Leeds

The Leeds road trip is over. 

I wont report on the training course itself except to say that it was interesting to hear how other people do things and to meet others from different University towns.

The hotel Radisson Blu was good and was fitted in an Art Deco style which I must admit is one of my favorite periods.  When we get our boat, it would be nice to do something along those lines... We shall see.

Anyway, here is the bar/dining room.

I have never been to Leeds before and although I only managed to take a very rapid 30 minute walk around the area we stayed in, I was impressed.  I know nothing about architecture but that dosn't stop me from liking it and I loved the mix of grand buildings which I presume were funded by the industrial revolution and the modern icons that fill the speces between them.

I liked this one.

And the 'rusty' Broardcasting tower was untra cool.

Ever the boat spotter, I liked this barge that sits miles away from the water and is now a bar/resturant.  I would have liked to find some history about it but sadly there was none.

Well that was Leeds.  Loved it and I shall go back one day for a good look around.

Snowsgone

So, the snow has finally left this part of the world.  Let us hope that is the end of it.

Spent most of today cutting fire wood which is fun to begin with but the novelty soon wares off.  Still, I am now sitting in front of a hearty fire with the hounds at my feet knowing that we now have enough wood cut to see the winter out.

In other news, both The Good Lady and myself have decided to write a book.  This is something I have decided to do many times but have never got around to jotting down more than a couple of pages.  The Good Lady has however put me to shame and has been churning it out.  Its not half bad either.

Off to Leeds tomorrow for a two day training event courtesy of work.  Never been to Leeds before so that should be good but I doubt I will get to see much outside the University.  Got to be up at 4.30am and drive up there which is a bit frightening!

Taters in the mould

Cor blimey Guv! Its Taters out there.

The big freeze begins.  Well maybe not the start of the next ice age but its still darned cold.  Snow at the weekend we are assured.

A drop in temperature and of course the roads grind to a halt.  The good old A14 was closed this morning and as a result it took two and a quarter hours to drive the 21miles into work.

Still it did make the place look pretty.

I get to pedal around Cambridge for work and today at least I did think that there are worse ways to earn a living.

Hippy Nude Ear

Yup, it is 2013.  Just another day some would argue but since we measure our lives in 365 day segments, we shall celebrate the coming of the next bite - sized chunk.

The Comrades Club provided the venue this year and much Black Gold was consumed. I found it interesting to be there especially as I have spent alot of the Christmas break watching British Gangster movies which always seem to feature this kind of drinking den complete with wobbly Formica tables and sticky vinyl floor. I expected Vinnie Jones to appear at any moment.

Of course there were no gangland slayings or business ventures being discussed by the local 'firm' last night just lots of hugs and handshakes from complete strangers as Big Ben chimed the New Year in.  Not a bad night all in all although it did take a while to coax a rather unsteady Good Lady home.