Anna of the Mutton Years

Steam Punk

Mr Him (and please don't encourage him to be a blogger. You have no idea what you'd be letting loose) found what he called a steam punk themed pub on his trip to Leeds, England. Actually the write up shows the Editor's Draught to be based around typewriters. Now, here is why Mr Him should not blog. No doubt any steam he found swirling around the vicinity was coming from him as he wrote. It's happened before in our kitchen.

I, on the other hand, did find a steam punk pub in New York the previous week.

Link here to the Lovecraft. May be they could be sister bars. Steam across the ocean, sort of thing. I hope the landlords find each other. Comment if you do fellas.

Three weeks ago I'd never heard of steam punk bars. Have they cropped up in the last month?

I feel an adjunct to the investigate journalism coming on. A spinoff as it were.

Mr Him Investigates Leeds and Pubs

Mr Him, not content to sit back and let me have the limelight, decided he needed his adventure in a York. No doubt in search of that taste sensation cheesecake and martini! Anyway no sooner had I been home but 3 days when he grabbed a map. Thursday morning, before I awoke, he was out the door and pointing his car north. North up the M23, North around the M25, North up other Ms. He didn't stop till he reached 'York'shire (disclaimer - actually he did stop for an hours break on the way but that doesn't read so well). He then sent me a text to say he'd gone to do some research, or 'investigative journalism,' for you. 'Oh good', I thought, ' I won't see him for a month.'

For you he has investigated and reported the below.

As Anna has said, I had to go up to the "tropical climes" of West Yorkshire last week! I had to deliver a few items to the small town of Cleckheaton. I decided that I REALLY had to visit a proper Yorkshire pub whilst I was there. This was purely for the purpose of furthering the research for you all, her readers! Here's the place that I was directed to, The Wickham Arms Hotel in Cleckheaton, made from local limestone. I didn't take any photos inside.

After an exotic watermelon and orange fruit juice there, I drove on to Leeds where I was going to be spending the night. Anna told me that I had to bring traditional Yorkshire food i.e. Wensleydale cheese and fruit cake (which are apparently eaten together). Aiming to please (particularly after the recent voucher debacle), I asked at my hotel reception for the best place to purchase said items. "You're best going to Leeds Market" was the immediate response. I received directions, and set off in that direction, taking photos of some interesting buildings (old and new) on the way.

Corn Exchange

John Lewis

Outside the market on the hunt for Wenseydale cheese

Once I got into the market, I was dumbfounded! I wasn't told that it was absolutely massive!! It turns out that it's the largest indoor market in Europe, with in excess of 230 stalls. Still, undeterred by the massive undertaking ahead of me, I travelled the aisles in search of comestibles.

Victoriana

Here be dragons!

I was able to locate the cheese which was, I was assured, lovingly hand-crafted by local virgins (far be it from me to scoff in utter disbelief) but, despite hunting down 4 bakery stalls, the fruit cake remained an elusive quarry. I located an exit (eventually) and had to settle for a similar fruit cake from Marks & Spencers. Go figure! Having worked up a thirst, I decided that more"research" was in order.

I espied an alleyway between two large shop fronts. Thoughts of Diagon Alley crossed my mind. There was a sign for a pub pointing into it. Dare I risk it? Was I going to find myself assailed by enemies of Harry, Ron and Hermione? Taking a chance, I entered the alley, ready to flee at the merest hint of danger. I was pleasantly surprised. Lights were strung up down the alley, and Whitelocks pub (established in 1715) beckoned to me from my left.

I entered, and was overjoyed to discover a beautiful "proper" pub!

Attractive stained glasswork behind the bar

View down the bar and no, I wasn't drinking milk. The very thought!

Having slaked my thirst, and having slaked my curiosity about the establishment by speaking to the landlady, I ventured out because I had arranged to meet a friend . It was time to catch up with each other, swap stories about our respective jobs, and imbibe some more beverages. Oh, the trials and tribulations of the stoic researcher!!! I found a pub just around the corner from that office, and waited for John to join me. The pub (The Editor's Draught) was unusual in that it had a sort of "steam punk" theme going on.

Inside the Editor's Draught (how fitting)

It was very pleasant, the food and drink were lovely, and the staff were wonderful. John and I had lots to catch up on once he arrived, so libations had to be slurped in order to lubricate our talking muscles! An entertaining evening was had.

The drive back the next day was awful. 250 or so miles, and most of it in driving rain. Still, on the plus side, I was feeling happy with myself, knowing that I had completed some invaluable research for you, dear reader...

In Search of Mighty Loft Part 2

Dear reader, do you remember my Walk of ~~Lostness~~ 'Loft'ness or to Mighty Loft here. That day my steps amounted to 23 311. It was a record maintained for 7 months. It was surpassed last week when I did my second walk of 'Loft'ness. Having walked the city of NYC for 28,646 steps I finally found the sought for mighty Loft.

And once again I quenched my thirst in a Hard Rock Cafe with a mojito. Strawberry this time.

What did I buy and was Loft a coffee shop? Two white T shirts, and no. Honestly, 50 000 steps in total for 2 white T shirts!

A warning, if you decide to shop in Loft and visit Hard Rock Cafe in the same trip you better pack food and water in your bag and wear comfortable shoes.

How to do New York in 4 days

Dear reader, my trip was fast and to the point. If it were a sentence it would be succinct. I saw what I had to see. I drank what I had to drink. I ate what I had to eat. I experienced what I had to experience. Here's how.

Day 1

After arriving mid afternoon and a shower after the flight we got stuck right into sightseeing. The hotel was the Holiday Inn on Washington street right in the financial district. Lovely staff and comfortable clean hotel. Perfect.

Within a 10 minute walk I was taken to the 911 memorial. This is beautiful, somber and moving.

Across the road is the site of the World Trade Center bombing. It's marked with a elegant white arched landmark.

We took a stroll down nearby Wall Street

and I was rather in awe of the steam gushing from the street. We don't have this phenomenon in the UK from our underground train system.

I was then introduced to an Irish pub (they get everywhere don't they) where I began my new friendship with a Cosmopolitan.

This was followed by a taxi ride to Greenwich Village. I found the restaurants here plentiful but pricey so ended up in a curry Taco cafe. Yes, really!

Day 2

An early start and a walk to catch the Staten Island Ferry

and a trip past The Statue of Liberty,

to Staten Island where I saw these guys. I thought they were pretty good. click on the video

Music guys at Staten Island Terminal

And then back.

Here's a clip on YouTube of arriving back to Manhattan.

Ferry coming back into Manhattan

Next a subway trip to the shops in the shadow of the Empire State Building.

Saks, and a strawberry mojito in Hard Rock Cafe.

On to Trump Tower and a trip up the escalators to see all the glitz of this building.

Backpack on me full of shopping but looking dodgy entering Trump Tower

Followed by a street hotdog (had to be done. ) Bloomingdales to get Little Brown Bags for my daughters then Patsy pizza for happy hour and a glass of something.

Next the cable car to Roosevelt Island and a look at the view of Manhattan from across the East River.

Straight on then to Brooklyn for a peek at the neighbourhood and supper. Another Patsy Pizza where I had pasta and bolognaise.

I walked 26000 steps that day.

Day 3

A walk to Soho, and back. Just because my friend wanted to look in the men's department of DKNY, which involved 12000 steps (there and back) and no men's section. Still I consoled myself with a spree in Gap after my 12000 steps were completed.

Then onto the Rockerfeller Centre.

I went down in the lift to the bar below (yes, its a lift)

where I consoled myself further with New York cheesecake and a ~~Margarita~~, Martini with olives. Not a combination I'd recommend with the cheesecake.