tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30762329754376559642024-03-06T01:07:56.627-08:00Travelling cyclistjordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-56799582705225293222016-08-20T11:02:00.000-07:002016-08-20T11:11:33.326-07:00The foothills of Yorkshire<br />
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So today I did my first official 'sportive', as non-competive cycling events organised by a third party up and down the country are generally known. Sportives are all the rage these days, and include following a pre-planned route on a timed basis, but are not races. I know there are a lot of arguments for and again sportives but they definitely have their pros and cons. It's easy to appreciate the mechanical support and route signage on offer as well as the food stops en route where you can replenish your supplies and grab a bite to eat to recharge depleted energy reserves. Naturally this is covered by the price of admission, where-as some people would say that cycling should be free - which is true to a point, but sportives can be a good way of exploring undiscovered areas with little to no thought needed.<br />
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Anyway, onto the detail. The sportive I chose to do was the Yorkshire Tour sportive in North Yorkshire, starting in Thirsk and taking in some of the roads used in the Tour De France Grand Depart that took the UK by storm two years ago. I travelled by train to the event, meaning I had to get up at 5:15 in the morning just to be there in time. I had originally planned to stay overnight in Thirsk in order to be prepared, however at £50-80 a night for a single room I decided against it. I changed trains in York with a strong coffee on route, and arrived at the registration point for the event in good time, having visited the toilet 'facillities' at Thirsk station beforehand.<br />
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It has to be said at this point (and look away now if you're faint of heart) but going to the toilet in full cycling gear is not a glamorous experience. In fact, it's the very opposite. You essentially have to strip down to the bare minimum of clothing just to do a No. 1. And there I was, doing it in a chemical toilet at Thirsk station, since the other makeshift toilet building had had a drainage failure. A small aside there, but I'm sure you get the picture.<br />
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Anyway, I took my place to start the ride around 8:50, which saw different groups depart at 2 minute intervals in groups of 15-20. The weather was fairly dry and clear, although dull to start with, with the sun occasionally breaking through the clouds long enough to brighten the route. It had originally been forecast to be heavy rain from 7am in the morning, and I had strongly considered not coming at all rather than get up at 5:15am on a Saturday just for the purposes of discovering a new area on my bike. However, having made a cup of tea and 'proper' porridge with honey and banana mixed into it, I decided that since I had paid for the event and the train ticket I might as well give it a go.<br />
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The route itself passed through numerous small villages mainly on B-roads and minor roads, with little to no traffic visible (perhaps helped by the early morning start). I'm pleased to say that there was very minimal rain with only irregular and sudden showers that left me un-drenched and dry enough to enjoy the course. Having had a big bowl of porridge and a tasty coffee at York station meant I was able to cycle a good 20 miles before stopping for a snack - drinking I did whilst cycling. When I looked at my phone to see how far I had cycled up to that point I was pleasantly surprised to see I had already done 19.6 miles, which seemed to have flown.<br />
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Having said that this was a fairly easy course with barely noticeable elevation, and only a few descents (this part of Yorkshire is quite rolling). Not being in any kind of national park in Yorkshire, and having opted to to do the Easy route (39 miles), I shouldn't have been surprised however. Having had my snack and a drink I figured it wasn't actually that far to the feed stop, so I didn't stop for long and pushed on for another 7 miles. The feed stop was in the church hall of a methodist church, and offered both hot drinks and water, together with a replenishment of my sports drink. Snacks ranged from energy gels to flapjack, cake and biscuits, and offered welcome respite.<br />
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It was nice to see so many cyclists in one place, and I spent around 20 minutes there (half of that time spent waiting in the queue for the toilet once again). With 26.5 miles in the can at this point, I headed out to do the last 13 miles, which saw the headwind increase a fair bit and also another brief downpour. Fortunately I was motivated to continue by the finish line which started counting down at both 10km and 5km to go signs on the roadside. I finished the ride exactly where I had started, collecting my medal and free t-shirt (as well as a protein recovery bar) from the staff on hand at the finish point.<br />
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I didn't hang around to use the free bike-wash facilities or get a massage, but instead headed back to the train station to head back to York as I figured it was best just to get back home and rest, as I had already been up and awake for nearly 7 hours by that point (which is a lot when you consider it was only quarter past 12!). Luckily I made it back to York just as another train back to Doncaster was pulling in, so I asked the conductor if I could jump on it and luckily they had a bike space for me and I made it home two hours earlier than planned. Following a shower and some much needed food, I settled down for a quick snooze, and feeling very pleased with the day's efforts. Now it's on to the Grindleford Goat near Sheffield next month (maybe)!<br />
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jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-83369045554041443742016-06-08T12:59:00.003-07:002016-06-08T12:59:52.541-07:00Visiting our cow Molly<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yesterday's short evening run</td></tr>
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As we've had some very pleasant weather in the UK over the last few days, I decided to do something I haven't done for a fair while - I decided to take an evening bike ride after work. Nothing too strenuous as it's quite hard to do to much when you know you have to get up for work again the next day. So, an hour or so out and back seemed the perfect solution - hey, it's still miles in the legs right?!<br />
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I'd had my eye on cycling out to Bradfield near me for some time, as I knew you could form a nice 20 mile or so loop going up one road and back down the other on fairly quiet roads to rejoin the quiet but fast A57 back into residential Sheffield. As it was 7pm by the time I set off however I stuck to my plan of doing around 10 miles in the hour or so I had planned to be on the bike. The temperature had cooled down to a pleasant level by this time as well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Which way to go?</td></tr>
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There are myriads of unexplored roads close to where I live that lead to mile after mile of rural roads in gorgeous scenery. That being the case I headed down Walkley Bank Road which is sharp steep downhill segment that brings you out at Malin Bridge, one of Sheffield's tram termini. Coming out on the mini roundabout here you have two choices: turn left for Stannington, and right for Loxley. Both bring you out at Bradfield, you simply approach it from different directions.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good to see buses come out here too.</td></tr>
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As I had never been through Stannington before, and it looked less steep than heading into Loxley first I decided to head that way, knowing I would have a pretty smooth and sweet descent on the way back in. The climb up through Stannington is pretty constant, but never gets unbearable to the point where I felt the need to stop cycling. It wends it's way upwards as the B6076 before a deceptive but small sign tells you to turn right to head towards Bradfield and Dungworth (attractively named).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suburbia slowly disappears.</td></tr>
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The right turn leads through relative suburbia with a few general stores (Spar and Coop) plus a fairly standard looking pub before the houses drop away and the terrain becomes more rolling. As you crest the hill on the approach to Dungworth, an old style village sign indicates that Glossop is off to the left 21 miles away while Bradfield is just a few miles further on. Also to the right of this sign is a local family farm known as Our Cow Molly's selling ice cream and milk.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello sheep</td></tr>
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I had seen their products in local shops in and around Sheffield but had never associated them with this place right on my doorstep. It's so amazing to live near to places where products are made right next to your house and makes you wonder why we ever source most of our products needlessly from miles and miles away. The farm is open 4 days a week and I made a point to stop off later in the summer as part of a long weekend ride out this way.<br />
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I pushed on and reached the end of the B6076 making a sharp right for the return to suburban Sheffield. Not long after the right turn the impressive Damflask Reservoir appears on both sides of a narrowish bridge. It's a beautiful spot and is worth a brief dismount from the bike to soak up the atmosphere of people on rowing boats rented for use on the lake.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some kind of village green.</td></tr>
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Pressing on I knew Sheffield was not too far away, and as a started to gain speed on the long straight descent another pub called the Nags Head Inn caught my eye on the right. You'd be forgiven for thinking I was cycling through Edale, home of the Old Nags Head pub but I wasn't! I made a mental note and pushed on for the rest of the thrilling descent down to the other side of Malin Bridge roundabout.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice to see signs like this.</td></tr>
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I made a slight mistake on my exit from the roundabout, as I came off onto Walkley Bank Road I didn't realise that it splits and goes in two separate directions as effectively two separate roads. I came out at Rivelin Valley Road which is right at the bottom of Sheffield relative to where I live. I looked at my options on the map and knew whichever one I took I'd have some serious ascending to do over a relatively short distance.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The scenic and beautiful Damflask reservoir.</td></tr>
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I opted to take the turning onto Rivelin road before a sharp right turn onto Waller Road which I knew would bring me out on a level close enough to mine to make me forget about any more climbing. Still, I had around 200m of climbing at around 14.8% gradient to contend with first. I stopped a couple of times to catch my breath and was cajoled on by a man in his 60's who cheerfully told me his 60 year old neighbour cycles halfway up that hill every day. I cheerfully replied that I might need to give it a few more goes to attempt it again.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nag's Head Inn - NOT in Edale!</td></tr>
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I arrived home around 10 past 8 feeling very satisfied and not overly tired. I could easily have done more but with luck the weather will hold out this weekend so I can do a similar ride but over more roads. I crashed following my post-ride shower and finished up in bed watching a film before slipping into a joyful slumber.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtfvhfgXn3ScH6J8ZQNJkhLcVc3G7oB_x90JyVFgD09L8FESLkOsz91krJ97Nyq7tSzULzdVxl2ZfHlEwoUOUr5XHo0uMrPwbgHDKM7Y_08pl7inMbo8FPvZWtBusmiPVK1u59ACfsgVE/s1600/ridestats+08062016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtfvhfgXn3ScH6J8ZQNJkhLcVc3G7oB_x90JyVFgD09L8FESLkOsz91krJ97Nyq7tSzULzdVxl2ZfHlEwoUOUr5XHo0uMrPwbgHDKM7Y_08pl7inMbo8FPvZWtBusmiPVK1u59ACfsgVE/s320/ridestats+08062016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overall ride stats.</td></tr>
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<br />jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-37264349808105791162016-06-03T15:14:00.000-07:002016-06-03T15:25:24.349-07:00Remembering New York...and the return<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgSSWJVyxTz43WBtbmxh2DjjfrDD8JBXMbZF1_1sgBI9ngAOhrmevSWc8xa6fAk7ogEmbirw8bT6FCPvaRbwkMs-AkLLiURCPBuloGnp_Xseyhmx85QveedaiZFEktDPBXP40NBfvq5iL/s1600/IMG_20160515_191115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgSSWJVyxTz43WBtbmxh2DjjfrDD8JBXMbZF1_1sgBI9ngAOhrmevSWc8xa6fAk7ogEmbirw8bT6FCPvaRbwkMs-AkLLiURCPBuloGnp_Xseyhmx85QveedaiZFEktDPBXP40NBfvq5iL/s320/IMG_20160515_191115.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Last night, I started planning my return to New York city, already pencilled in for May next year. Of course, I've nothing booked just yet, as I need to save money before I can consider doing anything like that again. Still, a few months of good old fashioned hard work and I should be good to go! The city must have really left an imprint on me to start planning my next trip as soon as I've got back.<br />
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Still, I know several people who say New York is just another city and they're not that bothered about visiting it. Perhaps they're right, and it isn't of particular importance for them. Still, something had called out to me for many years before I finally visited in May 2016, and I still feel immensely grateful that I've had the chance to see it.<br />
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I remember one evening when me and my Dad had been out for a drink or two in the city after dinner. We came back to the hotel and just started playing a random song or two, including some old favourites. It doesn't matter what the songs were, but somehow they formed a quintessential part of my New York experience and I hear those songs differently now since having returned home.<br />
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Ever since I got back two weeks ago, I've had instances where I simply think of the city and what I did there. Frequently about Manhattan, but mostly about Brooklyn. Don't get me wrong, Manhattan is cool, and is definitely where New York is at and where the most exciting sights are and stuff happens. Still I feel a strong sense of personal connection with Brooklyn and like that's where I feel most comfortable in New York.<br />
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It's exciting knowing that the beast that is Manhattan is literally right across the water, but Brooklyn seems to offer a down to earth retreat which feels much more real and grounded than Manhattan, whilst at the same time enhancing it's appeal and allure. Brooklyn is much more low rise, with cool local independent shops, cafes, bars and other attractions, particularly in Greenpoint and Williamsburg north of Central Brooklyn. This more than anything else makes Brooklyn seem more personable and attractive than Manhattan itself.<br />
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Having said that, it's these two sides of the coin that make New York as a whole so exciting. It takes little to no time to find a quiet secluded spot which can feel your own, even if just for a moment in time. Green parks, urban paradise (if it can be called that) and independent shops all vye for existence, yet somehow seem to exist in non-discordant harmony. Perhaps this is the real allure of New York city, and why I love it so much? Only 11 months 'til I see it again ;)jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-5749660829065144162016-05-29T08:04:00.000-07:002016-05-29T08:27:06.689-07:00Back in the Peaks<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTor2voo0ZDVmR6YDg4omsTKPfRT2-lYgUCsD-b81bxiYQ_hy3JkQjchGByWtYTXtJE8D6mJL2RfpQVLNRWPBxZsnDA_CYEBbQYtfWAQ7xAYlau9gF2_93qKNO1k596EfIoCGEWuPjJJj/s1600/Bike+ride+28052016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTor2voo0ZDVmR6YDg4omsTKPfRT2-lYgUCsD-b81bxiYQ_hy3JkQjchGByWtYTXtJE8D6mJL2RfpQVLNRWPBxZsnDA_CYEBbQYtfWAQ7xAYlau9gF2_93qKNO1k596EfIoCGEWuPjJJj/s320/Bike+ride+28052016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yesterday's route.</td></tr>
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It's been just over a week since I got back from the Great North American Adventure now and my mind has already set to planning future trips - current possibilities are Slovenia and/or Ireland in September, followed by a return to New York next May. I'm planning to do the big 40 mile bike ride across all five boroughs of the city on closed roads, and may do what I planned to do this year by taking the train from Montreal to New York or vice versa, potentially with a stop in Vermont as Burlington is said to be quite a cool, cultural destination and, I think, well off the beaten track for tourists.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqP1rg7U-uyyFCPnpOEEv0Jfpr5zopnfT8XkS6xbW6HQ13RYhbPVV6XJqjoDcyp7OA33CQP_KLJRxbI9nRwGys7Y8C3tOh05G7NxzbvY5y8a1y4XS5iYUlRM56UJMOZ5pLTJ8TyRUM4gJ/s1600/IMG_20160528_133842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqP1rg7U-uyyFCPnpOEEv0Jfpr5zopnfT8XkS6xbW6HQ13RYhbPVV6XJqjoDcyp7OA33CQP_KLJRxbI9nRwGys7Y8C3tOh05G7NxzbvY5y8a1y4XS5iYUlRM56UJMOZ5pLTJ8TyRUM4gJ/s320/IMG_20160528_133842.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View over the Scenic Ladybower Dam.</td></tr>
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It was back to work for me on Tuesday, followed by a three day bank holiday weekend. Surprisingly, Saturday dawned bright and clear with temperatures of around 15/16 degrees (59-61 Fahrenheit), so my first thought was to make the most of the weather and the extra day off to go on a bike ride. I started off by heading down Bole Hill Road at the back of where I live, as the road leads you very quickly downhill and into the green forestry that skirts the edge of the Peak District national park.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5x3yhiVE8cx7AxTKPw9eBTS1tviRwEl13TOKylZMEcjynEgPB1PIR4Buu22H7tsS_xXerpX-7wpyc-eIai0LBc7OM5QjloTp39aXApukmz13JWQgqw6E4NPJWbHWPyCUIkchZVAudOEW4/s1600/IMG_20160528_133811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5x3yhiVE8cx7AxTKPw9eBTS1tviRwEl13TOKylZMEcjynEgPB1PIR4Buu22H7tsS_xXerpX-7wpyc-eIai0LBc7OM5QjloTp39aXApukmz13JWQgqw6E4NPJWbHWPyCUIkchZVAudOEW4/s320/IMG_20160528_133811.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bridge over Ladybower Dam, resulting in scenic views.</td></tr>
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After a leisurely mile or two on Rivelin Valley Road, I came out on the A57 which leads directly into Bamford and is officially in national park territory. Within a few miles, the space really opens out and you're surrounded on all sides by country cottages, hilltop vistas and signs inviting you to stop off at farm shops in the vicinity. Tempting as the thought was I pushed on as I had no place to put anything - when on a 'proper' bike ride I always aim not to take a bag of any kind as it just impedes your performance and weighs you down, although a small bag on your back can be useful for carrying a pump plus a few spares if you don't have room in your jersey pockets.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpZfLfnPtMuDRtwMAR_uaP6WD_nO5nxmLICVzPzgsmSrK9-S4P0w5XCyi5wKdRSbMZiVRa4xBpG8rqGiScnDTLIhVYWPcfZnzOVp6QaxPWXJ9hLwPZZrDQfOOuhkFNmA4DHRI-7xR2O6A/s1600/IMG_20160528_135859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpZfLfnPtMuDRtwMAR_uaP6WD_nO5nxmLICVzPzgsmSrK9-S4P0w5XCyi5wKdRSbMZiVRa4xBpG8rqGiScnDTLIhVYWPcfZnzOVp6QaxPWXJ9hLwPZZrDQfOOuhkFNmA4DHRI-7xR2O6A/s320/IMG_20160528_135859.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cycle-friendly path between Bamford and Hathersage.</td></tr>
