tennis (in those pre-Wimbledon days)
After the trip to Shropshire, I thought, hey, what about a pre-Wimbledon tennis trip. Lo and behold, there’s a warm-up in Nottingham, where we witnessed both Johanna Konta and Francis Tiafoe (who ended up defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas, French Open finalist, at Wimbledon).
Wonderful! Small, only one food truck(!), but in scorching weather, we’ll be back.
CB
Curious Bystander 