Curious Bystander

Oakwood – Garden Ctr / Cafe – The Harrods of this type of Place!

I was here one time, in the shop after a hike, and was too late to grab a meal – my loss. So it was always my intention to return.

Oakwood is one of these hybrid types of places, that was probably at one time only an outdoors garden centre, but has morphed into a “things you don’t really need to buy for the house” / garden shop / restaurant.

It’s on the road heading south to the Glengoyne distillery (which itself has morphed into something huge for the tourists) and if it wasn’t for the now, giant round about, you’d never know that it was even there.

What struck me, was the view! Something to behold as it faces south, via it’s gigantic windows, to overlook the nearby hill, Dumgoyne. IMO, it’s an unparalleled café view in Scotland, or at least one that is not too remote, or in the Highlands.

The food, Coronation Chicken and an Orange Cake(?), a new one to me, was typical but well done

Will return.

Ludlow – Day 4 –

Final day, and we finally had a proper walk around Ludlow, and was amazed at the number of older buildings here; many of the timber frame type.

After this, we had a delightful visit to the main church in central Ludlow, at the very top of the hill, St Laurences C of E, where I met a VERY well informed lady in the gift shop. She told me that Ludlow has over 500 listed buildings! Yes, like a living museum, but that’s fine by me. Also interestingly, on the way out, I noticed a novel way of giving!

In addition, I enquired as to why Ludlow, at least to me, is a secret Shangra La. She stated that the nearest motorway was 45 minutes away, and there were no direct London connections by train (This proved COMPLETELY true on our Day 5, as it did indeed take me 50 minutes to find the nearest motorway.). Fine by me as well, though she did say that there was a “Ludlow Bounce” in the house prices, that explained the slightly higher, though still reasonable, house prices in this area of England.

We finished the day, by going for a partial hike up the nearest hill we could find, Titterstone Clee Hill, that had stunning, 360 degree views of the surrounding area.

I’ll be coming back in September, for their annual food festival, can’t wait.

Offensive (2016) – Film / TV of the Week (Horror Channel)

How do you feel about the old, “revenge” film? There’s been many of them, but they’ve ranged from OTT nonsense, to special effects laden borefests, that overpower any form of narrative or character; try this one instead.

Russell Floyd and Lisa Eichhorn in Offensive

One could say Offensive is cliched, and unrealistic; but I’d disagree. The premise is when an American couple inherit a mansion in the French countryside, and even this has given them a sense of insecurity and unsureness – that blends in well when a local group of teenage trash, start to intimidate and attack them.

Naturally, the local police are not bothered, the other neighbours are equally intimidated, and the older generation that the couple are a part of, has long been consigned to the dustbin of history; but then . . . they begin to fight back.

The anger and violence is to be expected and has a certain rawness that you don’t really see in other types of these movies.

Recommended – 4 / 5

Week Ahead / Ludlow – Day 3

For this third day, we decided to do one of the many walks that exist here, particularly one that is low level and does not consist of a hill walk.

We started in central Ludlow, and went via Whitbatch, then to the racetrack near the golf club, and finally to the local farm shop, the Ludlow Farm Shop, that had literally everything that a foodie would ever want. On the way back, we had a quick check out of the ancient church, St Mary the Virgin’s, on the other side of the A49, at Bromfield.

Ludlow Golf Club, speaking of which, is designed by none other than James Braid (who would have known!) and is an 18 hole stretch, located entirely inside the race track!

Next time, we’ll be playing it!

Week Ahead / Ludlow – Day 2

Finally with some more time on our hands, will be saying what will do this week, and will continue with our recent Shropshire trip.

Will try to do some more cafe / restaurant things here in Glasgow, Scotland, as well as bringing back our “First Hit, Last Hit” series! In addition, more fotos from Glasgow, what fun!

Ludlow, Shropshire – Part 2:

We continued walking and discovering this part of England, that unbeknownst to me, is just SO close to Wales!

We decided to go for a walk, up the hill to the centre, and were entranced (pretentious!) with the charm and number of ancient buildings that we saw! Amazing whilst at the same time, it was packed with shopper, and came with a delightful area by the castle, complete with a market.