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You know you're really at the heart of the Peaks when you see the first Welcome to the Peak District sign. After about five miles on the A57 I came out at the bottom of the Snake pass, and turned left for Bamford and the spectacular view over the Ladybower dam. This is a reservoir filled with water over the top of what was once a scenic Derbyshire Village - I imagine there was some controversy over the decision to fill it in at the time. I stopped for a few photos and a snack and as I was leaving Bamford village I saw signs for both the Eroica Britannia vintage cycling festival and the Hope Valley beer and cider festival taking place just down the road at the Old Hall Hotel in Hope, the next village along.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEi9NcBdW4LMZJ3J1ckkl4aXPBcF56cYxzSCW8rhoLANVvfgszB9xhbS9LXsYkb-csTa9VsHFlxdCQCuZewR5d4lzw5wGjwllG6DcT8ak-oWMp_gMdCMJvW7dD4DRdI5xJKInhZ_BEwh2V/s1600/IMG_20160528_140621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEi9NcBdW4LMZJ3J1ckkl4aXPBcF56cYxzSCW8rhoLANVvfgszB9xhbS9LXsYkb-csTa9VsHFlxdCQCuZewR5d4lzw5wGjwllG6DcT8ak-oWMp_gMdCMJvW7dD4DRdI5xJKInhZ_BEwh2V/s320/IMG_20160528_140621.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A worthy (but impossible) distraction on this visit.</td></tr>
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I was very tempted to stop off and have a drink by making a slight detour, especially as I'd incidentally broken my own festival glass from last year and wanted another one. However, beer and bikes don't mix and nor does carrying glass so I pushed on by turning left at the end of the main road in Bamford to head towards Hathersage, where I would turn off onto School Road and the scenic climb up and over The Dale. The road between Bamford and Hathersage is very good for cycling as it has both a wide cycle lane on each side and, if you prefer, a completely traffic free (and wide) path on the left hand side for use by pedestrians, horses and cyclists. I opted for the latter as there were no other users on the path so I was able to get up a good burst of speed whilst remaining perfectly safe in traffic free hands.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdxjNyiErGseEq8WZKgzCKdtNvEEa6ruHnCcve_Dzwng4cCAMb5cvlFmKgU38z5zq4BwQ22BgMiBKtksexNf8vWoeRqgLNy-yyIkAwGrgHOUmlqp_HBPPrFszOTALV4hDHmcrZH5EPE20/s1600/IMG_20160528_141746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdxjNyiErGseEq8WZKgzCKdtNvEEa6ruHnCcve_Dzwng4cCAMb5cvlFmKgU38z5zq4BwQ22BgMiBKtksexNf8vWoeRqgLNy-yyIkAwGrgHOUmlqp_HBPPrFszOTALV4hDHmcrZH5EPE20/s320/IMG_20160528_141746.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The not-too-steep but unceasing incline up and over The Dale.</td></tr>
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My resilience was tested again as I approached Hathersage and turned left onto School Lane - by The Scotsman's Pack, a country pub and inn where I had been recommended to go previously, and had rooms available to stay in for between £60-80. I wasn't tempted by the rooms at this point (having only cycled 15 miles) but I would certainly have been happy to stop off in there for some coffee and a cake. Still, I'd brought all the sustenance I would need for the ride and continued up The Dale rather than on the main A625 into Sheffield for some scenic views and very little traffic. The Dale ascends at a fairly steady pace with an gradient of around 8% over 1.6 miles/2.6km, so provided you've an energy bar or some such before it's not too much of an effort.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qkE5Ott8K8CEIziY3EJFxW7O1abFwaDDpLzD5z0DHDh9Y6-kil2OB56WEHvYnRWyAgA6KIfVVYPciRQuUXt0TZQYmecR4S6wh6egGV-S96aTIcjYkBZRg3p4lkVxDfmdJo7UA0VvmeSo/s1600/IMG_20160528_142450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qkE5Ott8K8CEIziY3EJFxW7O1abFwaDDpLzD5z0DHDh9Y6-kil2OB56WEHvYnRWyAgA6KIfVVYPciRQuUXt0TZQYmecR4S6wh6egGV-S96aTIcjYkBZRg3p4lkVxDfmdJo7UA0VvmeSo/s320/IMG_20160528_142450.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start of the scenic hiker's route up to Stanage Edge.</td></tr>
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Still, I could feel it in my legs and was pleased to reach the summit for a quick breather, where a few cars were parked up near Stanage Edge for the climb up there. As I wasn't in hiking mode, I opted to just take a few minutes out before continuing on to where the road joins up with the long straight drag into Sheffield that is Ringinglow Road. Rather than opting to stay on Ringinglow until the end and head home via Ecclesall Road, I opted to take the quieter option and made a left onto Hangram Lane which leads directly down into Fulwood village. This is a pleasant scenic ride which is mainly downhill but with a few twists and turns that make for a thrilling descent back into suburban Sheffield.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEA73zjTDwz7Vt-V04e8DdH6Z0BaeM-tLWf5Fl-48KdGst6DPIJ4J0DMNUfRTZ29Ue037dQkD0ckh-wryAbm-UIXvlnQykcIDnGsAfJTbfqpTA2MxLnwxUgDP6xTjhwxj5hT_kEjj_ZJyO/s1600/IMG_20160528_142457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEA73zjTDwz7Vt-V04e8DdH6Z0BaeM-tLWf5Fl-48KdGst6DPIJ4J0DMNUfRTZ29Ue037dQkD0ckh-wryAbm-UIXvlnQykcIDnGsAfJTbfqpTA2MxLnwxUgDP6xTjhwxj5hT_kEjj_ZJyO/s320/IMG_20160528_142457.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good to see cycle parking at the bottom of Stanage Edge for those wishing to take a detour!</td></tr>
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Once I'd joined up with Broomhill after the long straight section along Fulwood Road, I headed home via Crookes and along the streets I usually frequent on my way home from language classes late in the evening. It was a pleasant ride and one I would look to repeat (at least in part) in the near future. A possible option is to head out along the A57 as above, then turn right and all the way up Mortimer Road which brings you out near Bradfield and the amusingly named Wigtwizzle - it might be worth heading that way just for a gratuitous selfie under the 'Welcome to...' sign! In any case I had a near perfect ride in perfect weather and I find myself already awaiting the next one with great enthusiasm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRjKzYa3oBeY28BvFKOIjI7dCHGRdrSeoi7uoiA1wAejAX56y2yrJ_R3nNWFZsBGxzwxVWE7Vg8af5lSQOxWnzr-p7AKw1Qri5w4ulCobZlNNzpTPajXXqB85ea_rInsIXMhobiIDky7d/s1600/Bike+ride+stats+28052016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRjKzYa3oBeY28BvFKOIjI7dCHGRdrSeoi7uoiA1wAejAX56y2yrJ_R3nNWFZsBGxzwxVWE7Vg8af5lSQOxWnzr-p7AKw1Qri5w4ulCobZlNNzpTPajXXqB85ea_rInsIXMhobiIDky7d/s320/Bike+ride+stats+28052016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overall stats for the ride.</td></tr>
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<br />jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-38445251529714877122016-05-22T10:45:00.003-07:002016-06-20T13:37:19.964-07:00Sunset over the East River<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeRB-iUOIQxpSlmt8ydc4iu2hqHA_z8EJ9b1wNYK3K9WqhQnb-TV-ln7qVUfsJz8UNWZCa0oo5ai9VKJVdYvDbWkM07FFQ7zgWlL4mOhHdc-Sxzn1sdKrDx30c0Rs43_erFBAK5IqAecv/s1600/IMG_5670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeRB-iUOIQxpSlmt8ydc4iu2hqHA_z8EJ9b1wNYK3K9WqhQnb-TV-ln7qVUfsJz8UNWZCa0oo5ai9VKJVdYvDbWkM07FFQ7zgWlL4mOhHdc-Sxzn1sdKrDx30c0Rs43_erFBAK5IqAecv/s320/IMG_5670.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking the High Line on the site of a former railway line - now a park.</td></tr>
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As last night was our last night was did something pretty special to mark the occasion. Following dinner for a second time at the Polish place with my friend Brian, we made our way to the Wythe Hotel which I'd been recommended as a rooftop bar and as a great way to see the Manhattan skyline at sunset.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lRPyGimIsrfxwF9jEMQPYyQAxYQFfl1Oj_bzT4c3gJJJqCYW4JmjPgF_PnDsdZZWEqmdFvAP_VuEk4jhCbK8sMpVc5SEP5cH-PZySD_TVoOnwh5aQ_IVyCTij3hJs1iWEJnAGLZUvdCp/s1600/IMG_5684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lRPyGimIsrfxwF9jEMQPYyQAxYQFfl1Oj_bzT4c3gJJJqCYW4JmjPgF_PnDsdZZWEqmdFvAP_VuEk4jhCbK8sMpVc5SEP5cH-PZySD_TVoOnwh5aQ_IVyCTij3hJs1iWEJnAGLZUvdCp/s320/IMG_5684.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flatiron Building, for once dappled in sunlight.</td></tr>
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There was a small queue to get in but we were only waiting around 15 minutes and the result was absolutely worth it. Waiting for the lift attendant to take you up makes the experience feel exclusive and the crowd is a mixture of business types, hotel guests and private parties - plus a few excited tourists. Fortunately the mood was amiable and we got to the top at just the right time as the sunset was strikingly beautiful (photos speak for themselves).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-y-COgtMzDc5wRCv42Mfxi0YbJLkppT1Tg5YMC0mhg1NLPbpplex5yFXnKYHJ5LzESNJEfDsulQrDYh3w-gn2UD40jgne8rH2bgRUy0siCNlvkzJPhkemw4jXgNIZd1Ws1C_mwGdQs9ql/s1600/IMG_5696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-y-COgtMzDc5wRCv42Mfxi0YbJLkppT1Tg5YMC0mhg1NLPbpplex5yFXnKYHJ5LzESNJEfDsulQrDYh3w-gn2UD40jgne8rH2bgRUy0siCNlvkzJPhkemw4jXgNIZd1Ws1C_mwGdQs9ql/s320/IMG_5696.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Van Gogh's Starry Night on display at the Museum of Modern Art.</td></tr>
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I'm definitely grateful for my friend's recommendation to see the place and would even consider staying here for a night or two in future. I don't imagine it's cheap to stay (although cheaper than the Plaza) but if you get one of the upper suites there's another, higher balcony overlooking the city from an even wider platform. Still, one for another time I think!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KBloX1nR7SXiHS-7B9-yCnl9JQtiylK9EAcBLb24KYDjQd7zPT3_4uUXKDGJEKHi8K4_-Y-OFmzfLj-Wzjmk4-tztglH4wRIcpBxZas3Mj9q_xiepXlvSCHWmtDWJi-nJ20mK__VQoEv/s1600/IMG_5703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KBloX1nR7SXiHS-7B9-yCnl9JQtiylK9EAcBLb24KYDjQd7zPT3_4uUXKDGJEKHi8K4_-Y-OFmzfLj-Wzjmk4-tztglH4wRIcpBxZas3Mj9q_xiepXlvSCHWmtDWJi-nJ20mK__VQoEv/s320/IMG_5703.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sculpture garden at the Museum of Modern Art.</td></tr>
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Yesterday was a glorious day and I was out in shorts and t-shirt thinking this must be but a taste of the searing New York summer that will hit the city in a month or two. It was an appropriate day to do the High Line, a former railway line turned into a walkway and public park. Interspersed with various art installations and forms of media it's an interesting project and an experiment that seems to have worked well. It was certainly very crowded when we walked along it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWph1fYl5WodS5vGEgRHQNb1JtOuZlTp7-MK5cpt4gNmtWJwnWQaI_E1AbKMhyY7lfu3cvt482DFDypQWwe_RZ029MXfmwhelFHovMjLEd0GFi_J8xWBo-AGsdQFlg0hN3SBlirnNOg0n/s1600/IMG_5715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWph1fYl5WodS5vGEgRHQNb1JtOuZlTp7-MK5cpt4gNmtWJwnWQaI_E1AbKMhyY7lfu3cvt482DFDypQWwe_RZ029MXfmwhelFHovMjLEd0GFi_J8xWBo-AGsdQFlg0hN3SBlirnNOg0n/s320/IMG_5715.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Manhattan skyline as seen at sunset from the Wythe Hotel. </td></tr>
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The end of the High Line brings you out in Chelsea, from where we made a beeline for Bleeker Street Records, around a 15 minute walk away in the West Vilage. We passed through Grove Street again on the way just to have another look at the Friends apartment building before heading on to the record shop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OOXV9mkfSeGe6hDPOXKVr6oCyyIIqOdNlgordDAwJGBbn4gBRtSpfVouYVh3OhGl71C971uJ76B7Yjkj8_yMVdq9Yi1MYKpA4m1GQbA9ydPy_2WWBHscEb5_aefGDQ7pBxg3rQnl9cxd/s1600/IMG_5731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OOXV9mkfSeGe6hDPOXKVr6oCyyIIqOdNlgordDAwJGBbn4gBRtSpfVouYVh3OhGl71C971uJ76B7Yjkj8_yMVdq9Yi1MYKpA4m1GQbA9ydPy_2WWBHscEb5_aefGDQ7pBxg3rQnl9cxd/s320/IMG_5731.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manhattan Skyline at dusk.</td></tr>
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A quick rest for coffee and a doughnut and we headed down to South Ferry for a spot of lunch and to consider taking the Staten Island Ferry. In the end we decided against it as we had already done one ferry ride and would be taking another tomorrow. We headed back uptown instead to Rockefeller Centre and in my case the Museum of Modern Art. The museum is free on Fridays between 4 and 8pm (worth remembering) so I bought a very nice art print of Times Square in New York with a retro nod to Trans World Airlines flying above. It's a wonderful piece and it will look great one day when I have somewhere to put it. I had a swift 45 minute dash around the gallery itself (it deserves longer) and headed back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylzJs6XAPAbtJpnAmf6X4OayDNX3_yqH3B6WUDP_TxgesYDMAyvA-Y4DV3TPbX0ExpgwXeX-rK9h4xV5peKkjfM3Mh-A3KPSKEE4X8RSYco4AtSQGsQTodrqjgGiGSeLYa0vta_1zDosc/s1600/IMG_20160521_002443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylzJs6XAPAbtJpnAmf6X4OayDNX3_yqH3B6WUDP_TxgesYDMAyvA-Y4DV3TPbX0ExpgwXeX-rK9h4xV5peKkjfM3Mh-A3KPSKEE4X8RSYco4AtSQGsQTodrqjgGiGSeLYa0vta_1zDosc/s320/IMG_20160521_002443.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One last hurrah for TImes Square at midnight.</td></tr>
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As stated above dinner was had for a second time at the Polish restaurant Dziupla, following which it was a swift trip to the Wythe Hotel. It's safe to say that this entire trip has been amazing and it will definitely be hard to leave the city. There's a come down after every holiday but I think it's safe to say this will be the biggest one yet! Enjoying the sunset over the East River with a $10 bottle of Brooklyn lager was the perfect way to end the trip and a return to our starting point in Brooklyn just over a week ago.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekQPRy7Q-FtRNo3TxjySw4rEPTiwVRRE4q9dWQ1fgLCIRDJGC5jj88mzASE2QOLeDBddeKvzsuzHcCzxfqzAfhElBT9mj7ZpVNfB1ZQ30EzbdQclY2mUm51J-9VlLqy9s6lLxeOqL3Lxz/s1600/IMG_20160521_140540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekQPRy7Q-FtRNo3TxjySw4rEPTiwVRRE4q9dWQ1fgLCIRDJGC5jj88mzASE2QOLeDBddeKvzsuzHcCzxfqzAfhElBT9mj7ZpVNfB1ZQ30EzbdQclY2mUm51J-9VlLqy9s6lLxeOqL3Lxz/s320/IMG_20160521_140540.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street art at Red Hook in Brooklyn. </td></tr>
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<div>
Our final morning dawned dull and drizzly and we made our way to Pier 11 in the Financial district near Wall Street and took the (free at weekends) water taxi to Ikea in Red Hook. I only had one goal in mind and that was buying Widow Jane whiskey (see below). This is high end whiskey but I had heard great things about it and was determined to bring a bottle back - the more expensive bottles ranged from $120-160 but I was happy to settle for the 10 year bourbon, which was the cheapest in the range at $44.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoH45OylwTkdX0nxQGgyKrp2xkzTLuMBPjFQAQxr1YZFByPy8s_KqbPA0Vj0m7Ecxcl6-95L492Swafg6-g8PeSqFjLpv2TYNPo15RCcn0siPw-kwV0W_bTCDW6K2z2awIsqLglxHDkdu4/s1600/IMG_20160521_143150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoH45OylwTkdX0nxQGgyKrp2xkzTLuMBPjFQAQxr1YZFByPy8s_KqbPA0Vj0m7Ecxcl6-95L492Swafg6-g8PeSqFjLpv2TYNPo15RCcn0siPw-kwV0W_bTCDW6K2z2awIsqLglxHDkdu4/s320/IMG_20160521_143150.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Widow Jane whiskey from the Cacao Prieto distillery in Red Hook, Brooklyn.</td></tr>
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I also bought some luxuriously packaged chocolate of coffee and sea salt flavour to try with the whiskey. After this it was a quick dinner in Manhattan before grabbing our bags from the hotel and making a bid for the airport. We're now back in the UK but I am already making plans to come back to New York next year - a return visit is most definitely a must!!</div>
jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-32025321769594922382016-05-19T20:46:00.003-07:002016-05-19T21:20:03.146-07:00Cycling in Central Park / Making Friends in the West Village<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVa7y2r4gURUe9Zu2CoPCuFoovNIxRQMOux8IHBEhMLjE5banwUSQ5hMVZA44nLapLAJnI6xyYxwRj2Uzs-pzo-fDtRCels8o8hXSLgauefXa_xZznifjjJ2JQfTvzPzjyoI9yAEub45E/s1600/IMG_5482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVa7y2r4gURUe9Zu2CoPCuFoovNIxRQMOux8IHBEhMLjE5banwUSQ5hMVZA44nLapLAJnI6xyYxwRj2Uzs-pzo-fDtRCels8o8hXSLgauefXa_xZznifjjJ2JQfTvzPzjyoI9yAEub45E/s320/IMG_5482.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool segregated cycle path facing the One World Trading Center.</td></tr>
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I'm now two days behind with my blog simply due to seeing and doing so much in that time - typing on a tablet until 1 o'clock in the morning sometimes isn't the most fun thing in the world when you want to get some rest in the city that never sleeps! We changed hotel rooms yesterday as our original room was on the front and you could hear all the traffic, horns blaring and refuse trucks at 6am. The city may never sleep but I definitely need to! Anyway on to more interesting matters.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjTEsDEEWB7kTwOxgm6ynC7exjWPV3MA45HCig7abT7ZvaQxwnxkpciRWXksrNcPj9cY4qWUkfKKB6SezPrF6FkeFNEYQC0G90aVXQCzg5sXNfqIgOR4ltDpbj1ksWTJ8N2NwQM6uMswq/s1600/IMG_20160518_142138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjTEsDEEWB7kTwOxgm6ynC7exjWPV3MA45HCig7abT7ZvaQxwnxkpciRWXksrNcPj9cY4qWUkfKKB6SezPrF6FkeFNEYQC0G90aVXQCzg5sXNfqIgOR4ltDpbj1ksWTJ8N2NwQM6uMswq/s320/IMG_20160518_142138.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Retro taxi cab in the West Village.</td></tr>
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First port of call yesterday was the Skyscraper Museum in the financial district. It may not sound like the most mesmerising place but it's certainly topical and has a notable model of the World Trade Center as it was. It didn't take long to do and as it's only small it wasn't long before I was off on the train to Christopher St - Sheridan Square station. This was a real fanboy moment for me as it's the nearest station to what was used as Monica's apartment building in the TV series Friends.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmuX1NuWHDuBdOEyByRHtxoVHFX4DbTTyPQ16e8_3zT31yEmPtXfYxx3th5y7VAW0lwjDzQaSLde_y7I9ei3YqDiRThXM5rEEQpSwqVrJaK-6EbUkV93dpp3HeqljumHEoZ6siYPH3KNj/s1600/IMG_5486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmuX1NuWHDuBdOEyByRHtxoVHFX4DbTTyPQ16e8_3zT31yEmPtXfYxx3th5y7VAW0lwjDzQaSLde_y7I9ei3YqDiRThXM5rEEQpSwqVrJaK-6EbUkV93dpp3HeqljumHEoZ6siYPH3KNj/s320/IMG_5486.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No need to explain where this is!</td></tr>
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I'm pleased to say it looks exactly as it did in the TV show with the red and blue awning of the restaurant below (The little owl) being still in tact. The restaurant itself is small and quite expensive so I didn't hang around for coffee (unfortunately) but made my way to Bleeker Street with it's quirky shops and cafés as my first port of call in the West Village. It's literally just off from the long street you see so much in episodes of Friends with the twin towers at the end (now replaced by the One World Trade Center).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBV0YSubcIAjbj2tivzHTyaAlUA-l9dYli27b5Jrgr4GRZ_E6tls51oPvdu9UvGdpdcImlgrruTRNP18HhyqyPeT59xypEn7HinBwLMW9oglXJx8LzuxL01WQ3HpOowP01o9xOklr7ZKEm/s1600/IMG_5522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBV0YSubcIAjbj2tivzHTyaAlUA-l9dYli27b5Jrgr4GRZ_E6tls51oPvdu9UvGdpdcImlgrruTRNP18HhyqyPeT59xypEn7HinBwLMW9oglXJx8LzuxL01WQ3HpOowP01o9xOklr7ZKEm/s320/IMG_5522.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Postprandial pint at the Old Town Bar.</td></tr>
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After having coffee in a cool café full of board games and looking in BookBook and Generation Records, I genuinely felt I'd been hanging out in the area where the six of them spent so much (fictional) time. After leaving the Village we headed to the hotel to rest up before dinner which was had at a nice enough restaurant on the West side of the city. We then went to the Old Town Bar which looks exactly the same as it did in the 1890's when it first opened and raised a glass to Father time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3W4x91E3y-iNrWEm_thcP_-yGOSNVk7slNqkZ-BnzZyn8p8etFrY1eZpa3Ayk4Ibf6DnngN3Xw-7xe4z7mDb6mHjqSC-cEZxKrRoI8ZgMIz8Gj1xtspFblQh79tM-SNi25h679j3FaSTJ/s1600/IMG_5544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3W4x91E3y-iNrWEm_thcP_-yGOSNVk7slNqkZ-BnzZyn8p8etFrY1eZpa3Ayk4Ibf6DnngN3Xw-7xe4z7mDb6mHjqSC-cEZxKrRoI8ZgMIz8Gj1xtspFblQh79tM-SNi25h679j3FaSTJ/s320/IMG_5544.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Midnight art display on Times Square.</td></tr>
