Just Visiting – Page 23

Arty Farty – 8 January 2016

Posted on January 8, 2016January 8, 2016 by Zogman

combo b5 No procrastination today. Up, showered, grabbed my camera bag and drove to the station. Got my ticket and then realised I’d left the camera bag in the car, 200m away in the carpark. I didn’t have time to go back to get it, so carried on regardless. I did have my camera with me, in an emergency it would do the job. I was heading for the Arthur Melville exhibition in Edinburgh (AKA Embra). The exhibition was very impressive, such enormous watercolours. Some of the paintings had really subtle colours and others, full of luscious, deep, rich colours. I think what impressed me most was the lack of pencil outlines in the paintings. As well as the watercolours, the almost abstract oils were impressive, but it was the watercolours that won the day. While I was there, I visited the Turner Watercolour exhibition. It’s a show that goes on every January in Embra. Well worth going to both these shows.

The Princes Street gardens were full of workers taking down the Christmas attractions. With the amount of water that has poured from the skies recently being churned up by lorries, cranes and low-loaders it’s hard to believe that the grass will grow again, but I’m sure it will.

Spotted an interesting sign in Waverley Station. What’s so special about Coatbridge that means it gets its own weather forecast?

Icy start to the day and some bright sunshine, but then later the Tupperware box returned. Snow forecast for tomorrow.

Cramond – 28 December 2015

Posted on December 28, 2015December 28, 2015 by Zogman

Today we took JIC and Sim to Cramond. The weather was dry and we had a gentle walk along the the Almond to the waterfall. We agreed that beyond that, the path would get too muddy and slippery for those without boots, i.e. all of us. To waste some time we watched a red rubber ball trying unsuccessfully to escape the eddy below the waterfall. (You probably had to be there!) We walked back and had coffee and a scone at the quite excellent Falls Cafe before walking down to the estuary and deciding it was just too late to attempt the crossing to the island in the shadow of the ‘toblerones’. If you haven’t seen them, it will mean nothing to you. They were anti-submarine defences from WW2.

After that we drove home because Sim and JIC were meeting Scott for a liquid lunch and a catch up after twenty odd years.

While I made dinner, Scamp injected profiteroles with cream (more successfully than I did last week). Later JIC and Sim returned with the aforementioned (I like that word, did you guess?) Scott with his wife and wee girl. Scott hadn’t changed a bit. It was almost as if he had left out house the day before, rather than twenty odd years before. They stayed, reminiscing about exotic dancing and other escapades from the past and then it was time for dinner.

I’d already booked The Legend of Barney Thompson to watch after dinner. Oh dear, I wish now I hadn’t. It was the most dire film I’ve seen this year, or probably in any year. Whatever you do, don’t watch it. Absolute Crap! The book, well the first book anyway, was funny. The rest had nothing at all to recommend them. The book was just a ‘British Film’. Rubbish.

Don’t know what tomorrow will bring, we’ll let the fates decide.

The Far East – 12 December 2015

Posted on December 12, 2015December 12, 2015 by Zogman

Actually it wasn’t Japan, it was Embra and it rained. Went to get some emergency supplies of tea at my favourite Embra establishment. Just a wee tea shop where the proprietor doesn’t deal in metric measurements, only pounds and ounces. A great sense of humour and a total disregard for any Politically Correctness. A breath of fresh air in this world. Long may he continue to run his shop his way.

After coffee in Nero, we walked through the farmers’ market to get some venison for tomorrow’s dinner. Then it was along Princes Street to the Christmas Market. It was as busy as it ever is, but I was listening to a podcast this week and have to agree with the presenter. He was complaining that German Christmas Markets in this country are now run by Polish people selling goods made in China, and that seems to be as true here as anywhere else in the UK. Maybe it’s different in mainland Europe.

For a change we went in to one building of the National Gallery and I enjoyed looking at the painting by the Old Masters. After that we went in to the other building. What a difference. It was supposed to be award winners in some national competition.My one abiding memory is of a triptych of three ‘portraits’, like primary school pupils would have painted. What is the point of that? I’ve heard one critic try to explain how “Your child couldn’t have painted that”. In my opinion, her assertions simply proved that they could have. The Emperor’s New Clothes indeed.

After our cultural adventure we had lunch and went home. Wet and a bit disappointed. Sorry Embra, you just didn’t cut it today.

Perf – 9 December 2015

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Zogman

Today we went to Perth. Not Perth, Australia, but Perth, Scotland. Rather than drive there, or bus there, we decided to train. It was a lousy day. Dull, wet and windy. The train seemed to be a great idea and the trip north was very comfortable. I don’t know why they built the railway station so far out of town. Maybe the town centre was meant to be near the bus and rail station, but someone decided that a mile or so further down the road was a much more sensible situation for a town centre. Not to worry, the walk would do us good.

