If you have been in Partick, in the West of Glasgow the last few weeks, there is a smattering of new street art:
Purdon Street Mural
I think that it’s both colourful and bright; a cure-all for our awful weather here in the West of Scotland!
My only complaint, is that it is replacing some of the murals that were created to celebrate the 2014 Commonwealth Games, that were held here back then. If you disagree, please go here, to add your opinions to Partick Community Council.
More this week from Lisbon, and various other things.
I was gifted this, due to Costello’s fascinating, recent guest star role on the BBC’s Saturday Kitchen a few months ago. Watch it! I didn’t know that a post-punker, etc, could have such a comprehensive knowledge of food and veggies; though it’s probably due to his upbringing, as his father was a green grocer.
He was unbelievably down-to-earth, with not a hint of pretentiousness.
The boy named if
So why not go to his new tour, and after his recent, very rocky new album, The Boy Named If, which happened to hit Number 1 here in Scotland; I thought it was required!
Elvis Rocking
He was outstanding, with just under two hours of playing all the hits, some album cuts, and as he stated, three Nick Lowe songs. The best being Heart of the City, one of my all time faves from the post-punk era.
Yes, there was the usual left-wing banter, in front of the SNP / Anti-Royal crowd, though how this is ever relevant to my musical taste is unknown to me. Though he did get the best (quite easily) of one complainer, who simply shut up, after Costello asked him if he was then going to run for office, if he thought things were that bad!
There were the usual hidden surprises for me, one highlight was Green Shirt, the first Costello song (along with Accidents will Happen – cool video for so long ago), that I ever heard. After this gig, I actually found out that there was a demo version – that is quicker and probably more my taste.
Naturally, in this out of kilter, woke world, he did not play Oliver’s Army, which of course I vehemently disagree with, though hey it’s his show.
The one thing or two things, that were off-putting, are both the sound system and the lack of available bogs at the end of the show – the queues were huge! The sound once again suffered from a ridiculous sound level, with multi-tracks, that bordered on the deafening.
With his songs, he should really have played completely live – Elvis, just show up, plug into some Marshalls, and give it a go.
Will soon report back on my recent forays to the Highlands, Lisbon!, and America (the last 2 weeks).
So went for a walk the other day, and in my effort to have 10,000 steps per day, bumped into the delightful, Hyndland Fox, that also (it was a Sunday), had a bi-weekly comedy club that we’ll check out soon.
I honestly didn’t know that, but who knows, maybe everything is getting back to normal finally?
I’ve been here before, and the one thing they’ve done, is to serve a more, minimal, fish and chips – let’s be honest, I can never really finish an entire, normal portion – with it usually being top-heavy with batter.
This is could handle easily. The pal’s food, was a more and more typical dish, with a red sauce being sent out with mussels. Though, I would normally prefer the white wine sauce, this was interesting.
Had another Perthshire trip in the bag, this time to the sister “city” of Dunkeld, Birnam. Maybe it’s the poorer little relation, but still has something, particularly the home / place / whatever of Beatrix Potter, author of the Peter Rabbit books.
Birnam Hotel, Blue Plaque
The hotel was right out of the 19th century! I love these type of things and I came across a “floor light” or whatever it’s called? I’ve never seen one of these things. But if you looked above it, to the roof, maybe it was a proto-type skylight? Who knows?
Skylight from the 19th century?
Also, there seems to be a little bit of money in this place, as various rooms looked completely up to date, which can only be a good thing.
Various shots
And it was only opposite, where there were various Potter types of elements, and also a theatre, museum / café dedicated to her memory.
Various things a la Beatrix Potter
Where the attendant was nice enough to let us have a look, even though they were officially closed.
Was told by the attendant here, that only a few years ago, this building, the Burgh Hall, was vacant and then purchased for £1.00 – what a bargain, and what an interesting inside here – with both an exhibition hall and a café – both work very well.
Dunoon Burgh Hall
As for the exhibition area, at the time there was a film / projection on black history in Scotland. Don’t know if it was my thing, but on the other hand, I’ve always been a sucker for these type of avant-garde installations; normally on a wall or screen, with much space about.
OMOS Installation, Dunoon, Scotland
It had a flow to it and an atmosphere that I adored.
Various shots from OMOS
As for the cafe, it had my favourite, being Coronation Chicken, that was a ten from 10!
Yeh, have not been on here enough – work, travel, etc; but will defo do more this week, finishing my latest travel to both Germany and Dunoon, but also will look back at my trip to Perthshire (Dunkeld / Birnam) again, the last week. But first, what about some brand new street art today in Glasgow.
New art on South Woodside Road
And I think it looks just fine! Plus, the artist was there, having just completed his work of art. And I believe he goes by the name of “@markwurst”, but am not really sure.
Another shot from the east, looking west
Cool! As I do not have a SINGLE bit of artisticness in my body.
More blogging about my trips to Bavaria and Dunoon, more cafe reviews(!) and maybe something else.
OMOS Presentation, Dunoon
But it was interesting to see that even in good, ole Dunoon, there is some form of an art scene. In this case, they had a film / presentation about 500 years of black culture in Scotland, and I will “review” it shortly for all to see!
Art Centre in Dunoon
In addition, the “art house” that housed it, had a brilliant café as well, and naturally I’ll review it also.
Also this week, I will start a series, of looking at just how good (or bad) supermarket cafe’s are! I’ll begin with Morrisons in Partick. If I survive the food, I’ll blog about it. . .
Following on from the boat trip from Gourock, the High Street is short, sweet and with the sun almost idyllic. And thought, as the screen shot below from Google Maps shows, that there is a preponderance of Churches! With the above, Cowal Kirk – High Church, being the most impressive.
They’re Everywhere!
After this, we meandered down the High Street, or should say correctly, Argyll Street, where there was everything one would want on a short day trip; cafe’s, restaurants, sights (the Churches, Promenade), etc.
Argyll Street (the High Street)
And we found some “cute” things, such as mini-kilts for your wine or whiskey bottles, and some “designer” tea pots!
Equally, we also entered a “modern” type of tourist shop, which had an affinity for both Tunnock Tea Cakes and the Scottish artist JoLoMo.
Worth a visit.
And even though it’s April, found a Christmas shop, presumably open year round?!
Here’s one of them, and that’s right, they’re in German!
Ticket to Nurnberg
First of all, even if German is not your strength, the ticket machines for the mainline German trains (though still a little confusing) can be set to English:
They ALWAYS look the same!
The above is for tickets for Deutsche Bahn, NOT for the U-Bahn or city trains.
The ticket was for a single, and the distance travelled was about 20km; all for about £4.50. Not cheap, but certainly not expensive. IMO, about the same price as for an equivalent distance here in the UK. The distance would be like going from Glasgow to Johnstone in Renfrewshire (As a Scottish example!).
If the machines are not for you, most of the major cities will also have a Travel Centre (Reise Zentrum) for you to buy them using English. I’ve also found most Germans are both helpful and speak very good English as well.