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Our last outing of the day was to Times Square just before midnight, as every night at 11.57 the screens on the square change to show a different kind of artwork - this time it was flowers. It felt strange to be on Times Square at midnight and gave me a taste of what it must be like to be here on New Years Eve when the famous ball drops.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalaQXT-eVY8aIasAcw7e5FUsAENGggA4IW2S3-NMDgWUSAzNz_D6tKoXG8h41aETDAARTIsDq7GJY9v09EJCLPugl29jBSmTJogyMXqpNcbbkThHyjC8yp_ViYi6au-S7ZBL9u8QLqRXc/s1600/IMG_20160519_130037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalaQXT-eVY8aIasAcw7e5FUsAENGggA4IW2S3-NMDgWUSAzNz_D6tKoXG8h41aETDAARTIsDq7GJY9v09EJCLPugl29jBSmTJogyMXqpNcbbkThHyjC8yp_ViYi6au-S7ZBL9u8QLqRXc/s320/IMG_20160519_130037.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">View of Central Park from the top of the Rockefeller Center.</td></tr>
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As for today, the weather was bright and sunny for the most part so I did what I meant to do yesterday and ventured up 67 floors to the top of the Rockefeller Centre (known as Top of the Rock) to get clear views over Central Park, the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty from on high. Whilst the entry fee is quite steep ($32) there are multiple viewing platforms, plenty of room and gaps in the glass walls for your camera so you can get unobstructed and clear photos of the city from above.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufcgkqBOLSI3bD4UpxS3D8WvsO0TqOgbau_GxazgOym_vE4zmOmZ9YVdlI-NTTbQMCa7JPHG0JGtbkG2yPN_nWcLwqsmak54phkiw5WWJBEk8sFLqcFNjL91AIyjg6t1Q0myFQRJya5zl/s1600/IMG_20160519_170442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufcgkqBOLSI3bD4UpxS3D8WvsO0TqOgbau_GxazgOym_vE4zmOmZ9YVdlI-NTTbQMCa7JPHG0JGtbkG2yPN_nWcLwqsmak54phkiw5WWJBEk8sFLqcFNjL91AIyjg6t1Q0myFQRJya5zl/s320/IMG_20160519_170442.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">View of the Plaza Hotel from Central Park (as seen by Kevin in Home Alone 2).</td></tr>
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The lift up is also pretty cool as it lurches upwards very fast (but doesn't seem to move). However when you set off the ceiling becomes clear and a colourful light show and music plays showing you the speed of the lift going up the elevator shaft. It's a nice touch and I think it's worth going up here rather than the Empire State which I hear is more crowded and more expensive.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQuaxSXwni0qikC5aSiVlDkPVOQfYJiRwj-muTa36J4urm8qz0fA7KBIgWHua6bQl_09h10iIfyOhHGKhV-ZnN3N1dyLPNMBOoygwjE6mzyAu2PMmAQlK-eTXSCpeoMDt9QqmvoIPHHhz/s1600/IMG_20160519_151836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQuaxSXwni0qikC5aSiVlDkPVOQfYJiRwj-muTa36J4urm8qz0fA7KBIgWHua6bQl_09h10iIfyOhHGKhV-ZnN3N1dyLPNMBOoygwjE6mzyAu2PMmAQlK-eTXSCpeoMDt9QqmvoIPHHhz/s320/IMG_20160519_151836.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">In the luxurious lobby of the Plaza Hotel.</td></tr>
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On the way back to grab Dad from the hotel (he didn't fancy the ascent up Rockefeller) I grabbed a wrap, donut and coffee for about $8 to fuel me up for a while. We walked to the Plaza Hotel on the edge of Central Park where I had another fanboy moment (Home Alone 2 anyone?). I felt completely underdressed in my shorts and t-shirt in there but nonetheless had a look around. It's a very posh building with nice shops and a food court and I harbour hopes of staying here at some point in the future (even if just for one night) - perhaps I should book in using my Dad's credit card?!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDT75EdCLTbJsr7PxdD717aQ1728I99t2iGhRWeGRjQUaVAh6jU1C_TbZbyWDibY5psEqTJcijhTxGXb-3hpdjNnbv-mWy-Wa7T-ifCzyhJ1fSOkVH72E9voOAflFtBw3v8Fg6rGAdPTV/s1600/IMG_20160519_161129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDT75EdCLTbJsr7PxdD717aQ1728I99t2iGhRWeGRjQUaVAh6jU1C_TbZbyWDibY5psEqTJcijhTxGXb-3hpdjNnbv-mWy-Wa7T-ifCzyhJ1fSOkVH72E9voOAflFtBw3v8Fg6rGAdPTV/s320/IMG_20160519_161129.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cycling in Central Park (sadly not Tom Boonen in front).</td></tr>
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I left my Dad to roam the streets of Manhattan again as I rented a bike for an hour to make a circuit of Central Park. We've been on subway and foot the whole time since entering the city so it felt nice and freeing to be riding on traffic free roads in the middle of the city surrounded by greenery on all sides. I'm definitely not used to straight handlebars and pedals without cleats any more though!! Give me my own bike and cycle shoes any day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obligatory photo with the bike in Central Park.</td></tr>
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Had another Italian for dinner tonight and another look in The Strand bookshop on Broadway (where I saw early editions of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings for sale at $2500). I didn't buy them and after dinner we headed back to the hotel as my legs were definitely telling me they wanted a rest. The effort of both walking a lot and cycling round Central Park (without cleats!!) had taken it's toll.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajK7JC132l-YhnpdSmKqluK9Roogfl2zrX6gGaKGZL9vj2feC0l8s8gbuH7KB6lZ3V4aGh1NsuRyjG5_dwiBgV8EBCCRDJtwJZeD1Xy1FFZCLVZKZo7OxPq6ubCZJBGlE-Iw-uQbLhXs2/s1600/IMG_5660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajK7JC132l-YhnpdSmKqluK9Roogfl2zrX6gGaKGZL9vj2feC0l8s8gbuH7KB6lZ3V4aGh1NsuRyjG5_dwiBgV8EBCCRDJtwJZeD1Xy1FFZCLVZKZo7OxPq6ubCZJBGlE-Iw-uQbLhXs2/s320/IMG_5660.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impressive subway art at 59 St station near the Plaza Hotel/Central Park.</td></tr>
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Tomorrow is our last full day in the city and I'm hoping to fit in the Museum of Modern Art as well as a walk along the High Line. With luck I might also get to visit the 9/11 memorial museum, if I can get up early enough to get tickets. Now it's time for some well earned rest.<br />
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<br />jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-7507331406398748052016-05-17T21:12:00.000-07:002016-06-20T13:31:33.780-07:00The liveable city?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mcwTRnBM1FR2w3gIBmETmEXfNPKvVBP4m4m030vryUY98sjVOjRfjzoSqT26hLv2IgIkGWuuWYS8XLvQn19c21Y5202g8A4MT1yJ_k5lUYtBGwhj_lgh23jHxy9WPtr0h74PbyPASeqv/s1600/IMG_20160517_124118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mcwTRnBM1FR2w3gIBmETmEXfNPKvVBP4m4m030vryUY98sjVOjRfjzoSqT26hLv2IgIkGWuuWYS8XLvQn19c21Y5202g8A4MT1yJ_k5lUYtBGwhj_lgh23jHxy9WPtr0h74PbyPASeqv/s320/IMG_20160517_124118.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside an old Subway car at the New York Transit Museum.</td></tr>
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As I sit (or rather lay) writing this blog I wonder if New York is the kind of city I could call home. It's certainly very liveable, and exciting but it is very fast paced. In many ways it reminds me of London with it's iconic status, although on a much grander scale. It's easy to get around, clean and efficient and there are plenty of green spaces. Why would anyone ever need to leave?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPx4wcmiBYEim5DEIC1mUVkCSfI1hiWFsdKMZ_jrjd_K9i3Vc6E3N4j0tLP9j9ACb4Jp1EajSO53CJP2ED5nfdQP50rR6tgB3Zc5RGfxe9TflnVmEmZeRWl3vlsjqjMYKymsiJEqpnoyK/s1600/IMG_20160517_124917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPx4wcmiBYEim5DEIC1mUVkCSfI1hiWFsdKMZ_jrjd_K9i3Vc6E3N4j0tLP9j9ACb4Jp1EajSO53CJP2ED5nfdQP50rR6tgB3Zc5RGfxe9TflnVmEmZeRWl3vlsjqjMYKymsiJEqpnoyK/s320/IMG_20160517_124917.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amusing advert featured in an old Subway car.</td></tr>
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It's a valid question, of course in reality people would leave for many reasons. I imagine city life could be quite suffocating and it's always nice to get away somewhere different no matter how much you love it. I'm going off on a tangent again (been reading too many Monocle essays on the subject) so without further ado I'll move on to what I did (or didn't) do today.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJ3I0g_pJ7AFarktnZF7QhSOarftBCOiDCnQRREfeBDiLjk6ZdIjixZSTMgyZ7JxoKn8xti3YTqtMgo8d0PKMSGpg9aTG3Yswdbnj_Viui1z2_Q66bLE8QrSxUZTxgeVVHHpfoHPngzTh/s1600/IMG_20160517_164004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJ3I0g_pJ7AFarktnZF7QhSOarftBCOiDCnQRREfeBDiLjk6ZdIjixZSTMgyZ7JxoKn8xti3YTqtMgo8d0PKMSGpg9aTG3Yswdbnj_Viui1z2_Q66bLE8QrSxUZTxgeVVHHpfoHPngzTh/s320/IMG_20160517_164004.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9/11 memorial on the site of the old World Trade Center.</td></tr>
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First stop was the New York Transit Museum which looks at history of the subway and bus systems. To most people I guess it would be kind of boring but the museum is built in a former disused subway station and explains how the transport authorities deal with things like freak weather, national crises etc. and also has a section on 9/11 showing sensitive pictures of stations that were crushed when the twin towers came down and maps of the system that were changed daily as the system became operational once again. It's a great place for enthusiasts but also for those wishing to get a different perspective on the city.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZy5cqFe3UO6zpVfgn2aKZDxeBcVHnu93t39hBlW1fEzrgLZx8h_eSuTlagt1zrnUyCWGG6rvEzITHaxyvlFwAK5tX9FMY5VlcaoJ2FLsVGooKUfjtDc9qQZIjGru6QRPtH0VIzfYZTPDX/s1600/IMG_20160517_163012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZy5cqFe3UO6zpVfgn2aKZDxeBcVHnu93t39hBlW1fEzrgLZx8h_eSuTlagt1zrnUyCWGG6rvEzITHaxyvlFwAK5tX9FMY5VlcaoJ2FLsVGooKUfjtDc9qQZIjGru6QRPtH0VIzfYZTPDX/s320/IMG_20160517_163012.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Names of victims inscribed on the sides of the 9/11 memorial.</td></tr>
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The real gem comes on the second floor down however as a range of genuine subway cars from as far back as the 1920's are displayed on the tracks and you can wander in and out of them freely. The historic adverts in people particular are very charming (and amusing) and the phenomenon of seeing actual old fans in the subway cars instead of air conditioning will stay with me a long time, haha.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4znVE14LbkcqyrJYbaZKMukF9QOJDYbfwrCCYl6Gf-vhHOJoKsVPyfRg8iGHXcv7yJFhHWAZprM7Jm_93nUzLgOmCkaADmyzKdmMn_9CZcer97o7AVNw49EAV38FBxVge88V8cDpdps4a/s1600/IMG_20160517_180647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4znVE14LbkcqyrJYbaZKMukF9QOJDYbfwrCCYl6Gf-vhHOJoKsVPyfRg8iGHXcv7yJFhHWAZprM7Jm_93nUzLgOmCkaADmyzKdmMn_9CZcer97o7AVNw49EAV38FBxVge88V8cDpdps4a/s320/IMG_20160517_180647.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining out Polish style in Brooklyn.</td></tr>
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After the museum we went to get our bags from the hotel in Brooklyn and transfered them across to our new hotel in Manhattan. Just down from Times Square, after checking in we made our way to Cortland Street station where the 9/11 memorial and museum is located. The memorial consists of two fountains placed exactly where the two towers were located. The fountains pour into an empty black pool with the names of all those who lost their lives inscribed on the sides of the memorial. It's a nice touch set against the backdrop of the new One World Trade Center and is considerably more thoughtful than if they'd just built over the old site.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0khNvNItPaFWzobbYwytYf7Wo7gZ93UnZHT0j2jx28VMf5_aBLgpAjUWp3bVKxKnI9y4xptHFYfq_j7GNORi8WM_gBWljULNide6x4TOvah1NhBVdEaGPFxjlC21XSYMfB7jbk7Da5C6/s1600/IMG_20160517_200855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0khNvNItPaFWzobbYwytYf7Wo7gZ93UnZHT0j2jx28VMf5_aBLgpAjUWp3bVKxKnI9y4xptHFYfq_j7GNORi8WM_gBWljULNide6x4TOvah1NhBVdEaGPFxjlC21XSYMfB7jbk7Da5C6/s320/IMG_20160517_200855.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Times Square again, this time at night.</td></tr>
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Sadly the 9/11 museum was due to close early due to essential maintenance so we didn't get to go today, but will try again tomorrow or the next day. Instead, we made our way back on the subway to 23 Street to see the Flatiron building which due to the light wasn't in the best mood for photographs but was worth seeing anyway - possibly one to come back to later in the week.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-u22YT0WRMDu43nJ-VCYllq9jeeb03ckqCXaLGsQwnfKzg4pqArRh4u-_HMN64tTQ_YvT9Kw_hUDqhc-VReIhErcv4RTFG52FyJgO40Du8ZECWJ1xDVZ6YALKxWyaVHEEfH2YCr7ELN6/s1600/IMG_20160517_221728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-u22YT0WRMDu43nJ-VCYllq9jeeb03ckqCXaLGsQwnfKzg4pqArRh4u-_HMN64tTQ_YvT9Kw_hUDqhc-VReIhErcv4RTFG52FyJgO40Du8ZECWJ1xDVZ6YALKxWyaVHEEfH2YCr7ELN6/s320/IMG_20160517_221728.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The impressively illuminated Rockefeller Center at night.</td></tr>
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I feel like I've been in the city for months (in a good way) so we hopped over on the subway again to Brooklyn, which is fast becoming our go-to area for sit down food. We found a really cool Polish place which was having its happy hour and got half price Polish dumplings as well as beer for $3(!). In these parts that's really good and as an added bonus the guy serving us at the bar was really cute haha. He'd moved here just a few weeks ago from California and had a really cool American accent, although I simply had to speak Polish with him and found out he's from Kraków.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TZPns8EArOfoTT6X_EFBkiVK-nGiH9JySsEty0GjfNmXSrvrmLUh6D4ELRsrUYoJtjxcQBrGzH6r1BmgWGXI9q8LxW3Ag7wel3rQGs-zA__iHAnMnb4PULXQQ1PyK18qQ7QPitvagOHK/s1600/IMG_20160517_221704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TZPns8EArOfoTT6X_EFBkiVK-nGiH9JySsEty0GjfNmXSrvrmLUh6D4ELRsrUYoJtjxcQBrGzH6r1BmgWGXI9q8LxW3Ag7wel3rQGs-zA__iHAnMnb4PULXQQ1PyK18qQ7QPitvagOHK/s320/IMG_20160517_221704.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Van Gogh's ear, formerly a swimming pool, at Rockefeller Centre.</td></tr>
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We headed back to the hotel at this point for a breather as it had been a long day and Dad wanted a shower. After a brief respite however we took the chance to have our first proper nighttime outing which ended up being to Rockefeller Centre. It's a lot prettier than I'd imagined and has lots of cool water features, trees and lights so makes for lots of interesting photos. We made our way back to the hotel and saw the Empire State Building lit up in purple on top in honour of the Class of 2016 finishing school (I think). I bought some tasty looking food from the store next to our hotel - chicken and pasta for $7 but the chicken was only lukewarm when I got back so I left it. Don't want to be ill for the next few days exploration! Until tomorrow.<br />
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<br />jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-61251096035616890772016-05-16T20:52:00.002-07:002016-05-16T20:56:36.307-07:00Book shopping on BroadwayWell it's safe to say today has been another truly amazing day. I am now officially hooked on the city and it's very easy to see why the city has the reputation it has. Best of all, when you're here all the amazing things just seem normal, you feel like a local and just like why haven't I been doing this all along? That's not to say other cities aren't great - even Sheffield where I live (which is much smaller) is a great place to live and has come a long way in the 21st century. Still, New York is at the very top of it's game and simply can't compare to other places.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SUzsWk2YOEMmoA7Ne_ytagt0IIB10Yb6iNd3NezJ5sHY9C7Kp3eABPpooU4xvBQAhFvHJuGdexKtIXGoC4SD2O_ov6psGia1LHYxoMYUW5ib5Bk2rEoemLAOf2P3UvSLPccF99JEhyphenhyphen7J/s1600/IMG_20160516_110945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SUzsWk2YOEMmoA7Ne_ytagt0IIB10Yb6iNd3NezJ5sHY9C7Kp3eABPpooU4xvBQAhFvHJuGdexKtIXGoC4SD2O_ov6psGia1LHYxoMYUW5ib5Bk2rEoemLAOf2P3UvSLPccF99JEhyphenhyphen7J/s320/IMG_20160516_110945.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool underground art at 36 St subway station.</td></tr>
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Most of today was taken up by visiting the Ellis and Liberty Islands to see the Statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, where many hundreds of thousands of people from all backgrounds and countries arrived in the city during the 20th century. It's a lengthy expedition, with constant crowds of people queueing up for tickets then an hours wait to go through airport style security. It really is worth it though; it's very nature means you're not likely to do it again in a hurry and as such make the most of every moment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOa3jtpJg-FrquRf7nLWxEMRNR-fzNhfbaUZTMdyCEvcIhqPHLU5VO6xwMObzWZjFWLlnxbLTAYtrkivvnwVNnxF1kxKDomv7UG8Fqd2xw42Yg3kPTBra41faKzdvE3EPC9auySCM7la6i/s1600/IMG_20160516_162411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOa3jtpJg-FrquRf7nLWxEMRNR-fzNhfbaUZTMdyCEvcIhqPHLU5VO6xwMObzWZjFWLlnxbLTAYtrkivvnwVNnxF1kxKDomv7UG8Fqd2xw42Yg3kPTBra41faKzdvE3EPC9auySCM7la6i/s320/IMG_20160516_162411.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manhattan as seen from the Liberty/Ellis Island ferry.</td></tr>
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Pedestal access tickets to the onsite museum are hard to come by unless you start early, and crown access tickets even harder (unless you take advantage of the ticket touts assaulting you in your way out of South Ferry subway station). Everyone has to go through security though and it was a sunny day, so we were happy enough to just wander round taking pictures through the throng before boarding the ferry again over to Ellis Island.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Q6tkgpIjZ4InIkyFXRZsF_oiR8ZJmC7_T6jlhX4KS7tgcw9P8owfW8tXzz7cdre3cEcEkSz8vu6fw6w_XDkHyVs5QHbGW13p13G6d-gDtbtNbiQQi1Yrjcs9RhPZ-p0u5iyEYDh18ejB/s1600/IMG_20160516_135837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Q6tkgpIjZ4InIkyFXRZsF_oiR8ZJmC7_T6jlhX4KS7tgcw9P8owfW8tXzz7cdre3cEcEkSz8vu6fw6w_XDkHyVs5QHbGW13p13G6d-gDtbtNbiQQi1Yrjcs9RhPZ-p0u5iyEYDh18ejB/s320/IMG_20160516_135837.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not really sure what this is.</td></tr>
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The views from the boat are tremendous, although tinged with sadness still as you note the twin towers missing from the skyline, lost to history. There's no time for sadness though as you head off the boat and into Ellis Island museum. The museum itself is fascinating and free to enter (though the ferry ticket to get here costs), but is quite time consuming. I bought a nice affordable book from the museum gift shop with stories from immigrants from all over the world from the early 20th century to the present day about their lives after arrival in America.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7UxvTcO2QxSImiV1g9I5PKXIIdDWQNep0KFIeOx5mFtHZafnFQ-w3FqtrVRDTKkNWua55bWdbeLp0X68nOoKf4OlxmutH5vpkWwG9mNPYMasFEqBhJAvWHaH-WzG7IxPQSeM_LXhPvlM/s1600/IMG_5366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7UxvTcO2QxSImiV1g9I5PKXIIdDWQNep0KFIeOx5mFtHZafnFQ-w3FqtrVRDTKkNWua55bWdbeLp0X68nOoKf4OlxmutH5vpkWwG9mNPYMasFEqBhJAvWHaH-WzG7IxPQSeM_LXhPvlM/s320/IMG_5366.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue of Liberty as seen from Ellis Island.</td></tr>
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Back in Manhattan we had a cheeky snack of bacon cheese fries (delicious) before heading to the Strand bookshop on Broadway. Absolutely huge with (it's said) over 18 miles of books, a massive bibliophile (i.e. me) could spend hours in there. I didn't however but managed to find a copy of the beautiful hard cover book I'd seen previously about the Grand Central Rail Terminal in the New York Transit Museum at Central station for an amazing $12.95 as compared to $50 in the museum. I was reeling in a positive way at the price so bought another small Taschen art book I'd had my eye on for $8.95 before making my escape, ever conscious of my increasing luggage weight.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaT-jp_e6j_yim_6-3rvNUk4WR_yp0FXM5MG6JzdY3Llv-V2t3Ax20JihW7LOJvoK0jFsYijyazW25y2bqB1GDqL6YJr1_xrf6bouMwyrBAs4sCvkd3RCi-qTsWyyuhdsd5pyZqhc2-vPr/s1600/IMG_20160516_183144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaT-jp_e6j_yim_6-3rvNUk4WR_yp0FXM5MG6JzdY3Llv-V2t3Ax20JihW7LOJvoK0jFsYijyazW25y2bqB1GDqL6YJr1_xrf6bouMwyrBAs4sCvkd3RCi-qTsWyyuhdsd5pyZqhc2-vPr/s320/IMG_20160516_183144.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Strand bookstore on Broadway - this is a dangerous place.</td></tr>
