And so, the wanderer returns…
Yes, as I mentioned in the last blog post, last week I was just a tad too busy enjoying myself to write anything, but never mind, because that business has supplied the subject matter for this week’s offering.
So, you may ask, what was I doing this time last week?
High Steaks
Well, around about the time you’re reading this, I was probably drinking a cocktail en-route to a slap-up steak dinner, a few more cocktails and a night in a hotel room.
That’s right, I’ve had myself a little holiday.
Big City Boy
Now, before you get too excited, this wasn’t anywhere too exotic. There were no flights (of fancy or actual aeronautics), no passport checks, and precious little sun in which to bask. No, although myself and my wunderwifey, Tina treated ourselves to three days away to celebrate our eleventh wedding anniversary, circumstances and expense pretty much ruled all of that out.
So we went to Leeds.
Now, I know most of the people reading this will be familiar with that particular fair city, but for those who aren’t, Leeds is a city situated in God’s own county of Yorkshire in the north of England (and as I’m writing this on Tuesday the 1st of August, happy Yorkshire Day to one and all). It’s the third largest city in the U.K. and it also happens to be the city I was born and grew up in (but don’t let that spoil it for you).
Strangely Familiar
Now, there may be some among you who might question the wisdom of returning to a city I know so well for a three day mini-break, especially as said city is less than fifteen miles from my own front door.
I mean, surely having lived there for the first thirty eight years of my life, and the city centre being the site of some reasonably stupendous nights (and days) out I have, in a very literal sense, both been there and, in fact, done that.
Well, yes, but…
Most of the time I’ve spent in the city centre has been spent either shopping, or drinking (sometimes both), but, despite living right on top of it, there are bits of the city I’ve never really spent all that much time thinking about, never mind visiting. When you add those bits of Leeds city centre that have changed in my absence, and the sights that, as a native, I cheerfully disregard in favour of the far away and therefore more exotic, that leaves a fair bit of the city worthy of exploration. Tina’s relative ignorance of some of Leeds’ charms only served to put a cherry atop our decision to take our break there.
So off we popped.
Salad Days
The first day of our mini-break was the Wednesday of last week. We arrived, rather unceremoniously by bus, and went in search of a bite to eat, finally settling on a burrito and a tub of ice-cream (start as you mean to go on, eh). Then we made our way to the Travelodge which would serve as our base of operations for the next three nights.
The hotel, as is the way with these things, was basic but comfortable, and more than adequate for our needs. We collected our room key, dumped our luggage and, after a wash and a change headed out for drinks and the table we’d booked at Estabulo Rodizio Steak House.
The establishment in question is one of those where the waiting staff wander the dining hall with huge cuts of steak, fresh from the grill. As long as the beer mat type thing they give you is on the green side this will then head your way and a slice deposited on your plate. There’s also a salad bar…if you have any room to spare on your plate.
And There's More
This was the meal we’d allotted as our specific anniversary celebration, so, with no expense spared, I immediately set about getting value for money and a case of the meat sweats. Add a few more cocktails and a slightly wonky walk back, and that was day one done and dusted. Happy anniversary Mr & Mrs Rankin. Welcome to Leeds.
The next day, surprisingly not too badly the worse for wear, was where the aforementioned exploration of the familiar began in earnest, but, as this post is starting to drag on, and inspiration is forever hard to find, I might save that for next week.
Suspense is a bugger, ain’t it?
Until next time…
Hey, there! If you enjoyed reading any of the above, why not take a look at some of my published work? Below you’ll find links to a number of short stories I’m lucky enough to have included in anthologies. I’d love to know what you think
New Tales Of Old: Volume 2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09TMVTX9H/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Death Ship
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/9198684140/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_TWEMTA3KWK7T89QEZPF6?fbclid=IwAR322Fx5nfgVUQAA62ZZ6CUsNnBm8pbSxPanzz6Qkjg3vAv4ESipq7iKKhs
https://www.waterstones.com/book/death-ship/david-green/s-o-green/9789198684148?fbclid=IwAR2gP4CXHSG7wTccO39wOqXFtI81k0259Ep8DUM48Ki6kTUdlKoF3yafojA
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9198684140/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A2XZ7JICGUQ1CX&psc=1&fbclid=IwAR2Wa6sGxb82_VCsC7l1CGXwHjsSwTheqba6jDX_G8EDsywZoGpC93nXr2w
Reaperman
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reaperman-Drabbles-3-Legends-Night-ebook/dp/B099NNPTQ1A
Pestilence
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pestilence-Revelations-Black-Ink-Fiction/dp/B09MDLZGHY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2VP38WZDWJVAF&keywords=black+ink+fiction&qid=1654090896&sprefix=black+ink+fiction%2Caps%2C218&sr=8-1
The Musketeers Vs Cthulhu
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Musketeers-Cthulhu-Court-King-Louis-ebook/dp/B09YQKQQB7/ref=sr_1_18?crid=2VP38WZDWJVAF&keywords=black+ink+fiction&qid=1654091002&sprefix=black+ink+fiction%2Caps%2C218&sr=8-18
No comments:
Post a Comment