Curious Bystander

Loch Lomond – Part 3 – The picturesque village of Luss . . .

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!

Various shots of Luss and the quay on Loch Lomond

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.

Week Ahead / Loch Lomond – Part 2 – Golf!

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.

TV of the Week – “Weird or What?” – Blaze TV, Wednesdays (with Bill Shatner!)

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!

Various shots of Blaze TV’s “Weird of What?”

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.

Cafe’ – Sugarfall Patisserie, West End, Glasgow

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.

Loch Lomond – Part 1

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.

The Dales, Yorkshire, England – Reeth & Barnard Castle

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.

Various shots of Barnard Castle, Yorkshire

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.

Week Ahead / Nottingham and The Dales –

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.

Various shots, including Konta and Tiafoe

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