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Dinner was had in Brooklyn again, this time at a German style bierhalle. Currywurst, fries and a hofbrau dunkel for just under $20. Nice! We were pretty tired by this point so headed back to the hotel to settle down. Tomorrow we're moving our things over to our Manhattan-based hotel so it should be easier to explore upper Manhattan or just take a break in the middle of the day if necessary. I still need to see Central Park, Top of the rock, 9/11 Memorial museum, MoMA, Friend's house and so many other things in the next 5 days I don't know where to start.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCOqsWEZDBAlN6oVF_fHTFFugTW1uxywa9Axii5u2_O0b6tyzYuTdCDAUEPav3J-wqpjI25skqiH71LgBXt9_aUOwBYn2m4FE6tdpCpjm6GXv8aF3mjAnJk1LjxxGNEcSdluVL2HvpYI9/s1600/IMG_20160516_205009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCOqsWEZDBAlN6oVF_fHTFFugTW1uxywa9Axii5u2_O0b6tyzYuTdCDAUEPav3J-wqpjI25skqiH71LgBXt9_aUOwBYn2m4FE6tdpCpjm6GXv8aF3mjAnJk1LjxxGNEcSdluVL2HvpYI9/s320/IMG_20160516_205009.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very cool good shop and deli in Brooklyn.</td></tr>
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I still can't believe I'm so close to all these things and it's very easy to see why New Yorkers love their city. On the way back to the hotel I discovered an amazing food shop and deli in Williamsburg and picked up an artsy magazine in a bookstore known as The Brooklyn Rail which I'm going to sit and read now - critical perspectives on arts, politics and culture await! Time to get my hipster on - until tomorrow ;)<br />
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jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-60975009034404122012016-05-15T21:04:00.002-07:002016-05-15T21:25:08.835-07:00The Big Apple<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r9ThIgaDFtcgPMTyrBJDi95H1MSZ-K7bEDkhT55gdI7A5uH4FlT_WOq0wbBhlQdcoj2KTe4F3iTp-Sy0hKf_zkLfNX7x1paT7GIIaFkMTnKRCnFIGkX5fFqy1fEvCv8gGnbJz34o2Vef/s1600/IMG_20160515_113327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r9ThIgaDFtcgPMTyrBJDi95H1MSZ-K7bEDkhT55gdI7A5uH4FlT_WOq0wbBhlQdcoj2KTe4F3iTp-Sy0hKf_zkLfNX7x1paT7GIIaFkMTnKRCnFIGkX5fFqy1fEvCv8gGnbJz34o2Vef/s320/IMG_20160515_113327.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first taste of Manhattan crossing the bridge on the subway.</td></tr>
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Our first full day in the big city dawned bright and (reasonably clear). After breakfast I was very much torn by what to do first with so much choice around me. Should I explore Brooklyn first, or Manhattan? Given that it was so close, the temptation was there, but as we're based in Brooklyn for the first few days we decided to start here. Somewhat ironically, we had to take the subway to Union St 14 station in Manhattan before changing to the L line to cross back into Brooklyn for our first stop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaOCQJq3B_LqWIkTeKGfs-yAO6RVBBMFvtr7RHaEpYYfaeueiRXTwp-MsgNUdA_wVj0Bxd38Zqo_k3fqs215BZzBRDHWg0pv9QKr6EVPt_3aLB_HdMEMoAYEKT_xwXQxypOVutSKjq6Z8/s1600/IMG_20160515_133444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaOCQJq3B_LqWIkTeKGfs-yAO6RVBBMFvtr7RHaEpYYfaeueiRXTwp-MsgNUdA_wVj0Bxd38Zqo_k3fqs215BZzBRDHWg0pv9QKr6EVPt_3aLB_HdMEMoAYEKT_xwXQxypOVutSKjq6Z8/s320/IMG_20160515_133444.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All aboard for the Brooklyn Brewery tour.</td></tr>
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This was to be the Brooklyn Brewery, which I had tried to book on a tour for a few weeks before my arrival into the city, but unfortunately they had sold out for the week I was here. Happily, they also offer free tours at weekends for which no reservations are allowed, but you just turn up and take your chances - luckily, we had no problems doing so. As we arrived just after the last tour had left we had plenty of time so we had a beer from the bar in the brewery itself: $5 for a delicious Greenmarket wheat beer in my case.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTs_WlJRDOpaTIQrTO74gq6aHAbd6Xwz_zeqvLnXSiUv9Id0gHycgl29W4rqM0AFfVaRE0l4ue69i-ZtV8Vr-Tw0bLfQ1DOx0DTE_rUEDURmo8EEN_Y4DUkn_M6V9OEQEXl6hr10XJ82c/s1600/IMG_20160515_133713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTs_WlJRDOpaTIQrTO74gq6aHAbd6Xwz_zeqvLnXSiUv9Id0gHycgl29W4rqM0AFfVaRE0l4ue69i-ZtV8Vr-Tw0bLfQ1DOx0DTE_rUEDURmo8EEN_Y4DUkn_M6V9OEQEXl6hr10XJ82c/s320/IMG_20160515_133713.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous Wythe Hotel. Drinks planned here later in the week on the rooftop bar!</td></tr>
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As the tour itself had been free instead of $14 I also treated myself to one of the breweries big bottles, Local number 2 with European malt and hops, Belgian dark sugar and raw wildflower honey from a New York family farm. At 9% ABV it is definitely a thing to be savoured. After leaving the brewery we headed to Rough Trade Records, a cool CD and vinyl shop with some vintage Otis Redding on vinyl as well as a cool release by a band called Eagulls - released by a Brooklyn based record label I thought I was onto a winner after hearing it on the listening post...until I discovered the band were from Leeds in Yorkshire - d'oh!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBPhEPzuVTstTbWkiW_YB8PvBv1crGfi60wmvot2M7gjnPSSz2XU7IVbozGdYnBxjNMtfCovvr6YaKKadY6tZ_ND6F6RdpnHGlGDIOOEk9GuJSfpk0TS93jAIHisRLMpr83XIj0ouM4nK/s1600/IMG_20160515_153602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBPhEPzuVTstTbWkiW_YB8PvBv1crGfi60wmvot2M7gjnPSSz2XU7IVbozGdYnBxjNMtfCovvr6YaKKadY6tZ_ND6F6RdpnHGlGDIOOEk9GuJSfpk0TS93jAIHisRLMpr83XIj0ouM4nK/s320/IMG_20160515_153602.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The amazing Grand Central rail terminal.</td></tr>
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Next up we took a brief stroll down to Bushwick Inlet Park on the riverside for a view across into Manhattan. Sadly it was somewhat windy and cold at this point and overcast conditions meant the photos weren't the best. We headed back to the subway station to cross back over into Manhattan, where we changed trains to explore Grand Central railway terminus. As the starting point for many commuter trains headed north of the city it remains a fantastically beautiful building and with a range of shops and historic features inside.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVHnfW-LipsamP5iR5zXutwaFVKUteNGbXW40YakI-9iCXr9seFO5R3WDtUvMXt16Fbx4eS-skKjJaEpo4p7kUJXYBlr3UfFpYiwxCsoTWNXK4rSBPkpfEuzBBd2EellQMM1M3mYx0_5G/s1600/IMG_20160515_153746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVHnfW-LipsamP5iR5zXutwaFVKUteNGbXW40YakI-9iCXr9seFO5R3WDtUvMXt16Fbx4eS-skKjJaEpo4p7kUJXYBlr3UfFpYiwxCsoTWNXK4rSBPkpfEuzBBd2EellQMM1M3mYx0_5G/s320/IMG_20160515_153746.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The historic clock over the information booth in Grand Central.</td></tr>
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We had a quick coffee and a snack from Café Grumpy (made me laugh) in the station then headed outside to just roam the streets for a while. We headed north along Fifth Avenue and came out at Bryant Park, a pleasantly green leafy spot with a random collection of chairs and books outside where you could just sit and read. We headed over the road and came across a Japanese bookstore selling all manner of books on Japanese culture, fiction etc in a range of languages. Somehow I wasn't at all surprised to see this in New York!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRFhyBgBJBFnt7ETSJ1PZFhnwDTOHS15ajtCy9jC23nWKc2OxaDTS18SgnFSrgINMFuH7en4YqmikpM_dpPrta0U064VHvqokJr-FaTezkTcbmwyv_IVbq7hOOo8982O5VgAshnk8cgTn/s1600/IMG_20160515_173505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRFhyBgBJBFnt7ETSJ1PZFhnwDTOHS15ajtCy9jC23nWKc2OxaDTS18SgnFSrgINMFuH7en4YqmikpM_dpPrta0U064VHvqokJr-FaTezkTcbmwyv_IVbq7hOOo8982O5VgAshnk8cgTn/s320/IMG_20160515_173505.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The attractive Bryant Park just off Fifth Avenue.</td></tr>
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After leafing through the shelves for a while we left the shop and meandered over to Times Square, which came up on us before we knew it. I was pleased to walk the streets a little, as you see and do more than is possible below ground. Given we're currently based in Brooklyn, we've no choice but to rely on the subway, although this is an experience in itself and doesn't take too long to get to places if you plan your route. Still, New York is very much a walking city and if you group sights together there's no reason you can't spend an entire day without ever getting a train if you put your mind to it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-F5fdBcmZ1RB_qeF0M5xGnq-rt4Ai5o51Hy_m7eftQZWbeP84AizVNtXwJRzmtZ8kI4qJRNftuJN_NTrVyc8tRHk_ybleeqmzPLE4kFblGxYO5DbztQ5Zl4Sy1NFte0E955RgnPOyt3xJ/s1600/IMG_20160515_191115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-F5fdBcmZ1RB_qeF0M5xGnq-rt4Ai5o51Hy_m7eftQZWbeP84AizVNtXwJRzmtZ8kI4qJRNftuJN_NTrVyc8tRHk_ybleeqmzPLE4kFblGxYO5DbztQ5Zl4Sy1NFte0E955RgnPOyt3xJ/s320/IMG_20160515_191115.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous Times Square approaching dusk.</td></tr>
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Veering off track there, anyway Times Square isn't quite what I thought. It's certainly very impressive, and full of tourists, but somehow felt different to how I expected. I can't put it any other way, but suffice it to say it's cooler in the evening as it starts to get dark and the light show comes into it's own. I bought a nice canvassy print in a cardboard frame from a Russian guy for $2 (hopefully with no links to the Mafia) - there were loads of them making it hard to choose but I settled on a print showing all the shows on display in the square. It's my hope to see something off (or on) Broadway later in the week, possibly Arthur Miller's The Crucible (hello Sheffield!) at the Walter Kerr theatre.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelnFGGrLKPMZqrETJOWv-fWO-HCNTfbuWZxJXijnO3hC-4BNc0T1AU177eqsHQCDV4WsEiwQ0jcWBVUzdXu_WNSsHfi41o24Y1Rco6QZiCnoY_b8Agt6HiLQbGW8PnyYOOvM5vLb2x1Kt/s1600/IMG_20160515_181511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelnFGGrLKPMZqrETJOWv-fWO-HCNTfbuWZxJXijnO3hC-4BNc0T1AU177eqsHQCDV4WsEiwQ0jcWBVUzdXu_WNSsHfi41o24Y1Rco6QZiCnoY_b8Agt6HiLQbGW8PnyYOOvM5vLb2x1Kt/s320/IMG_20160515_181511.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Museum and gift shop dedicated to Hershey's in Times Square.</td></tr>
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Time was marching on so we headed back into Brooklyn for dinner. We had planned to eat at Łomżynianka, a Polish restaurant in Williamsburg. Sadly it had closed down when we got there, so we had clearly been misled by Google. Nonetheless we chose a cosy, candlelit bar called All's well where I had delicious gnocchi in a cheese sauce with asparagus and a lager from another local outfit Six point brewing. Following on this we went to the hotel to retire. It's now 8 minutes to midnight so time for some sleep ready for another hectic day of exploring tomorrow!jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-8369656065536904642016-05-14T09:10:00.000-07:002016-05-14T09:13:28.974-07:00Leaving St. LouisIt's a strange feeling leaving St. Louis after a week here, and somewhat sad. I know I'm flying to New York this evening and it's highly likely to be considerably more exciting than anything I've ever experienced. Still, this part of the trip has been a nostalgic experience as much as revisiting the city through more 'adult' eyes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY87kNzGm7PGiWv1MzgSaaOAs-TIXCk2iGM6qTtAsm9Phog77Qgt9AX5nrfhdoskQvnIawzZMARHKIn7e0F0mbraGGGd2saKtCVInWYbul9cIk8S1Ngn8vvUUDLRTgYtTchs7Hl4M2OMeI/s1600/IMG_5127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY87kNzGm7PGiWv1MzgSaaOAs-TIXCk2iGM6qTtAsm9Phog77Qgt9AX5nrfhdoskQvnIawzZMARHKIn7e0F0mbraGGGd2saKtCVInWYbul9cIk8S1Ngn8vvUUDLRTgYtTchs7Hl4M2OMeI/s320/IMG_5127.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful building that is the Washington University in St. Louis.</td></tr>
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The city itself hasn't changed too much, although some things are different (or perhaps they seem different to me). However, I think it's myself that has changed more in the 13 and a half years since I first came. That's not surprising, given I was only 15 when I last came, but it certainly makes for some interesting observations on things I didn't even notice or think about last time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIoSByENsVW5j_FRgGXbIwPhV3bRIC6JmxU8UHmgJoah_2u3jSYIzvfD3tq6jXa_E_fgr-yn-Z9ZP9OrZ5VGtcscZR72tz7Grkqrm2IKNWYTX78TFlxSaIgS0I50SkRFixc-412tHcU6E/s1600/IMG_20160513_120809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIoSByENsVW5j_FRgGXbIwPhV3bRIC6JmxU8UHmgJoah_2u3jSYIzvfD3tq6jXa_E_fgr-yn-Z9ZP9OrZ5VGtcscZR72tz7Grkqrm2IKNWYTX78TFlxSaIgS0I50SkRFixc-412tHcU6E/s320/IMG_20160513_120809.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning refreshment at Kaldi Coffee CO.</td></tr>
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Anyway, this isn't a blog piece down memory lane or a place for my philosophical musings (which you all probably know I'm bad for), but a summary of the trip. Our last full day yesterday was spent mainly around the arch - we finally made our way back to the top in one of the tram/cable cars that pull you up one leg and then back down the other (after some time at the top).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWlHig4hw057oOne8FNBjcGHQ2ksiiib3lrkZRUKGRKF3EbYh6mmVDT9Q-g6RfEhxTlaAeYLlsEAx4E2nQzDv8d0ex-2Tkv24-d-1E0sCyNsIYzPhxmbFIQwHHzSNmgd0xWjhT2cM7Kuk/s1600/IMG_20160513_150907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWlHig4hw057oOne8FNBjcGHQ2ksiiib3lrkZRUKGRKF3EbYh6mmVDT9Q-g6RfEhxTlaAeYLlsEAx4E2nQzDv8d0ex-2Tkv24-d-1E0sCyNsIYzPhxmbFIQwHHzSNmgd0xWjhT2cM7Kuk/s320/IMG_20160513_150907.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up at the arch from ground level.</td></tr>
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Going up the arch is an, or even the essential experience to undertake when coming to St. Louis. The true scale of the structure is only apparent when you get to the top, and unlike other more linear structures the sensation of walking on a curved floor reminds you where you are and is quite astounding. The lack of a large steel arch in the view over the city is slightly perturbing, but it gives you a chance to see other landmarks you may not have focused on from down on the ground.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW48-Dm6b41Zz4qE5EIH0wtBnReKmWFZuLPqp8oJMzBW4iKc7cphG6jFVp5apEXWXlO0MTup51IViMItePCi-CQvWFBIcE94uhRnjnPp3dQdW76sUUg4eG61xfeS2KeD9HaMbkvDHW9fvK/s1600/IMG_5161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW48-Dm6b41Zz4qE5EIH0wtBnReKmWFZuLPqp8oJMzBW4iKc7cphG6jFVp5apEXWXlO0MTup51IViMItePCi-CQvWFBIcE94uhRnjnPp3dQdW76sUUg4eG61xfeS2KeD9HaMbkvDHW9fvK/s320/IMG_5161.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the arch at the very top, 630 feet up.</td></tr>
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We spent around 20 minutes up there taking photos and generally taking into account just where we were, 630 feet off the ground. The arch cost $15 million to build and we discovered that the architect, Eero Saarinen, who designed the monument didn't even live long enough to see construction begin - quite a tragedy really, but at least his memory lives on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNV1ItMjY0bq5tMXEdy024OpFP101TuEil5vFpOFOBhNFyyXS2SA8inY1fohvJ5una4aojni2x29EFyhIPRHmgV4JWCFgNUFHn7MT_PCYblpnS7NfIVXQYOLBJQB9NBBU4sX6a0TB2nEQ/s1600/IMG_5168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNV1ItMjY0bq5tMXEdy024OpFP101TuEil5vFpOFOBhNFyyXS2SA8inY1fohvJ5una4aojni2x29EFyhIPRHmgV4JWCFgNUFHn7MT_PCYblpnS7NfIVXQYOLBJQB9NBBU4sX6a0TB2nEQ/s320/IMG_5168.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown St. Louis as seen from the top of the arch.</td></tr>
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We didn't really do much else for the rest of the day. We took the metro back to Union Station and I returned to the Schlafly tap room to buy my cycle jersey (I just couldn't leave it). We then returned to the hotel via the supermarket to get some last night snacks and headed back to pack. Checkout from the hotel is in 10 minutes so it's time for one last trip downtown to do my whiskey distillery tour at Still630 distillery, then lunch at Broadway Oyster Bar before heading back to the airport.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzTpLf8oF_Y51P17VaLpl5p-IdSsuRqG2VFsHh6dlxLTT6tTT6zCM08ni642OTsXgHWxu6OjuF18fjTIozqmw8KlMFzmCGBxKsRqLZA9vIrHgLTbk2nUE0FCswR3u-RbvAhWsnMJKQ8fo/s1600/IMG_20160513_141509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzTpLf8oF_Y51P17VaLpl5p-IdSsuRqG2VFsHh6dlxLTT6tTT6zCM08ni642OTsXgHWxu6OjuF18fjTIozqmw8KlMFzmCGBxKsRqLZA9vIrHgLTbk2nUE0FCswR3u-RbvAhWsnMJKQ8fo/s320/IMG_20160513_141509.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of St. Louis as seen through a window of the arch.</td></tr>
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It's been a blast St. Louis. Who knows when I'll be back again, probably not for a while, but I definitely hope to return in future, even if just for a few days. I probably won't spend a week here again, but then there's still a lot of the US left for me to explore! Montana next year anyone? In the meantime, New York here I come!!!!<br />
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jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-63032734179635667852016-05-12T22:49:00.001-07:002016-05-14T09:14:43.529-07:00Star wars, cycle jerseys and science museumsToday dawned cloudy as per yesterday, and with a little rain but fortunately no storms. Our first destination was Forest Park, as we had decided to finally do the Science Center. The Center was very loud and full of school kids and reminded me of a kids play area back home which my nieces love. Still, we weren't there to explore the museum so much as to go to the IMAX cinema we'd visited previously in 2002. Admission was $9 and we saw an inspiring film about a group of three people exploring America's national parks and trying out all sorts of adventurous activities, from ice rock climbing to mountain biking in and around famous canyons and climbing tall rocks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdp0CkjyTERzE1PYNLi-jnArJtnHu9exVK-l_TyUA2SO999bs7xliGRka9OpIgsCnP7LW0fEMBIfXW8Gk2ijiIbBNDsUGTYgbwOxDxB7-eisyASsMfKVFwrZ487kVnnUHFxn5qSGS_SOcK/s1600/IMG_20160512_123934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdp0CkjyTERzE1PYNLi-jnArJtnHu9exVK-l_TyUA2SO999bs7xliGRka9OpIgsCnP7LW0fEMBIfXW8Gk2ijiIbBNDsUGTYgbwOxDxB7-eisyASsMfKVFwrZ487kVnnUHFxn5qSGS_SOcK/s320/IMG_20160512_123934.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ceramic Star Wars mugs on display at the Science Center - shame they're not for sale!</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">The cinema itself is astounding, and whilst not in 3D, the films present on a huge domed screen (the largest I've ever seen) and you literally feel as if you're right there with the guys in the film. You climb up to your seat and the seats are arranged in such a way that you immediately lean back in your seat and look skywards. It's quite an experience and one I won't forget in a hurry. Prior to going to the cinema we also had a brief look around the Missouri History Museum, which stocked a great range of books and relics from American history.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveFV3u_il-oYvVsEmB5NtETrjTxHq2AFDL6UiJBLVzOD2Hk1nUbUpfhSkMvIMVRmv7eK5eF5VjOTcAPvsVDk69nPmh9Zl1r0HKDU9fu2c2xW-x8tnuokr-tetOpxIxK5hNEtFhA2ePhwN/s1600/IMG_20160512_124401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveFV3u_il-oYvVsEmB5NtETrjTxHq2AFDL6UiJBLVzOD2Hk1nUbUpfhSkMvIMVRmv7eK5eF5VjOTcAPvsVDk69nPmh9Zl1r0HKDU9fu2c2xW-x8tnuokr-tetOpxIxK5hNEtFhA2ePhwN/s320/IMG_20160512_124401.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pretty awesome film we saw at the Omnimax theatre.</td></tr>
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We headed back downtown afterwards as when we left the museum the weather had improved dramatically and we decided to take our chances and go up the Gateway Arch whilst it was nice. Unfortunately tickets had sold out for the day so we bought them for tomorrow afternoon and watched the 30 minute movie detailing the arch's construction. To say it's 50 years old the quality was amazing and they clearly went to special lengths to document the construction of the arch. It's a real find and definitely worth watching as a tribute to this historical monument.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYovmaYzZfCEgjcY2Y_1Vp97dy3uGKXjXlksC7bncHeTkWwC7oldF1CyI7FbthhBNMUw7Ye9OhwS1WewB5oggvdSrAb1_cVeNn1yhc3oqXhVflw-sIsHsWjpb-_r2Ik7kNnIA8Z_0n8p_V/s1600/IMG_5098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYovmaYzZfCEgjcY2Y_1Vp97dy3uGKXjXlksC7bncHeTkWwC7oldF1CyI7FbthhBNMUw7Ye9OhwS1WewB5oggvdSrAb1_cVeNn1yhc3oqXhVflw-sIsHsWjpb-_r2Ik7kNnIA8Z_0n8p_V/s320/IMG_5098.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty cool merchandise and memorabilia on display - love the bike theme!</td></tr>