The main reason for the trip was to get more coffee and a Chrissy Prezzy for me. I was allowed to choose it, but after we got home it had to go to Santa until the 25th. After the purchases we went to The George for lunch: Fish & Chips (x2). It was lovely. By the time we came out it was just after 1.00pm and you could already see it was getting dark. I got some photos of some statuary near the river. After that we fought through the wind and rain on our way back to the station, only to find out we had a 45min wait for the train. A 45min wait on a metal seat next to a couple of joiners who were building a wooden box about two metres long by one meter wide by two metres high. I think it may be a waiting room, a new concept in Perth Railway Station. Even the dismal 1950s bus station waiting room is luxurious compared to Perth Railway Station’s waiting facilities: a metal bench that seats four. Food for those waiting is catered for by a drinks vending machine and a chocolate vending machine – superb! The station does have a sign saying ‘Welcome’, but that’s where the welcome ends.

Thankfully the journey home was quite excellent. Just under an hour for the entire journey from Perth Railway Station to Home. Scary though. Not the journey, but the amount of water that was passing by the windows of the train. So much water. Flooding everywhere from Perth to Stirling. It’s then you realise how lucky we are to live on a hill.

The Bonny (x2) Banks – 25 November 2015

Posted on November 25, 2015November 26, 2015 by Zogman

On paper, this looked like the best day of the week. I thought it would be good to go to Lomond Shores which, although it’s really just a collection of expensive tacky touristy shops, does have Loch Lomond as a backdrop. Today it also had, what must have been the slowest workforce in creation apparently laying down a new pedestrian walkway. This must be a new definition of ‘work‘ and ‘force‘. There was very little work being done and with the minimum of force. The shops seemed to be overloaded with Christlefridge tat. I really can’t stand this nonsense. Buy in cheap crap, stack it high, sell it dear and then sell off what’s left as ‘bargain’ items after the celebrations are over. Bah Humbug.

The upside of the visit was the scenery around the loch itself. With clouds scudding across the sky, the constantly changing light on the hills was fascinating. It was also good to see the seaplane landing on the loch. It must have been a beautiful flight today. One lucky day with the light just right.

The evening was spent trying once again to fix the Finder problem on the Mac. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before. If I have, you won’t want to hear about the lack of progress and if I haven’t, I won’t bore you with it. Suffice to say that the search continues.

Back to Reality – 20 November 2015

Posted on November 20, 2015November 21, 2015 by Zogman

An hour by the pool this morning, then a walk down through the town to buy a final load of stuff to take home, then a last coffee and roll ‘n’ sausage in The Pantry, but…

The holiday is over. We got the taxi early nearly 30 mins early and joined a queue at checkin. An hour later we got to security. Every other queue went down fine, except ours. The through security and duty-free to join the next queue at the departure gate. The. They changed the gate. Next was another hour’s wait for the plane. We’re now just thundering down the runway and rotate! Bye bye Tenerife until the next time. Last temp I saw was 25degrees. I think it may be cooler in Glasgow.

A walk on the windy side – 15 November 2015

Posted on November 15, 2015November 15, 2016 by Zogman

Oh calamity. This morning I boiled the kettle for water and coffee. When I poured Scamps water her cup cracked neatly down the side. We’ve had this pair of cups rattling around a yellow bag for ages and now I’d broken one. We realigned our targets for the day to include buying an other cup. Otherwise, today, as predicted we settled at the level 5 pool and soaked up the sun there for an hour or so, allowing me to get stuck in to my new Rebus book. It’s amazing how fiction mirrors life. Rebus has retired, but still hankers for his old life in the polis. I’m retired, but still occasionally hanker for my old life … But then I wouldn’t have the chance to go gallivanting to foreign climes, so there the similarity must end. However, I digress. We spent a useful hour or so reading and people watching at the poolside, then I decided to take the splurge literally. I was sitting with my feet in the water, steeling myself for the actual plunge when an Italian bloke explained in broken English/Italian that if I took a cold shower before entering the pool, it would be easier. He was right, it was, and as usual, once you’re in, it’s not so bad. Scamp decided to take the plunge too. Aren’t we the brave wee souls?

By the time we were both dried, it was nearly lunch time, and as we weren’t going to get lunch on our half board, we took ourselves off for a walk in search of food providers which are many and varied on this island, as are cup sellers.

We walked literally for miles, stopping along the way at an Italian cafe for Pizza Napolitana (me) and pasta al pollo (Scamp). Lovely. We eventually ended up at Port Colon!! An unfortunate name for what looked like a beautiful place.

On the way back we stopped off for a beer at a wee cafe where a jazz band were playing. Can’t remember their name but the were good. Got a cup for Scamp in a Hiperdino. Had a couple of G & T’s before dinner. For dinner, read DIRE. It just gets worse. School dinners were better than this. Worst of all, no rice pudding! What is the world coming to?

