leeds

You are currently browsing articles tagged leeds.

London, Leeds, Manchester … Zurich

November 24, 2011 in General by Stephen | No comments

So I’m in London Tuesday afternoon for an internal meeting … which turns into a discussion on getting to Zurich for a morning meeting on Thursday.

Normally this would be straightforward. Unfortunately my passport is at home.

Up at 0530 Wednesday. At Kings Cross 0610. Need Coffee.

Camden-20111123-00364

Off at Leeds and on to Harrogate. From there it’s a taxi home, collect the passport and pack a case for 2 nights away.

Car now … to Manchester Airport.

20111123_132256

On the early afternoon flight to Zurich.

20111123_155635

Skirting the Alps …

20111123_16184020111123_163057

Then the train…

20111123_170507

Tram …

20111123_173147

and a funicular…

20111123_185046

And FINALLY the Hotel view … that night and the following morning.

20111124_18203320111124_154237

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Marc Almond

October 11, 2011 in General by Stephen | No comments

[slideshow id=2 w=400 h=300]

Our neighbours are friends of Leeds City Varieties. A few months back they received early notice that Marc Almond was playing.  Given the advance notice we were fortunate enough to reserve boxes directly above the stage.

We loaded up on miniature bottles of wine, closed the door to the box, sat back and enjoyed the show.

It’s all torch and romance. Scott Walker, Brel, Bowie, Lou Reed and more. Given it’s in essence a “home” gig, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a performer look so happy and relaxed. It’s just become the best gig I’ve ever been to.

I had a mini-highlight after waxing lyrical about the talent of Baby Dee. Standing outside the venue, Therese encouraged me to tell her how wonderful I thought she was. I did. She was very flattered.

Tags: , , ,

Escaping the Wedding

April 29, 2011 in General by Stephen | No comments

IMG-20110426-00011Leeds-20110429-00023

This is the lounge at Leeds Bradford Airport. Therese and I have decided to leave the rest of the country to the Royal wedding and travel to Paris. Classic quotes from those being interviewed include “Since Diana can’t be here for William, I thought I should come”.

Our flight is on time, allowing some respite from the continuous coverage on all channels.

Hedia picks us up at Charles de Gaulle and we drive to our hotel. We’re staying at Le Grande. Yours for 840 Euro per night. Or free if you’ve gained enough hotel points.

P1010853P1010832

This is the view from our bedroom balcony (right). “No bad” as a Scotsman would say.

It’s off for some lunch. Hedia recommends an Italian nearby. the pizza’s come and go in no time (as does some wine). I plumb for a tarte au pomme. The ladies “go large” with some profiteroles. “It’s not as big as it looks” they protest.

P1010826

Tags: , , , , , ,

All over

February 16, 2011 in General by Stephen | No comments

Rush from Canary Wharf to Kings Cross. Miss 1700 train. It’ll be a later one to York or one of two slow trains to Leeds. Either way, I won’t be home before 9pm… only to be up at 6am tomorrow for Manchester.  (Self pity continues, p.94)

Tags: , , , , , ,

… and so to snow bound Yorkshire

December 2, 2010 in General by Stephen | No comments

I’m fortunate enough to get a swift exit from London. With the mounting snow North, I really don’t want to take any chances.

London to Leeds makes the most sense. If things get bad, there’s more trains and buses from there home. The train does arrive late into Leeds and the forwarding train is running 45 minutes late. This is rush hour, so the people are queuing up. The result being something like this.

IMG00415-20101202-1705IMG00416-20101202-1719

As I pass Pannal I get a view of what’s coming.

IMG00418-20101202-1753

The taxi from the train station can only drop me off at the top of the drive. It’s a long walk in the snow and dark for the final 200 metres.

Tags: , , ,

To Belfast. Via China, Leeds and Manchester (avoiding Norway)

October 16, 2010 in America 2010 by Stephen | No comments

What? If we’re not out by 10AM we may be charged another day? This on top of the daily “resort charge” of $20 previously undisclosed. Lets get out of here!

1050 belfast

A couple of stops to enjoy the scenery.

1063 belfast1085 belfast

Leeds, Manchester and China:

1088 belfast1090 belfast

Maine is vast … and on the whole, the scenery is beautiful. There are, however, a lot of old timber townships. Very ramshackle. Many apples and pumpkins for sale.

And finally, 190 miles later, Belfast.

1096 belfast

Staying at the Comfort Inn … going a little budget after the pain of the cost of the previous residence.

Still, we’re in luck. Despite being less than £100 for the night  (free breakfast), this is the view:

1108 belfast1112 belfast

We pop into Belfast itself and pick up some food for the next couple of days. Thanks Belfast co-op.

1101 belfast

Lots of watching “FX” follows as the rain comes down. Somehow we manage to get through “My, myself and Irene” and “Wild Hogs”.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

« Older entries

Switch to our mobile site