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We were getting pretty hungry by this point so headed over to Union Station towards the Schlafly tap room, home of one of the local breweries and offering a good range of hearty food in addition to a range of beers on draft. They also sold some cool merchandise so I picked up a cool tshirt, a couple of bottle openers and an awesome poster print detailing the local breweries in St! Louis overlaid on a map.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhta2l_fM_qYWZwcfF1gV0tN74ncKeHfBuzJAlM_-wAi1ms8lQtjIgkBK5tCD7RUhG0T7MN94cIZetLCiWv5fSKcN0Eq43MymOZGRZoEEFLWHfOux4BtLVTsOQ4GdVPmlD5YyVe0NTrYToI/s1600/IMG_20160512_181138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhta2l_fM_qYWZwcfF1gV0tN74ncKeHfBuzJAlM_-wAi1ms8lQtjIgkBK5tCD7RUhG0T7MN94cIZetLCiWv5fSKcN0Eq43MymOZGRZoEEFLWHfOux4BtLVTsOQ4GdVPmlD5YyVe0NTrYToI/s320/IMG_20160512_181138.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A map of local breweries on display at the tap house.</td></tr>
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I really had to resist getting one of the cycle jerseys they had on sale for $60 as I felt I'd spent enough over the course of the day and couldn't really justify buying it (I have a pretty sizeable collection at home). That's not to say I won't return for it though! On the way back to the metro we took a slightly different route back that revealed some fantastic views of the old Union Station and I couldn't resist the photo opportunity. We also checked out the very classy hall inside where you could sit for drinks etc. - presumably this was the old waiting hall for trains, and was ever so majestic, now part of an expensive (and tasteful) hotel. We also got to look inside the station as the food court was open which overlooks the former shopping area. Only two food places were open and it really does look a shadow of it's former self. Such a shame to see a really beautiful building ( partially) gone to waste.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi527sMWZW_z7OhC0MgoilXcyZhYIebVwI9usr_Zo8hnK4Io82lMgiedTCaw1CswOkEKp0RstH8hh0egpv3mkRC05w2j77E2P4GBzEaDePiVCeDs2ELhlKbMWHP03f_5DxODdwB6xtH_JE7/s1600/IMG_20160512_172906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi527sMWZW_z7OhC0MgoilXcyZhYIebVwI9usr_Zo8hnK4Io82lMgiedTCaw1CswOkEKp0RstH8hh0egpv3mkRC05w2j77E2P4GBzEaDePiVCeDs2ELhlKbMWHP03f_5DxODdwB6xtH_JE7/s320/IMG_20160512_172906.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The oh-so-cool cycling Jersey from the Schlafly tap room.</td></tr>
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There was a bit of trouble on the metro on the way home with a local gang of some sort having a bit of a to-do with each other. Fortunately the security on the platform at Forest Park station courted them off and we were able to continue our journey. Unfortunately we ended up missing our hourly bus connection due to the trouble so ended up staying on the train to the airport then coming back just to kill some time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-ScW9irjvkY5RzKxc-peidtKdxjJ5o00U_DTlU3jGOwjrWrwd-jq8vWT6l2TDRp-9z4ov_IjH9XXRoms8uaGBmoKJ2MSv2oUyBfqX1_ZtsL4ctEuM2abY6iWAVXKiqsFbCN0scwE_CCV/s1600/IMG_5101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-ScW9irjvkY5RzKxc-peidtKdxjJ5o00U_DTlU3jGOwjrWrwd-jq8vWT6l2TDRp-9z4ov_IjH9XXRoms8uaGBmoKJ2MSv2oUyBfqX1_ZtsL4ctEuM2abY6iWAVXKiqsFbCN0scwE_CCV/s320/IMG_5101.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The glorious Union Station, no longer a railway terminus.</td></tr>
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Tomorrow is our last full day in St. Louis so we're going to finally ascend the arch ourselves (if the promised storm doesn't come) and may check out another record store we've been recommended. Then it's off back to the hotel to pack our suitcases and spend our last night relaxing before boarding our plane back to New York where the real fun is set to begin!jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-20216538416196195662016-05-11T19:46:00.003-07:002016-05-11T20:01:22.941-07:00Sounds of St. LouisToday has been a pretty good day, with the exception of the weather. As I write, the sky is being lit up brightly by lightning outside the window of our hotel room, and by all accounts we missed a huge hailstorm earlier - somehow we seem to keep avoiding them with no apparent knowledge!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluG7XQo9aIzesgoCXZ8NyczkhncQa7sZx3ozOLevtgpeCMtXH21Ke1QQEV6s0mUR6WmWGKY_w8pBONvi1nV0cRyfm6I11lfFEgflUq0t8agpJ2UDxgQMmSKGV9qVdl4GTcDA2ZpNd6N6j/s1600/IMG_5049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluG7XQo9aIzesgoCXZ8NyczkhncQa7sZx3ozOLevtgpeCMtXH21Ke1QQEV6s0mUR6WmWGKY_w8pBONvi1nV0cRyfm6I11lfFEgflUq0t8agpJ2UDxgQMmSKGV9qVdl4GTcDA2ZpNd6N6j/s320/IMG_5049.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colourful hotel sign indicating where my Dad stayed in 1999.</td></tr>
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We started the day in somewhat nostalgic fashion, taking Dad to see the Residence Inn where he'd previously stayed whilst working here in 1999. The friendly staff at the reception asked us about our stay here and showed us inside one of the self-contained apartments which Dad said hadn't changed too much from the time he first came here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWblTv0hv8O9-jSpNpl522iVaJVcibZeO54ipipOlgghrFKNUoI0i-szJUDIrvjfeRIPyEhtumhiT5zHqBfps22PC-2ZkxOwz_stXBy6qz12Vb2b8RTQzp54CiPzyUAh-g4TnzDnMJTmoi/s1600/IMG_5050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWblTv0hv8O9-jSpNpl522iVaJVcibZeO54ipipOlgghrFKNUoI0i-szJUDIrvjfeRIPyEhtumhiT5zHqBfps22PC-2ZkxOwz_stXBy6qz12Vb2b8RTQzp54CiPzyUAh-g4TnzDnMJTmoi/s320/IMG_5050.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the nice apartments where my Dad guested.</td></tr>
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Afterwards we moved on to the Galleria shopping centre just across a wide highway from the Residence Inn. As with most shopping malls it was the usual not-so-eclectic mix of clothes shops, electronics and food places, together with other high end goods, but at least it got us out of the rain which started just before we got in there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vy2DlWUUY2b9Pm_622IqIdseDldMMUYZ5VQisX6SpMpwO4gVfSc5Mrc6GBanS0TuZjOifLOAvIIgIBdCxBXavOVjZ5zzrDA9nXVFBbAlviNc58U0MRn0YiMd11sdXt8TkPAU8mhZMl0a/s1600/IMG_5058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vy2DlWUUY2b9Pm_622IqIdseDldMMUYZ5VQisX6SpMpwO4gVfSc5Mrc6GBanS0TuZjOifLOAvIIgIBdCxBXavOVjZ5zzrDA9nXVFBbAlviNc58U0MRn0YiMd11sdXt8TkPAU8mhZMl0a/s320/IMG_5058.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The very wide road near the Galleria shopping centre.</td></tr>
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I did have a look in American Eagle's clothing store which had a few nice t-shirts and a good range of boxer shorts, as well as H&m which had a nice New York T-shirt I hadn't seen in the UK. I also bought some luxury Belgian chocolates from Godiva in the lower part of the mall. We didn't hang around but instead had a quick coffee and a snack at St. Louis Bread Co. before going back to the metrolink station.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ryDL5evPeOF4s7x4L4TRybl3ZUgNAc1CheWS4Ktjs6mCgJriU2ZNTqbN6VtjKLTYBOyqfavXHlWo0fHSsayYyjfE_pdKzIpA7scOIv1z2tiE90ztblBwiMOL2m1cw3Sh97oqie6j_vfC/s1600/IMG_5066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ryDL5evPeOF4s7x4L4TRybl3ZUgNAc1CheWS4Ktjs6mCgJriU2ZNTqbN6VtjKLTYBOyqfavXHlWo0fHSsayYyjfE_pdKzIpA7scOIv1z2tiE90ztblBwiMOL2m1cw3Sh97oqie6j_vfC/s320/IMG_5066.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pretty cool and quirky area known as the Delmar Loop.</td></tr>
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We got the metrolink to Skinker station (funny name) which is just on the edge of Forest Park and also a short walk from the Delmar Loop. The Delmar Loop is a long street of shops and eating places, and seems to be more sure of itself than other areas we've explored in St. Louis. It has a lot of neon signs and tram tracks laid down (seemingly with no trams running) and feels a bit like old world America, if such a thing exists, kind of like the setting for Hill Valley in Back to the Future (!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRwpS5WdWOuMLHUtI60SMKL6yDXbBfylB7QCDL50N9CdclbZKJQDSp3PUuDEsbo5ffA5Adh_RET3e5sBtsTi1-qBFYt5MCREt7MltN4udw-hWx1US6LGWfyVkqNRJlTnoxGNbj9nqlLOK/s1600/IMG_5062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRwpS5WdWOuMLHUtI60SMKL6yDXbBfylB7QCDL50N9CdclbZKJQDSp3PUuDEsbo5ffA5Adh_RET3e5sBtsTi1-qBFYt5MCREt7MltN4udw-hWx1US6LGWfyVkqNRJlTnoxGNbj9nqlLOK/s320/IMG_5062.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">One of the many colourful signs in Delmar Loop.</td></tr>
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Whilst on the street we ventured into a place called Subterranean Books (curiously with no downstairs) and a record store called Vintage Vinyl. This store was particularly cool and had wide ranging sections from blues, folk, soul to local and world music, as well as a whole section dedicated to Prince. Some good prices were to be had as well as some rarities, and I took a chance on a folk/roots/bluegrass album by New Yorker Eileen Ivers (appropriate), as well as a compilation of local artists traversing a number of genres including blues, folk, country and rock which seems pretty appropriate for music from this neck of the woods.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwFdxlcqVP8-RESTPZX1k_Ks4J1JBenAaxcdA4gqpxWsFEZAZaBZKH7Nu5QMont97QEzQooImU4AeXFOdrBeNjuuDMU4Fhg9A75PIcG3q_8XVfEp1lzIrfQVnuDMoP51TOOMDTjUpbKp_/s1600/IMG_20160511_180945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwFdxlcqVP8-RESTPZX1k_Ks4J1JBenAaxcdA4gqpxWsFEZAZaBZKH7Nu5QMont97QEzQooImU4AeXFOdrBeNjuuDMU4Fhg9A75PIcG3q_8XVfEp1lzIrfQVnuDMoP51TOOMDTjUpbKp_/s320/IMG_20160511_180945.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple of CDs by a mix of local artists and a native New Yorker.</td></tr>
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As it turns out both CD's are excellent and seem set to be good reminders of my time here (although I haven't gotten to New York yet). I left the store feeling very satisfied and wondered what other cool record stores I might find in New York (Rough Trade aside). Whilst making our way slowly back to the metro station I took the time to study the LA-esque stars in the sidewalk commemorating local legends and those with a link to the city - including Tina Turner, Chuck Berry and Pierre Laclede, after whom Laclede's Landing is named downtown.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGnVOEuntEVe_-oHAwTNr5FZcp7Unm6kjvufbDsEFIKjnrrdlLp4-v3cyEYvEknHabO8LvqKJn1_BdEPHuQXiUXZOqV2AFkQbGYxxdiN3SreJwDHZrk_kpY-vzFEct0DEuZk4Nm-78LD2/s1600/IMG_5075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGnVOEuntEVe_-oHAwTNr5FZcp7Unm6kjvufbDsEFIKjnrrdlLp4-v3cyEYvEknHabO8LvqKJn1_BdEPHuQXiUXZOqV2AFkQbGYxxdiN3SreJwDHZrk_kpY-vzFEct0DEuZk4Nm-78LD2/s320/IMG_5075.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue of Chuck Berry.</td></tr>
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There was also a statue of Chuck Berry just off the sidewalk, as well as a number of cool coffee places selling great coffee and interesting flavours of tea. The whole area has a cool vibe but is not too crowded, and is definitely worth a visit. Lastly, I picked up a copy of the latest Riverfront Times, a cultural guide to what's hot and what's not in the city, as well as detailed listings. There's a live blues band on in town tomorrow night so may make an effort to get there and see that. For now it's time to settle in with some more TV (once the signal comes back on 'cos of the storm!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrnqZY0Vrm6vTpO9dpAQ23Dk0kxm7ZTHonwVhiWjlShWucoCvhFHrLKC7SLl_LhaLFQodwg5PTMDqsjmu-x941eJ_cK31WzMO-QQshOokoyv7mg_5l7o31wOy55JAnkuRH473h8E60rHo/s1600/IMG_20160511_154834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrnqZY0Vrm6vTpO9dpAQ23Dk0kxm7ZTHonwVhiWjlShWucoCvhFHrLKC7SLl_LhaLFQodwg5PTMDqsjmu-x941eJ_cK31WzMO-QQshOokoyv7mg_5l7o31wOy55JAnkuRH473h8E60rHo/s320/IMG_20160511_154834.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Latest copy of the Riverfront Times - cool cover!</td></tr>
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On a parting note it's struck me that when I wake up tomorrow it will be two days until we're bound for New York. Excitement is definitely starting to build but I'm conscious of the fact I need to make the most of my time left in St. Louis, as I'm not likely to come back here as soon as I am to New York. Chances are I won't even have time to blog in New York, but here's hoping I will try!<br />
<br />jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-64819213599113135062016-05-10T20:04:00.002-07:002016-05-10T20:26:06.688-07:00Fish, crisps and Central West End.Today was something of a mixed day, in the sense that it was enjoyable but nothing really out of the ordinary. When we woke up for breakfast, the weather was very cloudy and the rain was coming down fast. Gone were the shorts of yesterday and out came the long trousers! However fortunately after breakfast the clouds cleared and the rain stopped - not long after we went out the sun came out and it actually became very hot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQK4iixeorxc3-hvgKXVo1hKHVwNVkpRQoCiZSdat5aORsbmNArT9miv0yx5LL2LR9-TL8QTGZZBF9AjNGR7ppppzzOcQadQk81USnk91rIcFpZW9obSmZ0UT_XnW8aucxs1nkYm_zNB0/s1600/IMG_4979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQK4iixeorxc3-hvgKXVo1hKHVwNVkpRQoCiZSdat5aORsbmNArT9miv0yx5LL2LR9-TL8QTGZZBF9AjNGR7ppppzzOcQadQk81USnk91rIcFpZW9obSmZ0UT_XnW8aucxs1nkYm_zNB0/s320/IMG_4979.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown St. Louis.</td></tr>
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To start the day off we headed to the Gateway Transportation Centre, otherwise known as the main railway station, served by Amtrak trains to Kansas etc. and by Greyhound and Megabus to other destinations. Unfortunately, railway station is something of a misnomer. The place feels more like an outdated waiting room with not a train in sight and not even a departures board.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPMftISSdN-NkCGOi8Vy6AceLMESoG-H7K3dDlD8tR_XD5h3nwoThd9eANMVVY_AdhTn_FrpfVEQksBOY1sr6IJATLy8F7tm6gt7B9QT87CW6XKjUr_GuqvQWIhHi6lQ236SFDZNL46EJ/s1600/IMG_4985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPMftISSdN-NkCGOi8Vy6AceLMESoG-H7K3dDlD8tR_XD5h3nwoThd9eANMVVY_AdhTn_FrpfVEQksBOY1sr6IJATLy8F7tm6gt7B9QT87CW6XKjUr_GuqvQWIhHi6lQ236SFDZNL46EJ/s320/IMG_4985.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Self-indulgent picture in downtown St. Louis.</td></tr>
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It certainly can't hold a candle to the wonderful building that is/was Union Station, and I presume that this is the price paid for low cost air travel - still, St. Louis isn't on most tourist trails and therefore probably isn't as well served as other places. Nonetheless, I did pick up an Amtrak leaflet for the 'Adirondack' service between New York and Montreal, which I hope to complete (in full or in part) maybe next year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBS6uvHpdCljs2GKOszRpNk8vYjpM0VmzUebx70lE_-tvB0a9QFHlq_LEVT-Lv3kg7zRknAvAda2JdwTxoTEYOVuvrPsaulrW9R6uQ19q8_S8X4cOooIcTp-OKT83FT4qKlo3xq1Q3yOxf/s1600/IMG_4987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBS6uvHpdCljs2GKOszRpNk8vYjpM0VmzUebx70lE_-tvB0a9QFHlq_LEVT-Lv3kg7zRknAvAda2JdwTxoTEYOVuvrPsaulrW9R6uQ19q8_S8X4cOooIcTp-OKT83FT4qKlo3xq1Q3yOxf/s320/IMG_4987.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Old Courthouse with the Arch in the distance.</td></tr>
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After this brief detour we headed back downtown so my Dad could buy a jacket he'd been hankering after to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arch construction. Whilst he did so I headed upstairs in the courthouse to get the view from the top of the building and to see the old courtrooms previously used. It really is a stunning building, so unassuming on the outside but wondrous in it's myriad of rooms and staircases inside.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFqaK1vKeQnfMhTKcIpqTXLX8ra-dOcQ53LjyjigQtmZ4CTq0dXViuEfv6eo0t9rSZZKbT0oHNC2k8AtR6M4AM5uiMZzONq3Yr-NIY28ziz6ZcAz-JAwdT9NjjpW1RIcCVyVN74QW9qAV/s1600/IMG_4993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFqaK1vKeQnfMhTKcIpqTXLX8ra-dOcQ53LjyjigQtmZ4CTq0dXViuEfv6eo0t9rSZZKbT0oHNC2k8AtR6M4AM5uiMZzONq3Yr-NIY28ziz6ZcAz-JAwdT9NjjpW1RIcCVyVN74QW9qAV/s320/IMG_4993.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glass model of the Old Courthouse.</td></tr>
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Next up we caught the metro train to Central West End, a concentrated area of cafés, restaurants and shops, something which seems curiously missing downtown. I say concentrated, but the wide leafy cafe-strewn avenues are still broken up by long wide boulevards teeming with traffic. What the area sets out to achieve is nice, and towards the latter end it succeeds, but the wide traffic choked highways which break it up make it seem artificial somehow. Still I found an interesting local eco-friendly grocers (with no prices on anything) and an independent bookshop called Leftbank Books stocking a good range of local literature and books on the region.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliTxFViTfw__uvQUXTyPCHFBq81AOpRTJpp8eqtuREK5c4jLSpMqwD3QIVxMph-viFoHCg5Zv0HRvhR4WSmT2061mg3ze3MIDDtDlrYqhsDSxdpoVj6lbE-LxVrYBxl9piZ8pyv2W9wKP/s1600/IMG_4997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliTxFViTfw__uvQUXTyPCHFBq81AOpRTJpp8eqtuREK5c4jLSpMqwD3QIVxMph-viFoHCg5Zv0HRvhR4WSmT2061mg3ze3MIDDtDlrYqhsDSxdpoVj6lbE-LxVrYBxl9piZ8pyv2W9wKP/s320/IMG_4997.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the courtrooms in the historic Old Courthouse.</td></tr>
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We ate in a Welsh bar today which had some excellent beers on draft, however I broke with tradition by having a lovely cider from Urban Chestnut Brewing Company. Also tried a small sample of their pilsner which was utterly delicious and different to those I've tried before. Food was fish and chips which did in fact come with chips (i.e. crisps). Strange but surprisingly tasty.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZuKL3e2UBqhMTILtrCRLUqPj8tZU2nBNDbhqzorOjizSkaF_a5B4IvJe8aJO0jwUWqAHy1SoPl2oZ69cG2UuLhDZpIdiRH5c-sVtteVhGj1EIPMDF_8wkotioXy59PJo_q-nU7ZthCbc/s1600/IMG_5021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZuKL3e2UBqhMTILtrCRLUqPj8tZU2nBNDbhqzorOjizSkaF_a5B4IvJe8aJO0jwUWqAHy1SoPl2oZ69cG2UuLhDZpIdiRH5c-sVtteVhGj1EIPMDF_8wkotioXy59PJo_q-nU7ZthCbc/s320/IMG_5021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree-lined streets in the Central West End.</td></tr>
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The craft beer scene is clearly booming here as everywhere and with such tasty (and unique) brews on draft I just can't see why big corporate breweries making fizzy pig swill such as Anheuser Busch continue to exist. Still, there's no accounting for taste and each to their own I guess, I just prefer a quality taste over carbonated water :).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWM8ckOuHgB8XF2_wVf-n-Km1hqkchcA9MIABsM3WsMOd90weWq8KSd6jrFmj695MouKrIEBeqv1MiJbg0mnlJ68ErCpcLPmUM37ZTlkeT11dRMvYoBoNxJynymnFbZJQtYRuffQds2mgA/s1600/IMG_20160510_152353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWM8ckOuHgB8XF2_wVf-n-Km1hqkchcA9MIABsM3WsMOd90weWq8KSd6jrFmj695MouKrIEBeqv1MiJbg0mnlJ68ErCpcLPmUM37ZTlkeT11dRMvYoBoNxJynymnFbZJQtYRuffQds2mgA/s320/IMG_20160510_152353.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llewellyn's Welsh pub in the Central West End.</td></tr>
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Leaving the West End we decided to head back to the supermarket near our hotel which had grabbed our attention from the bus window. I know to some people this may be a bit weird, but I just love checking out local supermarkets when I'm on holiday - the shelves full of unique and colourful products that are different to those you see in tesco or sainsburys every day is just fascinating.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEYw4b0a5V63nyBOxeJQlm8yj00BrT-_5fL7_bF6TeIFFZpWEmlvuEdBtn2jEPqfyjRBSJqcMZRKyrb8DE6-BgmBcnI8qJbvzNLQQbV3tKVUyeLPBd5vfshNt3DbiGVIY639z9R1VgUdN/s1600/IMG_5034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEYw4b0a5V63nyBOxeJQlm8yj00BrT-_5fL7_bF6TeIFFZpWEmlvuEdBtn2jEPqfyjRBSJqcMZRKyrb8DE6-BgmBcnI8qJbvzNLQQbV3tKVUyeLPBd5vfshNt3DbiGVIY639z9R1VgUdN/s320/IMG_5034.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A selection of local beers from the supermarket </td></tr>