The first full day – 14 November 2015

Posted on November 14, 2015November 23, 2015 by Zogman

This morning we woke to a sky that was partly cloudy, but this didn’t worry us as we knew the sun would burn away the cloud and pretty soon it did and left blue sky all around. Breakfast was the usual holiday affair and as usual I ate too much. I think I had too much sugary stuff and suffered for it for a while. After breakfast Scamp wanted to get some basic housekeeping done – pool towels, safe key and we decided we’d have the €3 per day drinks package for dinner only. The one complaint I have about the hotel is the cost of drink. €1.70 for 200 ml of beer is a bit heavy when you consider that at a cafe across the road we can get 500ml for €1.50! Anyway, we took the drinks package. We already had a little bar set up in the room, the beer cost was an incidental.

After we got the house keeping out of the way, we sat poolside for an hour or so, but with noisy foreign neds and the kiddies club nearby, it was not that comfortable, so we did what we’d intended to do and went exploring. We walked down to the front and walked right (we’d walked right last night) along the promenade. It was quite windy, in fact very windy at times. Took lower path back and had a beer (cheap beer) and a bowl of chips in a wee bar. Walked back and bought more drinks for the room bar. Snooze for me when we got back and reading for Scamp. Explored the level 5 pool later and I got another sketch done. Now it’s time for dinner.

Dinner was ok. Still the same stramash, like an unruly school dinnerhall. I was a bit more circumspect today but the rice pudding with cinnamon is lovely.

The entertainment tonight is dancing dogs. I kid you not! Scamp made the corporate decision not to go yesterday when we heard. yesterday’s group was bad, but dancing dogs is a new low. No firm plans for tomorrow, but I think level 5 pool will have a starring role.

I’ve just blown out of the windy city – 13 November 2015

Posted on November 13, 2015November 23, 2015 by Zogman

Sitting in Caledonia cafe in Glasgow airport (20 mins for a roll ‘n’ sausage and a round of toast? Come on Glasgow) after a slow drive along the M8. Just our luck for there to be an accident on the run to the airport. Shouldn’t complain because this is the first time it’s happened. Still, we were ahead of the main rush and got through security in double quick time, even if I did have to be scanned! Reminded me of the wee Wii man!

Arrived safely in Tenerife after a false start in Glasgow. “A wee technical problem” doesn’t inspire confidence. However it got sorted and we had a good flight down.

Big room on 7th floor with a sea view. So far, so good. Went for a walk down to the beach in the afternoon past all the touristy shops and blokes trying to get you into their electronic goods emporium to buy their fake Canon lenses. Let’s face it folks, real Canons are bad enough, without the added (dis)advantage of fakery! Walked on the black sandy beach which reminded Scamp of the beach at Staffin and watched the sun go down over the sea. Temperature wasn’t quite Staffin at 24° or thereabouts.

Dinner was the usual riot with folk barging in to the queue, but the food was good, especially the salads. I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed the pickled green chillies.

Went to the kids club, but no Pepe 🙁 Scamp was quite disappointed. Three piece group was the entertainment. They were awful. Singer couldn’t sing so he mimed. No James Brown, more like Wullie Brown.

Early bed after a couple of G & T’s. Purely as a nightcap you understand.

Looking for a sun day on Saturday.

Halloween – 31 October 2015

Posted on October 31, 2015October 31, 2015 by Zogman

After a brilliant concert by Randy Newman last night and the inevitable late night, today started with a late lie in. The concert, as I said was brilliant. Newman’s voice in the first half was not at its best, but then he never was a great singer. Maybe it’s just his age showing, but he seemed to be having trouble reaching some of the high notes. In the second half he seemed more at home with the content and sang all the old faithfuls. The night was complete for me when he sang Rednecks, premising it with a warning that it contained lyrics that might be deemed politically incorrect. It was brilliant!

The day had started off with heavy cloud and drizzle. It lifted a bit by midday and we set off for lunch at Vecchia Bologna in Bridge of Allan. After that we went in to Stirling. I wanted ink for my fountain pen and searched all the way round WH Smith’s without success. However, as Scamp said, they had their Christmas stuff out. Well, that makes up for everything, doesn’t it. The stationers doesn’t have ink, but it does have the Christmas junk. They sell Lamy pens, but they don’t sell the refills. I think they should take a long look at themselves and decide what they are.

Had a look at some lovely paintings in one of the galleries in Stirling. Unfortunately they also had a selection of Ron Lawson thatched cottage crap too.

Beautiful light on the old sandstone buildings and the trees when we were walking to the car. This light morphed into a great sunset as we drove home. By the time we got home, the light had gone and it was growing dark.

We had three sets of guisers (isn’t that a better word than trick or treaters – no competition!) at the door this year. That’s much more than we’ve had before.

Pakora for a wee bite to eat watching ‘Strictly’. Superb!