Posted:  Thursday 16 April 2009

North East Associates visit the city of Leeds

An early morning start from a cool and very misty Newcastle saw us heading south towards Leeds, hoping for warmer weather.
Having negotiated the current Wetherby roadworks to reach there (as one A1 upgrade in this area is finishing another starts) our two coaches disgorged their passengers, who were to have a few hours in the city for sightseeing - and shopping.

Where are we?   Which way do we go?   When do we have to be back here?

Much improved weather did make for a pleasant stay.  The pedestrianised shopping area, centred on Briggate, became the focus.  Limited redevelopment has not disturbed the Victorian architecture of which Leeds is so proud, the many arcades from the period remaining both popular and still very attractive.

Several talented buskers entertained us as we ambled around the area.

The first branch outside London of a certain "exclusive" department store was the target for many, some later sporting carrier bags with the name.  When asked what they had bought the response was "Oh, nothing!  We were given some breakfast cereal freebies when in the food section in HN."  (Owt fer nowt!)

Lots more places to shop, including a massive indoor market where you could buy almost anything, from a pig's head to a pony-tail - eat one and wear the other!

Lunch was taken across a wide selection of venues.  These ranged from store café to the city's oldest pub, "Whitelocks".  This latter place was last refurbished in 1886 and although only a few yards up an alley off the main shopping mall was encountered by accident rather than intent.

June and Joan taking a break.

In the Briggate area you can sit and watch humanity pass you by, with all the delights - and the sights - and also observe the activities of certain traders' operations as they are moved on, just to set up their stalls again before the process is repeated.

As usual on a city trip finding Associates to picture is like looking for the proverbial needle . . .

We left a sunny Leeds to be confronted by the mist again as we reached the A1 for our drive home after an enjoyable day.

ph  16/04/2009

pictures:  ph

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