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In the end I came out with seven sachets of different flavoured hot chocolate, a nice warm up meal made fresh on the premises to take home and a 'summer patio pack' of beer bottles from the local Schlafly brewery. Twelve bottles for $12.99 with three of each style: Yakima wheat beer, Raspberry hefeweizen, summer lager and grape fruit IPA. The store also sold bottles of fireball cinnamon whiskey for only $12.99, with miniatures for just over a dollar, although I was more interested in the somewhat pricier (but still good value) local bourbon on display.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTg6Qxktfhqo4wrBR_F2k1Q-4xav3uKYt6YfBZAZV05Y6RQR-TpYZDXgLWiQKIH78jTyblKhLrdOBNkUBgxUJWUEuS-UBa6nsv0fxDe-oHRt9O_BnK70gEBWEV7Lg4TnW782OwSt97J3uP/s1600/IMG_5038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTg6Qxktfhqo4wrBR_F2k1Q-4xav3uKYt6YfBZAZV05Y6RQR-TpYZDXgLWiQKIH78jTyblKhLrdOBNkUBgxUJWUEuS-UBa6nsv0fxDe-oHRt9O_BnK70gEBWEV7Lg4TnW782OwSt97J3uP/s320/IMG_5038.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening time view from the hotel room.</td></tr>
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I got back to the hotel to find I'd gotten email confirmation of the Still630 whiskey distillery tour I've pencilled in for Saturday before our flight. These are a local distillery who's name reflects the height (in feet) of the Gateway Arch previously mentioned. More on that later! Tomorrow it's off to Soulard (said to be like Brooklyn without the crazy prices) and maybe the St. Louis Science Centre. For now it's time to put my feet up and finish watching Back to the Future on CMT (once the commercials end)!jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-38254957642934415182016-05-09T19:33:00.000-07:002016-05-09T19:49:19.585-07:00Beer, baseball and... rainIt's our second day in St. Louis and it dawned cool and cloudy, but by no means cold. We woke slightly earlier than yesterday due to the earlier breakfast time, together with the added excitement of yoghurts to the breakfast mix as well as actually having some waffles. We ventured out of the hotel about half past 10 to begin our second day exploration in earnest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-h3NnqZxQhdEZ07xTVMuyeQcvI4f6KoArIgyIeUZjF46zTPDgJ9NBsz18v9XfFKMat1kfa2c9g_MJmzgpUVvFMLLib1kIwRyFCxiOd3-L-FEkoYhF_siXXke49gDv3LqWtNXh5jwmbZf_/s1600/IMG_4952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-h3NnqZxQhdEZ07xTVMuyeQcvI4f6KoArIgyIeUZjF46zTPDgJ9NBsz18v9XfFKMat1kfa2c9g_MJmzgpUVvFMLLib1kIwRyFCxiOd3-L-FEkoYhF_siXXke49gDv3LqWtNXh5jwmbZf_/s320/IMG_4952.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ballpark village next to the baseball stadium.</td></tr>
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Our first port of call was the Busch Stadium, famous home of the local baseball team The Cardinals, and currently in it's third incarnation. Last time we were here the stadium was a circular Romanesque structure which looked like a Roman coliseum. However, this was flattened in 2006 to make way for the current replacement structure. Like it or not, the current structure looks pretty cool, although I think I preferred the old structure as it was more iconic. Still, things change and you have to roll with the punches!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiL37NxAmKQzJAszvOJdSw57h0kn1u3pm7DIgv_F1qdsKgLu1g6_8oxN2p1JVybCyZnCMQSl9g6YEAC-GW5mwTJPDckh-tFOPt3vlAlS9vsrIaNq6Lyz6UETYVTLR0LZ0tWZKFEsQ_lCD/s1600/IMG_4953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiL37NxAmKQzJAszvOJdSw57h0kn1u3pm7DIgv_F1qdsKgLu1g6_8oxN2p1JVybCyZnCMQSl9g6YEAC-GW5mwTJPDckh-tFOPt3vlAlS9vsrIaNq6Lyz6UETYVTLR0LZ0tWZKFEsQ_lCD/s320/IMG_4953.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Gateway Arch from the Cardinal's home ground.</td></tr>
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After visiting the baseball ground we made our way down south towards Lafayette Square, an elegant district of old Victorian homes and quality independent shops, and centred on a sizeable park. We didn't venture into park due to the rain, but ducked into Park Street Coffee, a local joint selling a good range of coffee, but not before going in a shop called Four Muddy Paws which sold the most amazing dog biscuits with icing that looked good enough for us humans to eat!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8LYlyVTe2cs9UXFYXH233hBqm9Rm-RgASMCCq9HD_l9BMP302iEA_izcq8Orr8TxLjDGGnWIK5KO4kmII8bNXHrJOSzT_aVj7PbjbwStXT-JxKdN27thyphenhyphenAmGAhVXMObSbN2cE0qDbdJp/s1600/IMG_20160509_204318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8LYlyVTe2cs9UXFYXH233hBqm9Rm-RgASMCCq9HD_l9BMP302iEA_izcq8Orr8TxLjDGGnWIK5KO4kmII8bNXHrJOSzT_aVj7PbjbwStXT-JxKdN27thyphenhyphenAmGAhVXMObSbN2cE0qDbdJp/s320/IMG_20160509_204318.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most colourful dog biscuits in the world?</td></tr>
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We then headed into the coffee shop, which stocked a wide range of the locally traditional (and famous) gooey butter cake. I had the key lime variety, a simple twist on the original recipe but utterly delicious with my cappuccino. The cafe also had big (454g) bags of coffee on sale for between $14 and $16 - not bad value when you consider the size and the quality of the coffee. Nonetheless I didn't buy any at this point and we moved on to our next stop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBIfxBPBwUb9iZzk1bjj53Lrks9l6WDFB6NaCp1JESjDHlchvM-I-yozcJJNzX2bFN0cnDlcgvfgFqEmwoBFtDA5MpbrRcDAUukHhYtZp8E0axosQ0rn4IEXKIVqy0EYZjXOpk60tqqXC/s1600/IMG_20160509_142959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBIfxBPBwUb9iZzk1bjj53Lrks9l6WDFB6NaCp1JESjDHlchvM-I-yozcJJNzX2bFN0cnDlcgvfgFqEmwoBFtDA5MpbrRcDAUukHhYtZp8E0axosQ0rn4IEXKIVqy0EYZjXOpk60tqqXC/s320/IMG_20160509_142959.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional gooey butter cake at Park Avenue Coffee - a local delicacy.</td></tr>
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This was a store called Looking Glass Designs run by a local woman who must have been approaching 70. She spent around half an hour just chatting to us about the city, our travels and what to see and eat in the city. This seems to be a habit of people here but it's nice and I ended up buying a lovely pair of owl earrings as a present before moving on. The lady wrapped them up so nicely and even gave us a nice jewellery roll made of cloth to keep them nice for travelling.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcl5_X0Q4KTDk2iNANKZyGt-iasNdBQlIA_M5YhM4Twn2OHvY5aWDScZT4h5gEa4SD9OQJ49GduHa2HwYPIsz77I0aZC2OcilE35jIzGbpuDFy5NhH7BU1AWIuB-NoWTX06n0EqEQ9Ki20/s1600/IMG_4960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcl5_X0Q4KTDk2iNANKZyGt-iasNdBQlIA_M5YhM4Twn2OHvY5aWDScZT4h5gEa4SD9OQJ49GduHa2HwYPIsz77I0aZC2OcilE35jIzGbpuDFy5NhH7BU1AWIuB-NoWTX06n0EqEQ9Ki20/s320/IMG_4960.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional Street sign in Lafayette Square.</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">By this point we were getting hungry so went into Square One Brewery and Distillery, a restaurant and bar that brews it's own beer and distils it's own whiskey, rum etc. You'd be forgiven for thinking the place might be overstretching itself with all that going on but it manages to be great at all three of them. I had a sample rack of four beers; Park Avenue Pale Ale, Single Malt Scotch Ale, In Hawaii and a truly delicious Maple Stout infused with maple syrup from Vermont as the name suggests.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqlh1rMJ1zmU9zW7KiPzU0TolvEDJmbFt0A3k5ajOoqKKhcrdspX1xdnCWB3Y3kh0RiMpWbUltYFihQ7zEkvZm5bNktQ8LL1e9LEHmTXHEEcu6YiLaAxv-4XzLSV45ptpND4-rNzpiWrG/s1600/IMG_4966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqlh1rMJ1zmU9zW7KiPzU0TolvEDJmbFt0A3k5ajOoqKKhcrdspX1xdnCWB3Y3kh0RiMpWbUltYFihQ7zEkvZm5bNktQ8LL1e9LEHmTXHEEcu6YiLaAxv-4XzLSV45ptpND4-rNzpiWrG/s320/IMG_4966.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious local beers from Square one brewery and distillery.</td></tr>
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All the beers were delicious and it was great to see all the different colours lined up on the tray together. To accompany the beer I ate a Stout-braised pot roast served with mashed potato and green beans. To end my stay here I had a look around and saw both the mash tun where the whiskey is distilled and the barrels where the whiskey is kept through a glass section in the floor. To end the visit I bought one of the small glasses and a neat looking old style whiskey glass.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9Avn_CDRtpC0OX8kt1sY1dWcO2-jFBWstr8VqsCJC8bDu8kDF0kyE_02PEW6HefZtt3wYMwpL2Enb7ktvW-5l4HumGP8dL-9tfKVB6oCkm5mbwNnTYAT25SqywyV6q1UZQ5sKUH2XKQK/s1600/IMG_20160509_164525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9Avn_CDRtpC0OX8kt1sY1dWcO2-jFBWstr8VqsCJC8bDu8kDF0kyE_02PEW6HefZtt3wYMwpL2Enb7ktvW-5l4HumGP8dL-9tfKVB6oCkm5mbwNnTYAT25SqywyV6q1UZQ5sKUH2XKQK/s320/IMG_20160509_164525.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local brews on sale in the Field Foods supermarket.</td></tr>
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Last stop for the day was a local supermarket called Field Foods specialising in local produce and products. I bought some Salted Caramel coffee (!) and spent a while perusing the craft beer section although I noticed many of them were quite expensive, ($7 and up), so I didn't buy any at this stage. I was pleased to spot 6 packs from the local independent Schlafly brewery though, with some very interesting flavours and for only $9. I'm planning to visit the Schlafly bottleworks and tap before I leave town so with luck I'll be able try some of their brews too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wpFEWvrVh06TufzKITyQqjnRmdhUmkcHA1SqMUsmUTP-2x-zW1yZsTK9VjYeyC83dP2qX53bMRu4Po3HVOEyCJ4DTW2GBS-5dzNwAvk_1d4Z0TFTW4dtkYO0j9zAE2-XPf6EuRHZK6oR/s1600/IMG_4972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wpFEWvrVh06TufzKITyQqjnRmdhUmkcHA1SqMUsmUTP-2x-zW1yZsTK9VjYeyC83dP2qX53bMRu4Po3HVOEyCJ4DTW2GBS-5dzNwAvk_1d4Z0TFTW4dtkYO0j9zAE2-XPf6EuRHZK6oR/s320/IMG_4972.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local supermarket specialising in local products.</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Now it's time to sit back and enjoy some quintessentially American television! Until tomorrow.</span><br />
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jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-55025715108565918242016-05-08T21:07:00.000-07:002016-05-08T21:08:00.684-07:00Gateway to the WestToday was our first full day in St. Louis, Missouri after a mammoth 22 hours on the go yesterday including a flight from Manchester to JFK, a transfer from JFK to Newark and then onwards to St. Louis with a pickup in Chicago. We had the pick of plane seats on the first leg, but after Chicago the flight was full. It's such a short flight from St. Louis to Chicago that I barely had time to drink my coffee! Fortunately the flight was generally smooth and we arrived at our hotel just after 10pm. We had a gas station supper due to the late hour (read: chicken burger and poptarts) from the gas station next to the hotel, following which I crashed into bed and was asleep in what felt like milliseconds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmb2-jfNpi_3BKddMVA43flEYqF1EG-EljDKHmKOY2uzJ4_qHMNfDgTMERoX5FDs3sDQ4olwpYgAfbwrjVDFTQGLkYOyOMAneUaZ0CcqwsYUV5AbQP4teuj59_KlF_Dy6T3prCcWcOBCT/s1600/IMG_4864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmb2-jfNpi_3BKddMVA43flEYqF1EG-EljDKHmKOY2uzJ4_qHMNfDgTMERoX5FDs3sDQ4olwpYgAfbwrjVDFTQGLkYOyOMAneUaZ0CcqwsYUV5AbQP4teuj59_KlF_Dy6T3prCcWcOBCT/s320/IMG_4864.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the garden from our hotel room.</td></tr>
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We woke the next morning to have breakfast in the hotel which was pretty decent (I got fairly excited by the waffle iron) and then decided to head downtown to see some old haunts. First up was Union Station, a former railway station turned shopping mall, which unfortunately has now closed for renovations and will be 'opening soon'. Nonetheless I had a pleasant time feeding the fish in the pond outside for 25c from a vending machine. I also discovered out the back of the 'station' some US railroad wagons which my Dad said he'd seen in 1999 when he first came here, but definitely didn't show me when he brought us here in '02.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkre06hwFsPwj2TqfC8O6h8kDN6INtSJ9YzwPL5B3HgwICQNMp8SyIKreJXaORyCtCE_2uLK1hmwANUhfi0lbF1ggfe-lkQlADIqcOk3U3ycrNM7c_0iyuVcCscDY6JOXQ_FIp1VJmqQMz/s1600/IMG_4898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkre06hwFsPwj2TqfC8O6h8kDN6INtSJ9YzwPL5B3HgwICQNMp8SyIKreJXaORyCtCE_2uLK1hmwANUhfi0lbF1ggfe-lkQlADIqcOk3U3ycrNM7c_0iyuVcCscDY6JOXQ_FIp1VJmqQMz/s320/IMG_4898.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restaurant outside Union Station.</td></tr>
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Next up we got back on the metro from Union Station to 8th and Pine which is the stop for the Gateway Arch, a humongous 630ft steel arch erected in honour of Jefferson's role in the westward expansion of the US in the 19th century. It's as wide as it is tall and dominates the skyline over the river Mississippi. It is a beautiful thing to behold and never fails to take my breath away.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYu_JZoja6aI0H7ZmwZihz73uXo2gyXG7A0aiSjhpIBuf-w51J0knyjtFL6wldtgesnLTUM-rmpbgUHghheSR_v1vx73ow3ZeSLVTNy1AJYC36JfQBIesDMVvVXEFsVPAgIdfwh6p_oFhy/s1600/IMG_4881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYu_JZoja6aI0H7ZmwZihz73uXo2gyXG7A0aiSjhpIBuf-w51J0knyjtFL6wldtgesnLTUM-rmpbgUHghheSR_v1vx73ow3ZeSLVTNy1AJYC36JfQBIesDMVvVXEFsVPAgIdfwh6p_oFhy/s320/IMG_4881.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First sighting of the arch from Union Station, downtown.</td></tr>
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Unfortunately there are building works going on around the base of the arch at the moment, so it is less than scenic on the ground. Still, it should look great when finished and with most eyes faced skyward it doesn't matter too much. You can still go up it, but the underground museum where you enter the cars which take you to the top is temporarily placed in the Old Courthouse, which you now pass through on the way to the arch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuk7nW4fW9ZdFoFpw8-gaoaQg0SBp6nFhvAw92Wym0VoXSdWNEV9b7-gtU1J2aAsX_W6xSWB7eUqjemBCA7TREvXBJshlR6WuvN5ksCVZrL7HH80t8qFqgyITgTxoHIRJrdVuGqjshSNhc/s1600/IMG_4924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuk7nW4fW9ZdFoFpw8-gaoaQg0SBp6nFhvAw92Wym0VoXSdWNEV9b7-gtU1J2aAsX_W6xSWB7eUqjemBCA7TREvXBJshlR6WuvN5ksCVZrL7HH80t8qFqgyITgTxoHIRJrdVuGqjshSNhc/s320/IMG_4924.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Old Courthouse.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Old Courthouse was as such our first port of call, and is an amazing building in itself. The building is (or was) as the name suggests and, and is dominated in the middle by a tall dome with ornate columns on the balustrades of the second and third floors overlooking the rest of the building. It's possible to climb up to these and the sensation is quite thrilling and dizzying. It really is a beautiful building and I plan to return before the end of the trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaN8HxgT3EsXAr_FgMKYn7Pw15qKcvTsR8wMBjIx-8gszKrfP7WFaq3TxWgnHguVennCFUrEAviNJs1e2ie9nvDc6YwfEaOK-I2IsgQazZbJ3gvn85bbdRsjEkyXeSQk1xutEV-0W9OEwW/s1600/IMG_4926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaN8HxgT3EsXAr_FgMKYn7Pw15qKcvTsR8wMBjIx-8gszKrfP7WFaq3TxWgnHguVennCFUrEAviNJs1e2ie9nvDc6YwfEaOK-I2IsgQazZbJ3gvn85bbdRsjEkyXeSQk1xutEV-0W9OEwW/s320/IMG_4926.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On approach to the Gateway Arch.</td></tr>
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The gift shop had a great range of books, models of the arch, DVDs and other things and didn't seem to suffer from the same fate as others being full of nothing but tatty tourist junk - even the t-shirts were nice! I bought a nice metallic bookmark of the arch and a reprinted newspaper print detailing the completion of the arch in 1965 - amazingly, it celebrated it's 50th anniversary last year. I also got some saltwater taffy!! Fruit flavoured candies at 10c a pop which are just delicious. As with many things about the US I heard about these from an episode of Friends - don't judge me too much!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTi3_2w_EZVvEvLbB0_XVoLqfKNtBSuaKSG7JB9hDTN0Rx3PA0nbO68iihgz_ICziLSK1aikp8eJ-LUTlSeUdRNWQmOKE_4GPF7I_C2mR9hq2D3Nia1GVPyuDGV1v_rM4G7YDUOfuk1Wt/s1600/IMG_4934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTi3_2w_EZVvEvLbB0_XVoLqfKNtBSuaKSG7JB9hDTN0Rx3PA0nbO68iihgz_ICziLSK1aikp8eJ-LUTlSeUdRNWQmOKE_4GPF7I_C2mR9hq2D3Nia1GVPyuDGV1v_rM4G7YDUOfuk1Wt/s320/IMG_4934.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the steel legs of the Gateway Arch.</td></tr>
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OK enough about the arch. We were trying to take today steady so as not to overdo it after our long day yesterday. We headed over to Laclede's landing, one of the more historic cobbled districts of St. Louis. It's very compact and has lost a lot of the antique shops it once had. Still, it's narrow tree lined streets make a nice change from the more built up parts of St. Louis. We had food at the Morgan Street brewery, complete and with a pint of locally brewed black lager (delicious) and, in my case at least, a blue cheese burger with bacon and fried mash balls - hey, it's our first day in America!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fNWbFHCv6hJZWo0-qn-eu2DSHLWwG1a0X2Yb82cTOWOmueglW_eojrlWWN7j4kHylOPZhtydIS68Va74iv8WU5SqtmNoigYjSx2iwqEdJXJX2UVl7taYhBesIN8L7GbuR58Pj8Jveu27/s1600/IMG_4940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fNWbFHCv6hJZWo0-qn-eu2DSHLWwG1a0X2Yb82cTOWOmueglW_eojrlWWN7j4kHylOPZhtydIS68Va74iv8WU5SqtmNoigYjSx2iwqEdJXJX2UVl7taYhBesIN8L7GbuR58Pj8Jveu27/s320/IMG_4940.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the cobbled streets in Laclede's landing.</td></tr>
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Afterward we headed back to the hotel which took a while as we just missed a connecting bus from the transport interchange at North Hanley station. On the metro train back we bumped into a woman who had been chatting to us with her friends on the train into town for a baseball game - The Cardinals lost. Little did we expect that on the train back we would be engulfed by the returning fans! The games are really well attended, and seem very popular with older residents even more than the young! They were a cheerful crowd though and didn't seem to be like hooligans at all, unlike many football fans in the UK. Time for bed now, as today suddenly feels longer than it has been. Here's to another day of exploration tomorrow!<br />
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jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-16249455678268181462016-04-23T08:09:00.002-07:002016-04-23T08:13:30.971-07:00Two weeks to go<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUVJ_rpStHhpnMhmH5tpiBzUHBs_xoQSuzA2OtClCAeu_Be3SQOsU7ZozlptyLCGb9K0JV3TjGLJ2dPxZ4pmL_JZ1aExpSbY2iw0suNHH29Jzc32VBcprgi2RriT5fAy8DEotwLAb7orW/s1600/_20160423_155518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUVJ_rpStHhpnMhmH5tpiBzUHBs_xoQSuzA2OtClCAeu_Be3SQOsU7ZozlptyLCGb9K0JV3TjGLJ2dPxZ4pmL_JZ1aExpSbY2iw0suNHH29Jzc32VBcprgi2RriT5fAy8DEotwLAb7orW/s320/_20160423_155518.JPG" width="232" /></a></div>
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I'm now two weeks away from my trip to New York and the USA and the reality of it all is now very much dawning on me. I keep wandering around in a state of shock, unable to believe that I'm actually going and it's only round the corner. I finally bought some dollars this week as the exchange rate hit $1.44 and that made it seem even more real. I still have more to get but that doesn't change the fact that this is a huge deal for me.<br />
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I know transatlantic travel is easier (and cheaper) now and more people than ever are travelling around the world on a regular basis seeking fortune and, in my case, adventure. For me however, this still isn't something I do regularly or am able to as this trip has cost me about a month's wages (not including spending money). I could potentially have done the trip a little cheaper but the US isn't cheap and I'm not going all that way to share a small hostel room with several other people (at least not on my first time out there for 14 years!).<br />
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I don't know too many people who can just decide they're going to America and actually do it - families, mortgages to pay for and children all cost money. All of which reminds me I'm simply not ready for that (and maybe never will be!) I'd much rather spend my hard earned cash at this stage on an exciting adventure such as this one. My living costs are lower than many other people's I know but it still isn't an easy trip to make with all the planning involved and getting time off work.<br />