What I did notice, were the ages of most of the people. Yes it was mid-week, during the day, but the average age seemed well into the 60s range – which is fine by me. And while this and the buildings could lead you into thinking that this is not a place for you? Think again, as we passed by numerous pubs, cafes, shops and breweries!

Delightful and living.

Wine of the Week / TV of the Week –

TV:
None, except for Wimbledon and the Euros, though to be honest, football plays a small part of my life nowadays.

Wine:
As a fan of Saturday Kitchen, every Saturday morning on the Beeb from 10.00am

Their resident expert / lush, Olly, reiterated strongly, that this was not only different than a Malbec from Argentina, but was also a totally different wine – he was correct.

It’s light, very jammy and fruity and can be bought for about a fiver from Aldi – what more do you want?

Road Trip – Ludlow, Shropshire – Day 1

With us being still stuck in Glasgow, but with (finally) the opportunity to go south to England – Why not!

This was my first time in Ludlow and it won’t be the last (they have an annual food festival which I shall be attending later in the year).

What I found on my initial walk, as I arrived late on a Tuesday evening, was that the city itself, is reminiscent of either Carcassonne in France or even LaGuardia (A delight! Please go there if you can!) in La Rioja, in northern Spain.

Our flat and four other shots of our first evening in Ludlow

Equally, I was struck on just how many old, listed buildings that there were, whilst walking uphill, to the town centre, for a pint, at the Old Bull Ring tavern.

Glasgow – Photos of the Week – Glasgow University and their new Buildings

This weeks photo(s) come from our beloved Glasgow University and their huge building project (this one specifically is the James McCune Smith Learning Hub) that started some time ago, and will go on for some years yet.

These concern themselves with the new buildings / renovations in University Avenue and whilst not my taste, do seem to have given it a fresh look; although at times these type of things, do tend to date quite fast.

Various shots in University Avenue, Glasgow

Cafe’ – Tulipane Cafe, West End, Glasgow

This little place, complete at times with plants and outdoor seating, is one of these types of places that now are flooding the West End due to the incessant demand for them (map view)

What’s interesting is that this café and many others, are now moving further and further west, Tulipane happens to be in Thornwood, nearby the great Bibis (a Mexican place) amongst others, as more flats are being built nearby, by the Clyde river.

Their food is always great with friendly service, and the partner had a bowl of soup / German bread, that could feed an army.

Recommended.

The Cateran Trail – Part 4 (we cheated) to Bridge of Cally / Blairgowrie / The Strawberry Farm Shop, north of Perth

After the arrival in Kirkmichael and a bought lunch (tasted great!), we headed via car, to Bridge of Cally, with the intention of walking to Blairgowrie, which went astray! We stayed the night and the next day shifted with the car to Blairgowrie.

Various shots in Bridge of Cally – Last shot showed a fatal car accident!

What a very small place, with the hotel the Bridge of Cally hotel, being packed yet the food was wonderful – world class btw. We needed the sleep and chill, and the next morning, I discovered that the A93 to the front of the hotel was closed. After I enquired, I was told that this was due to yet another road fatality on the A93 to Blairgowrie. I can only say, that on the same road heading south to BOC, the level of driving whether a caravan or not, was simply appalling! Take care, though this may have been due to the fact that this was one of the first days where travelling was allowed after COVID.

Once in Blairgowrie, where we discovered that they are the Strawberry or Berry capital of the World, we went for a short roam, and found a path on the Cateran Trail, that followed the river into the town. Some shots are below, and was struck by the sheer beauty of the place. Afterwards had a tea / cake in a cafe, the delightful Cateran Cafe in the heart of Blairgowrie.

Various shots in and around Blairgowrie (note the new flats via Savilles!

Finally, after leaving on the A93 again to Perth, we came to a bend in the road and just simply HAD to stop at the best stocked farm shop (The Strawberry Farm Shop) I’ve seen. The cake / pecan pie / brownie was heaven!

After about £60 worth of grub was bought, we stumbled back to Glasgow.