We have decided to spend some time up in the North of Englan. It is half term with us this week – where as England have already had theirs, so we can make the most of the quietness and visit some places we have not been. As it happens Day 1 was Leeds, chosen because Newcastle is too far away and we have been to Sheffield more times than Leeds.
Up and at them early doors, and managed to get away for 8:30 – great and quiet journey up to the first stop of Rotherham, and we made pretty good time – although the bloody roadworks before Sheffield were a right pain. They have about 15 miles of works, with average sped check all the way along it – so you have to do 50 – not that everyone did. I do wonder if these average camera’s are actually on half the time. Anyway, after a slow drive we eventually got to the Rotherham turn off and headed to Magna Park.
The reason for this pause in the journey was that this is where Planet X live. They are a bike shop, who seems to sell lots and lots of bikes and are amazingly cheep compared to other places. I was looking for a new racer, on a carbon frame wit the new Ultegra 6800 groupset. The price in Planet X is very competitive if you compare with Ribble and Cannondale etc. As this will probably be my last bike – I really wanted to push the boat out. Nice place on the Magna estate. Next door (almost) they have the “factory” where they do the builds – although all the frame are manufactured in China or somewhere like that – they are all designed by Planet X thought, to their specification and tolerances (so they say). The showroom has quite a few bikes on display – but apparently no place to test different frame sizes – which seems incredible if you think people are dropping 1500 – 6000+ quid on a bike – I suppose if you did buy a very expensive one they may push the boat out a little more? Had a small tough looking chap who was a bit crap as a salesman, and I was a bit crap as a customer – Sian piped up – “Why don’t you get this one” which was 500 quid more, and I was tempted – but that takes it to silly money and also the other one looked like an advert. So five minutes later and I am sitting the the car pondering whether I did the right thing, and ruing the fact I didn’t upgrade the wheels – as it would be £220 and he seemed to think I didn’t need them – what does he know?.. (Update: the following Weds I called and got the upgraded wheels for an extra £130)
After the little pit stop we were back on the little run up to Leeds, it rained a bit whilst in the car, and once we got to Leeds we sat in TGI for a quick bite to eat it rained some more. But once we had finished our burgers and chicken the sun had almost come out. We took a mosey along the canal in Leeds, something I had not done before and it was an okay walk – very quiet, until we got to the Armories – free to get into and a really impressive array of weapons and armor. We were under slight time pressures so we whizzed around and it was well worth the visit – then we went into town proper to search out an appropriate boozer.
Finding a pub was not as simple as we first though – initially we didn’t want to do the regulars and wanted to see a little a Leeds so we meandered around the center until we got to the other side, and somewhere I almost recognized from the days I used to spend in Leeds and fell into Mr Follys Ale House. They had Erdinger here – but nothing like I had ever seen before – it was cloudy, but it also had an odd name, so I still dont know whether it was crap beer, or supposed to be like that – it tasted okay, but did look pretty fowl.
Next stop was the Slug and Lettuce – we know they are generally okay with children, and we knew we were going to have a Chinese later, so thought we could get Kate something. Couple of Peroni’s later Kate is just about to order her dessert and the server says we should have left half an hour ago! Something to do with the council and they cannot have children after I thin it was 7:00 or maybe half six. Anyway we had to gulp it down a little bit, but we managed and set off for the Chinese. We had heard good things on trip advisor.
People on Trip Advisor are either liars, stupid, or have never eating good Chinese. Servers were a little abrupt but the Prawn Crackers were loverly. Satay chicken was insipid, and warm and the mains were some of the most tasteless stuff I have ever tried since Phil came round last and I tried some of his Number 32 Special Bland, Boiled Chicken with Bland Sauce. Managed to sink a couple of 1664’s though – so not all bad.
Hotel was just across the road – not bad – average Premier Inn standard – reasonably comfy, clean and a good shower – I slept.
Leeds – 6/10
Chinese – 4/10