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Anyway enough waffling. I've got my sights so far set on visiting the 9/11 memorial museum, Ellis Island and the New York Transit Museum, as well as seeing the street with the Friend's apartment building on it, just to convince myself it really does exist!! Let's not forget of course that New York will come second, and I'm staying in Brooklyn first, not Manhattan (kind of a mistake on my part, maybe?).<br />
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Also, the first stop before New York is St. Louis, for fun and relaxation, but I'm expecting New York to be the big hitter, where I cram in so much and still only scrape the surface. I can already see myself leaving the city wanting more, and will hopefully return the following year during my *gasp* 30th year<span style="text-align: center;">. Possibly not in May, like this year, but maybe in September - the other time when the city shouldn't be too hot! Here's hoping the next few weeks pass with relative speed...</span><br />
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Over and out.jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-70000214795902651802016-04-16T02:49:00.000-07:002016-04-16T03:07:53.673-07:00The countdown begins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKrdi2WZjrI9j1I-Wncnb-E1R6VObUhgq5J7nJ8f-NhlHsC7zngCFFZ7dOos50dW3yb8UHp9b3LHOu8sZUbLpz_cpnPQlk7d5V5kfj9Hi1gpqwrRUEknoZcUbq4kv3Sjzrw530in5dmcl/s1600/IMG_20160404_142928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKrdi2WZjrI9j1I-Wncnb-E1R6VObUhgq5J7nJ8f-NhlHsC7zngCFFZ7dOos50dW3yb8UHp9b3LHOu8sZUbLpz_cpnPQlk7d5V5kfj9Hi1gpqwrRUEknoZcUbq4kv3Sjzrw530in5dmcl/s320/IMG_20160404_142928.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I know it's not usual to do a blog BEFORE you actually do a big trip, but in this case I just couldn't help myself. I'm three weeks away from a two week adventure to the USA, and I'm both nervous and excited. Nervous, as I haven't done a long haul flight in 14 years (!) and excited as this is easily the biggest trip I've done since I spent a month in Poland and Ukraine during the summer of 2008. In fact, it's the longest holiday I'll have had since both graduating in November 2012 and starting work in the summer of 2013. So you can imagine I'm very ready for this break.<br />
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The plan is to spend a week in both St. Louis and New York, which will be broken down into stays in both Manhattan and Brooklyn (getting my hipster on). It'll be my second time in St. Louis and my first time in New York.<br />
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The difference between this time and the last time in St. Louis is that I will be 29 and not 15. Which basically means I can enjoy a few bars, experience the cultural sights and generally get more out of it than I would have done as a somewhat moody, grumpy teenager (I still have the photos as evidence!).<br />
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I have done a fair bit of travelling over the last 10 years or so, principally during university holidays but also outside work where possible. However, this has mainly been in Europe and I think I'm now ready to take it to the next level! Certainly feel like I've earned it after all my years of hard work ;).<br />
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Those who know me know I can't survive without at least two trips outside the UK a year, even if one of them is just to Dublin or Italy! Plans are already afoot for a post-USA trip to Slovenia. Anyway, I digress..<br />
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As for New York, well I'm basically going to be like a kid in a sweet shop, candy store, toy shop and Santa's Grotto all rolled into one. Forget being 29, I'm going to be like Kevin McAllister on his own in the big city, except with my Dad in tow and a few more dollars to my name and the opportunity to pick up a taxi whenever I want, as well as a few beers if I want it!<br />
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I already sense that St. Louis will be the quieter part of the holiday as I settle into the feeling of being free from work (which I imagine won't take long). The plan there is to see a few of the sights I saw last time round with a keener eye, relax by the pool, see some blues/jazz and generally have a laid back holiday. Then comes the big hitter!<br />
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New York will be all about blitzing the sights, filling myself up with coffee and gorgeous street food and generally getting my cool vibe on (if I even have one). I'll be spending my time in bookstores and museums, riding the subway and stomping around on foot. Might even get in on a bike ride in Central Park if I'm lucky? Anyway before I get too carried away I'll leave it there. No doubt you can tell I'm excited!! Here's to the next three weeks of normality and general <span style="text-align: center;">servitude...</span>jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-62993844168715372015-03-05T12:56:00.000-08:002015-03-22T08:07:28.077-07:00Days 5-6: Fort William/Mallaig - 4-5 March 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As there was no train connection from Inverness to Fort William, we had to take a coach down the highly scenic but winding A82, leaving both of us feeling a bit the worse for wear after a bout of travel sickness on the way down. We took a taxi with all our bags to the accommodation, which sadly was not up to par and so we spent around an hour trying to find somewhere else to stay. Luckily, we managed to find a vacancy for two nights in a lovely guesthouse with twin room and breakfast (plus bath) for a fairly reasonable fee given the last minute nature of the request.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjOebzFr7KvpfhIz872v5JfMo8ynW-HxblQCikV5592LZgxpg-9mcn4O6uS5KhONVHQnlaDVY-eRXpp2UXQKBWLjVITHTKW8eQUUmK196whZ7xaaXKiPzC85FKzOi5-SKqER9AQrg3jzc/s1600/bIMG_3563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjOebzFr7KvpfhIz872v5JfMo8ynW-HxblQCikV5592LZgxpg-9mcn4O6uS5KhONVHQnlaDVY-eRXpp2UXQKBWLjVITHTKW8eQUUmK196whZ7xaaXKiPzC85FKzOi5-SKqER9AQrg3jzc/s1600/bIMG_3563.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park in the centre of Fort William with Glen Nevis behind.</td></tr>
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Prior to moving our bags across to the new place, we had a drink in the Corpach Hotel (in the village where we were staying), which was run by an elderly couple in their late 70's/early 80's. The place was dreadfully dated, being very much stuck in the 1940's in terms of decor and furnishings, and really looked like nothing had changed since then - the dining rooms and bedrooms which the owner showed us were set up exactly as they might have been then, and seemed to have been expecting guests for many years.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVwKQ33lEN8OXnhm1L8HWv-BDx8xlw4akbEoIHXENmgT9yHSBup5SeDFnZKcxgPmI9zs-Hr18QfHXcJxZdhJACBVzLG4Z3fQA4YLw0dtINf9kBfQKBQs-t9JzhdNQbsUFHMPcYKaO7wmI/s1600/bIMG_3565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVwKQ33lEN8OXnhm1L8HWv-BDx8xlw4akbEoIHXENmgT9yHSBup5SeDFnZKcxgPmI9zs-Hr18QfHXcJxZdhJACBVzLG4Z3fQA4YLw0dtINf9kBfQKBQs-t9JzhdNQbsUFHMPcYKaO7wmI/s1600/bIMG_3565.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Nevis Mountainsport centre.</td></tr>
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Despite this, the coal fire in the drinking area was very welcome, and there was something genuinely touching about the couple who ran it's determination to keep going and the community spirit present as they sat there discussing things with a neighbour and the dog at their feet in front of the fire. One could easily have imagined oneself as having gone back in time, and there was definitely a lingering feeling of faded glory of another time about the place. Local workmen were reportedly in residence, with a cook on hand of 25 years employment to make homecooked dishes for them at the end of a days work - I left feeling strangely sad but contented for the experience of having witnessed this.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0SGmM1MnhjlHQKNPKDMPEVT_1ILCXlIDRMoITfWo0Za0tthcFXl3NCdjiHwroYhTG_T6XCoKzbxnKj02ApovZaN8KEKbniqSvlMRpXJoyFzUSPbZScEdTVGemt4mfx70bmgnbmjE1XiB/s1600/fwm-mal-fwm+130+miles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0SGmM1MnhjlHQKNPKDMPEVT_1ILCXlIDRMoITfWo0Za0tthcFXl3NCdjiHwroYhTG_T6XCoKzbxnKj02ApovZaN8KEKbniqSvlMRpXJoyFzUSPbZScEdTVGemt4mfx70bmgnbmjE1XiB/s1600/fwm-mal-fwm+130+miles.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map of the route to Mallaig</td></tr>
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The next morning we had a nice breakfast before heading into town for a brief meander along the high street and it's few shops before taking the train to Mallaig, known more popularly as the West Highland Railway and for being the most scenic railway journey in Britain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBODm_z-nwjtBtBuuIB_6h_Kc7GXX6kSHQUR4jX_BLR7VldD0541xclUICncWrgezle5hDb3AIj4YTng9l7PAedqbuBR2aGkLPfhVvjodClseoTcb89nJmdJvu9Jm6u2nvJd59H62NjMLB/s1600/bIMG_3582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBODm_z-nwjtBtBuuIB_6h_Kc7GXX6kSHQUR4jX_BLR7VldD0541xclUICncWrgezle5hDb3AIj4YTng9l7PAedqbuBR2aGkLPfhVvjodClseoTcb89nJmdJvu9Jm6u2nvJd59H62NjMLB/s1600/bIMG_3582.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glenfinnan Station, home to the famous viaduct featured in the Harry Potter films.</td></tr>
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Sadly, the mist and rain of the day meant many views were obscured to say the least, although it was possible to get a feel for how the route would be in summer, with spectacularly high narrow waterfalls cascading down into the valley from the mountainous peaks above. It was with some amusement that I listened to the formal announcement by the train guard for us 'ladies and gentlemen' to please take out our cameras for the famous Glenfinnan viaduct, which would not yield any spectacular pictures today. I settled for buying a postcard at the end of the line, with a mental note to come back later in the year when the weather improves!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieugOylMwNDW1ksMYP45HKRf03RzKwE0IuHXTs-WVWay0olZPjxPLJASSAOwAc51BqBRAmWFruqvRvzEy69n9R1nEYdCiXIt7XtgxZts0N7QdR3VRafRZvT2Jeu9QchXjdG1FFn0vEUl8d/s1600/bIMG_3602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieugOylMwNDW1ksMYP45HKRf03RzKwE0IuHXTs-WVWay0olZPjxPLJASSAOwAc51BqBRAmWFruqvRvzEy69n9R1nEYdCiXIt7XtgxZts0N7QdR3VRafRZvT2Jeu9QchXjdG1FFn0vEUl8d/s1600/bIMG_3602.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Mallaig Harbour area.</td></tr>
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Our end destination was Mallaig, one road in, one road out, and the last area of settlement before ferries across to Skye and the Hebrides etc. This really is as remote as it gets here in this part of Western Scotland. Mallaig itself was wet and windy, consisting of little more than a harbour, a pub, several coffee shops, a restaurant and a couple of gift and bookstores.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Couple of postcards as a memento of my journey.</td></tr>
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Still, it had everything needed by the weary traveller (since most people are just passing through to or from the islands). We ate in a licensed restaurant, enjoying a delightful Cullen Skink (delicious fish soup with salmon, cod, vegetables and crusty bread) as well as a thoroughly non-Scottish beef bourguignon with dumplings, which was simply delicious. Mum had a glass of wine, while I had a cheeky but highly affordable (at £2) dram of whisky, served properly with ice and water as you would expect in these parts.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain pass view from the train to Glasgow</td></tr>
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After eating we perused the few gift shops (me buying a CD celebrating artists from a local Highland music festival and some Scottish tablet) and Mum getting a little colourful dog teddy with Mum on it as an early mother's day present. We then headed back to wait in the train station for the 16.05 back to Fort William, which had not moved since we arrived - always an interesting aspect of train journeys in rural places, and very different to the hustle and bustle of train stations in England I visit on a regular basis!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highland dog on a windy station in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs national park.</td></tr>
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Sadly tomorrow we head back down to Edinburgh via Glasgow and home on Saturday, but I feel this has generally been a very successful trip in which I have experienced more Scottish cultural life and activities than previously (particularly the Whisky tastings). I now need to return again at some point with a view to taking some whisky distillery tours and doing more active things like walking and cycling and getting out to the Islands. As a rest and relaxation holiday though, I couldn't wish for more, and will certainly be back sooner next time (certainly in less than 3 years!). Alba gu braith (Scotland forever)!<br />
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P.s. Good to see Celtic lose to St Johnstone after Aberdeen's 4-0 drubbing at the weekend ;)<br />
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<br />jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-5672103116854586412015-03-05T12:26:00.000-08:002015-03-08T05:29:25.693-07:00Days 3-4: Inverness - 2-3 March 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPftZwpqOtmJwPGaNajBRUjECQ9Fc5m779EnOn4S2i48QZ58IxkV3H0FNCuStO1icfGh1vnp-HtMEMRO9exmuHWHIJv3CtI1pgpEO-Y1qzbAXGVB_TU35tAQyCCePJUxYDklSaMDi51CB/s1600/abd-inv+110+miles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPftZwpqOtmJwPGaNajBRUjECQ9Fc5m779EnOn4S2i48QZ58IxkV3H0FNCuStO1icfGh1vnp-HtMEMRO9exmuHWHIJv3CtI1pgpEO-Y1qzbAXGVB_TU35tAQyCCePJUxYDklSaMDi51CB/s1600/abd-inv+110+miles.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was as we were travelling by train to Inverness that I began to feel really excited and as if I was really on holiday, as it was almost three years since I had last been up this way (hard to believe), when I had taken a trip with some classmates from uni. For me Inverness was the place furthest north I would visit on this trip, and the last bastion of 'commercial' life before the Highlands proper to the north and west, and home to the legendary Ross County football club (based in Dingwall) - possibly the subject of many a joke by the locals.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjBfyjoAHpZVJ2lACQgHdECwMDBWdnH2HTZ3LTC4NGMbBE19d6paoZoQCLaKiJZkZqgaIKu3lmENb3SnO5P7_uhOSNkFAX34l69yRE2z_L4DyW-ZuApkjyifGCzxj2BMddRuoWHznigWB/s1600/bIMG_3542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjBfyjoAHpZVJ2lACQgHdECwMDBWdnH2HTZ3LTC4NGMbBE19d6paoZoQCLaKiJZkZqgaIKu3lmENb3SnO5P7_uhOSNkFAX34l69yRE2z_L4DyW-ZuApkjyifGCzxj2BMddRuoWHznigWB/s1600/bIMG_3542.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cosy living area in Bazpackers Hostel.</td></tr>
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We were to stay in Bazpackers Hostel in Inverness, which although strangely named is actually very cosy and welcoming, based in a Georgian townhouse with roaring coal fire, cosy conservatory and excellent views over the river and castle from our twin room upstairs. We arrived to very sunny and mild conditions, so while Mum had a rest I went out for a wander and to do a few shops, returning with some whisky-flavoured fudge from Orkney and two bottles of beer from a local Scottish brewery in the Cairngorm mountains. By the time I returned to our accommodation the weather had changed completely and it had begun to snow!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scottish Saltire flag on Inverness castle</td></tr>
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We ate that night in the Castle Tavern restaurant right next to the hostel, where I thoroughly enjoyed neeps 'n tatties (potatoes and swede) topped with haggis in a whisky cream sauce. I also had a cheeky dram of whisky, chosen from the very useful whisky menu and served in a proper dram with ice and water - highly enjoyable. It was definitely my mission to take home a bottle of real Scottish single malt before I went home.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the room</td></tr>
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By the time we got up the next day the snow had really started to come down and settled, making for some excellent photos. We walked (or rather slipped) into town for some lunch and proper shopping where I bought a real Scottish tartan scarf from a local mill and a Scots dictionary to impress my friends on my next visit! We had decided to eat in our lodgings this night and spend some quiet time in the cosy living areas of the hostel (rightly voted Inverness's best) before getting ready for our coach to Fort William the next day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqS9J66m694RfcDP-VQdJiEzqCtwx8HBHJOOCQFxNLUn1qlbSpDNYnyzEHhW9fQheo21HFysvIG1ZgktOFPYHcodIc6x3hMImh8W2QHbpgaFYrzsk2S1hukNC4w0QARmgxrjfRTIpyA5ZO/s1600/bIMG_3520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqS9J66m694RfcDP-VQdJiEzqCtwx8HBHJOOCQFxNLUn1qlbSpDNYnyzEHhW9fQheo21HFysvIG1ZgktOFPYHcodIc6x3hMImh8W2QHbpgaFYrzsk2S1hukNC4w0QARmgxrjfRTIpyA5ZO/s1600/bIMG_3520.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inverness High Street</td></tr>
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Link to days 5-6: <a href="http://travellingcyclist2k.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/days-5-6-fort-williammallaig-4-5-march.html">http://travellingcyclist2k.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/days-5-6-fort-williammallaig-4-5-march.html</a>jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-13340501043300706652015-03-05T12:07:00.000-08:002015-03-08T05:26:57.016-07:00Days 1-2: Aberdeen, Scotland - 28 February-1 March<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As it had been a while since I last visited the 'real' Scotland, as I call it, and I had had a desire for some time to revisit some of my old favourite haunts from when I studied in Aberdeen from 2011-12, I decided to take a week off work to have time out and some quiet time in northern Scotland. My first port of call would be Aberdeen for old time's sake and to catch up with friends, followed by a 2 day sojourn in Inverness, then a couple of days in Fort William before returning back home via Edinburgh, where we would spend the final night before heading back 'south' to England.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up view of Marischal College in Aberdeen.</td></tr>
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I had decided to invite my Mum along, as I had shown Dad most of the places we were going before, but had never ventured beyond Aberdeen with my Mum. We arrived in Aberdeen to windy and rainy, but otherwise mild, conditions. We were to stay in the Ibis on Shiprow, not the most cultural choice, but well located, clean and friendly. As we didn't arrive until 4pm, having stopped for lunch in Edinburgh, we got a few goodies/supplies from Sainsburys and ate dinner in the hotel restaurant before settling in for the night.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lemon Tree cultural and arts centre in Aberdeen.</td></tr>
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The following day we did a spot of shopping on Union street following a better than expected hotel breakfast and took a pleasant walk via the soon to be obscured Marischal College. This building unfortunately is soon to be the sight of a new commercial development comprising hotels, shops and eating facilities, and is largely against the wishes of Aberdeen residents, who would prefer a civic space, and it has to be said that the building is well suited to such a development.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Castle Gate in Aberdeen.</td></tr>
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As it was Sunday not much seemed to be happening in Aberdeen, and we didn't really have time to go to Old Aberdeen or the beach. Still, I had a very pleasant catchup with some badminton buddies at our old haunt The Bobbin in the evening, where we failed heroically at the pub quiz as The Three Racketeers - scoring 1/10 in the last round after one of our number deserted us. Still we didn't hang around too long afterwards before I headed back to pack for our train to Inverness the following morning, and my friend to study (probably) ;).<br />
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Link to days 3-4: <a href="http://travellingcyclist2k.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/days-3-4-inverness-2-3-march-2015.html">http://travellingcyclist2k.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/days-3-4-inverness-2-3-march-2015.html</a>jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-6140485974824938782014-08-24T11:42:00.000-07:002014-08-24T11:42:11.042-07:00Day 1 - Arrival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm sitting in my tent on the first night of my camping adventure. Fortunately, it's not too cold -I think about 10 or 11 degrees Celsius, maybe 12. It feels toasty warm in my tent anyway. I've had a very pleasant day. I made my way here after 4 O'clock, with a suitcase and bicycle in tow (crazy I know, but how else was I going to carry all my stuff?) This would by my heavy(ish) mountain bike to boot. Still, I figured when I got here and set up, I won't have to lug anything about for a few days, or so I hoped. The weather's not looking too bad, at least until Sunday night when the heavens are due to open.<br />
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It took around 15-20 minutes to get my tent up - not long at all really, but it took around an hour to get everything set up properly and stored away inside. First task was to get a cup of tea, as I was pretty thirsty after lugging my suitcase up the hill to where I would pitch my tent. Luckily, the wind wasn't so fast that it blew out the gas on my stove, so I had a cup of tea ready within 5 minutes, which I drank whilst savouring the view over the Edale valley.<br />
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After this, my first priority was getting some food, as my belly was starting to rumble. I headed down to the Old Nags Head inn, the oldest pub in the village (there's only 2), and dating back to 1577. The front room was open inside, which is not always, but is a rare treat when it is. Open plan and reaching up to the full height of the building, it feels all of it's almost 500 years. Incredibly, the inn now has a carvery, which is very welcoming as an opening night meal, as I couldn't be bothered to cook and there is limited choice in the village shop anyway (which was closed, since I got there after 5pm). The carvery complements the made to order dishes of yore, which are OK, but not as good value. Although still available, any hungry sailor (or cyclist, hiker, whatever) worth his salt would be hard pressed to resist this fine selection of foods, of which i had plenty, washed down by a pleasant local(ish) cider on draught. It was easy, sitting there in the old room with my food and drink, to imagine I was in one of the many fantasy novels I've read set in such medieval places, and I felt quite content at the notion of being in such surroundings.<br />
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After this, I walked the food off before heading back for another pint of cider, before returning tentward to contemplate tomorrow's agenda. Most likely I'll be cycling, but this depends what I feel like in the morning. Now it's time to go to sleep listening to the sound of wood fires crackling and sheep bleating. Good night!<br />
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Link to day 2: http://travellingcyclist2k.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/day-2-cycling-or-rather-hikling-up.html</div>
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<br />jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-60627950142820635992014-08-24T11:40:00.001-07:002014-08-25T04:10:37.221-07:00Day 2 - Cycling (or rather hikling) up Jacob's ladder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Woke up very early this morning, about 5:30am, due to not having a very good night's sleep thanks to the rain. I got up and went to the toilet before heading back for a couple more hours sleep. As I was coming back from the toilet block however, the grey of early morning sky suddenly changed hue from grey to faint yellow - it was the sun rising. This was one of very few times I have seen such a thing occur (the other time was in the Świętokrzykie mountains in Central Poland), but none-the-less the effect is quite magical. The transformation is quite sudden, but the effect is spell-binding and almost miraculous.<br />
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After getting up properly just before 9am, I went down to the shop for some supplies (juice, breakfast items, cookise etc.). Although often in places such as this, where supply is often limited, most items are pretty expensive. However, in the general store in Edale you can get some very reasonably priced items for considerably less than a pound - cookies, flapjacks, toffees, beans, juice, energy drinks, especially if you buy the own brand products, which come highly recommended. In total, I spent less than £5 for everything I would need to snack and drink on.<br />
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Anyway, after a 'hearty' breakfast of sausages, beans and bacon (plus a few mushrooms) I set about getting ready for today's bike ride, which would take me from Edale to Hayfield, where the current TV series The Village is set. The ride would take me up Jacob's Ladder, a snaking route that literally seems to climb up to the heavens when seen face on. It's very steep in parts, and turned out to be most definitely not rideable, so my day's ride ended up becoming more of a hike with a bike as I pushed my +13kg mountain bike up and over the top. Admittedly, I was riding a rigid, but even with full suspension you'd need to have legs of steel to have any chance of cycling over such rough, steep terrain.<br />
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The route is so steep and rocky for most of the way that I must have spent 4 or 5 miles walking and pushing the bike uphill. None-the-less, some of the views are tremendous. The going did not get any easier as I reached the crest of the hill, as the path downwards seemed to consist of nothing but huge, freshly laid stones, making even walking difficult and uncomfortable. Still, I arrived in Hayfield in good time, sufficiently to have a look around some of the village.<br />
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The village really is like a step back in time, containing a butchers, greengrocers, cafe and various other stores. the greengrocers is even done out in authentic 1920's style, complete with stuffed animals hanging outside (presumably for filming). Anyway, I bought some nice sausages, fresh potatoes, a yoghurt and some beans, so knew I could look forward to a hearty dinner when I got back tonight. Even better, the whole lot came to under £3.<br />
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My dilemma now was the best way to get back to Edale. If I went back the way I came, I would face even more hills and rocky paths, and if I took the main road, the distance would be twice as long and probably be very busy with traffic (not really what you want when you come away to the country for a few days). So I opted instead to cycle along the Sett Valley Trail, a pleasant and traffic free woodland route passing through nature reserved and pleasant forested area, which would bring me out at New Mills Central train station - I had decided to take the train back. The hills and rough surface had beaten me after only 12 miles (it felt like 112).<br />
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Once back at the campsite I had a much needed shower, followed by a brief downpour, and then set about preparing my dinner. It's no mean feat cooking potatoes, sausages and beans with only one gas ring, but I did and this is proof that you don't need all the modern conveniences we have in our homes these days - my gas stove only measures around 30 x 45cm! Still, I probably couldn't do this every day - otherwise where would the fun in that be? Now all that remained to do was choosing whether to go for a guided night time walk in search of bats, or to view a local art exhibition in the church later in the evening.<br />
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Link to day 3: http://travellingcyclist2k.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/day-3-short-but-steep-walk-and-home.html<br />
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Full route details: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/513444752jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-24792302434698525682014-08-24T11:39:00.003-07:002014-08-24T11:39:59.284-07:00Day 3 - A short (but steep) walk and home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I decided not to do the bat walk last night, as when I arrived at the visitor centre about 7:30pm, it was full of parents with their children (as I should have expected). As I was tired from the day's adventure on the hiking trails with the bike, I took the easy option and went to the pub for another drinks - in the Old Nags Head of course. There's nothing wrong with the other pub, it's just a bit more modern and not quite as cosy - and the food is not as good. Still, it's worth a try if you haven't been before! Anyway, back to today.<br />
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I slept much better this time, as there was no heavy rain in the night and I was asleep almost instantly from the day's exertions, so I got up about 8:30am to a cup of tea and a breakfast of the the beans I hadn't eaten the night before - waste not want not! The plan for today was to do a bit of a walk that would take me up above the Edale valley looking down, nothing too long and arduous, but something that would stretch the legs.<br />
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Before setting out however, I cycled down to the visitor centre and left my bike there to collect on the way down later - rather than walk back down with a suitcase and bike in tow, I would only have half as far to walk with both things, so figured this made sense. Inside the visitor centre I picked up a book of walks around Edale. I know most of them already, having been coming here some years, but I figured there may be something new in there I haven't done before, such as a new route, and I simply couldn't resist the colour coded map in the back showing all the routes over-traced on a pristine white section of Ordnance Survey map.<br />
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After finishing at the visitor centre I turned right onto the road and right again to cross the little river that passes Fieldhead campsite - a truly wonderful spot which never fails to inspire me with it's grassy glade next to the running of the stream. I headed out across the field towards Ollerbrook farm, before turning right then left again into open counry - this was a gentle but continuous ascent towards Ollerbrook Clough and Blackwell Plantation. However, I made a left turn through the heather-strewn field towards The Nab, which crests a ridge with fantastic views over the Edale valley and Heardman's plantation.<br />
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The switchback of the usual descent brings you back out at Grindsbrook Booth and Grindslow House. However, I took the alternate route which is a bit more direct and involves scrambling down a very steep banked pathway back down into the heart of the valley where Edale Village resides. Once again, the views from up here are sensational, and it's important to have both hands free as you slide down the bushy slope. Still, it's well worth it for the view it affords over the other walkers making the more traditional way up towards The Nab. Still, you'd be very hard pressed to ascend this way, as it's tough going and even on the way down gravity is always threatening to pull you down to ground level. Still, it makes for a fascinating and thrilling downhill run.<br />
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Once back down in the heart of the valley, I descended the steps crossing the stream and climbed back out the other side to Grindslow House before heading back to the campsite. I borrowed a tin opener for a third time from a third person in order to cook the soup I'd bought yesterday, rather than eat out or leave food here that I didn't want to carry. I decided to cut my losses and go home early, as all the signs from the weather forecast seemed to suggest that by early evening and tomorrow morning the rain would really be hammering down. I was taking no chances and decided to pack up before nightfall so as not to be packing everything up in the rain. Fortunately I packed up in good time and had time for a nice milky latte at the little cafe by the station before catching the train home. It should be noted here that the cafe near Edale station is nice and pleasant, but has now been taken over by the National Trust. It used to be owned by a woman and her dog who used to cook things from the menu or anything else you may fancy - whilst the choices from the menu are still good, it seems to have lost that 'one-of-a-kind' and homely feel it had before.<br />
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Still, nothing stays the same forever, but fortunately the village itself and most of the things that make it appealing haven't changed in the least. The village shop still has products in it that look like they've been on sale since the early 1990's, and the visitor centre still has videos to watch (if not still in the same format as they were when I was a kid). All in all, this has been a fantastic trip and somewhat different to the usual caravan adventures, where I'm almost always accompanied by family or friends. It had been nice just to be on my own doing things in my own way, living an independent yet simple life even if only for a few days. And best of all, I still have the Bank Holiday off tomorrow! Rejoice.<br />
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Full route details: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/513444752<br />
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<br />jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-29708520870506808822014-06-10T10:42:00.001-07:002014-06-10T10:42:46.904-07:00Groupset photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076232975437655964.post-54891329379702822932014-06-01T09:36:00.000-07:002014-06-01T09:43:35.464-07:00Sunday ride and the Doncaster Cycling Festival <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d70; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;">Date: 1 June 2014<br />Length of route: 44.5km/27.8 miles<br />Route: Doncaster-Turnholme Wood-Thorpe-in-Balne-Trumfleet-Haywood-Holme- Cusworth-Sprotbrough-Doncaster</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d70; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;">Difficult level: Easy-medium<br /></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d70; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d70; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;"><br />Well today was an interesting today of cycling and bike-related things. Today was yet again the day of my intended ride in the Peak District. However, it appears that for one reason or another I am ill-fated not to do this ride. First of all it was the rain, then yesterday I was hampered by inner tube problems - today it was the turn of train's not running to Sheffield day, from where I intended to start the route. Since I had no intention of cycling all the way to Sheffield and then starting the route, I decided to give upping my mileage a go in Doncaster and around instead.<br /></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d70; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;">Fortunately for me, today was the day of the Doncaster Cycling Festival - the first in 25 years! Of course, it's no Tour De France/Giro D'Italia, but it made a nice change for Doncaster to have something interesting going on, whilst also giving the Council an opportunity to put the new 'Cultural Quarter' into action as June begins in earnest and the sun shines down on our heads. Basically, the festival was a series of races for different age/ability groups doing a number of laps around the town centre on closed roads, with a series of stalls nearby promoting cycling and offering a number of freebies (free drinking bottle, anyone?).<br /></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d70; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;">There were plenty of people at the festival strolling around in cycling gear, training on turbos and also a few of the local cycling clubs out and about in force, which I have to say makes a nice change from the usual Doncaster crowds. Anyway, enough of that and onto the ride.Almost as soon as I left the house my vision was assaulted by a couple of cyclists ahead of me, who I overtook in my earnest to get going. Whilst stopped at the red light out onto the main road however, they caught me up and I discovered that these were two female cyclists in their late 60's/early 70's (as far as I could tell).<br /></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d70; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;">They asked me very politely if I could possibly tell them how to get to the Doncaster Cycling Festival, as they had attempted to find it twice already and had failed. Fortunately for them, and me being a jolly amiable soul, I told them I was going that way and just to follow me, as I was headed into that direction. I imagined them saying 'What a nice young gentleman he was.' after we parted ways, however I decided not to dwell on such arrogant thoughts and after a brief look round the stalls and watching the racers go by, I headed on my merry way.<br /></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d70; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;">I had decided to head out to the country lanes to the west of Doncaster on a similar route to that me and my friend took a couple of months ago on our 120 mile/four day 'epic', as the roads round there tend to be very quiet and free of traffic. I somehow managed to take a wrong turning and therefore ended up going across som gravelly sections of tarmac and through a rather dark and mysterious forest - luckily the terrain wasn't anything I couldn't handle and I emerged into daylight on the other side to find a very wide and large brand new bridge (that somehow didn't fit with the area at all) to take me across to the quite farming villages that populate this area of the country.<br /></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0d0d70; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;">Arriving in the small village of Thorpe-in-Balne, at about the halfway point of the ride, I had a snack and looked at my phone to find that unfortunately my Strava app had crashed, and I would have to start recording from scratched. Luckily the ride data were safe, but I couldn't carry on recording from where I left off. I set out again taking another turn off which informed me the road ahead was closed at the level crossing. So I took another left that I knew would bring me out at the same place but over the crossing. Unfortunately I had to turn back as some guard dogs began barking at me and I didn't feel too comfortable attempting to out cycle them on such a narrow country road. Back the way I came then!<br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0d0d70; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;">I decided to make my way up to the level crossing rather than go round the houses as I thought there might be some way I could get across being just a bike - there was a manned signal box there, where I asked the guy inside if I could possibly get across, since the sign seemed to suggest the engineering works had come to an end, and the crossing simply not reopened. Fortunately, he checked the train schedule and let me across, where I eventually came out on the busy A638 main road leading back into Doncaster. Rather than carry on this busy and unpleasant road, I saw a sign not much further along pointing to Brodsworth Hall and Cusworth.<br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d70; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;">Since I knew this was a way I could get back home whilst adding in a few hills, I decided to go that way, thus avoiding more traffic. My legs were starting to feel slightly fatigued by this point so I stopped by the road side for a final snack and turned off before reaching more familiar territory and an excellent downhill (right before a nasty curving upward slope) before reaching home. I managed the hill much better than I used to and I'm pleased to say I resisted any urge to go into my lowest ring, as I really don't reckon it's necessary in almost all of Doncaster. I arrived home in one piece to take a refreshing shower and reflect on a pleasant days cycling. Here's to finally making it to the Peak District for a ride in the near future!<br /></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d70; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;"><br /></span>jordanuk223http://www.blogger.com/profile/11809760867226651497noreply@blogger.com0