After yesterday’s waste of a day doing nothing except sleeping and not washing, I felt like I needed to make amends and spend at least a couple of hours outside and taste that lovely Spring air.
So after spending the morning editing this week’s SPOnGcast, my girlfriend and I went for a brief stroll along the canal that runs through the heart of Leeds.
It was a lovely day for it too; blazing sunshine that reflected off the water, so bright you were almost blinded if you forgot to shield your eyes, but there was also a bit of a chill in the shade (the canal was even frozen in parts where it didn’t come into contact with the sun).
Walking down alongside the canal was a lovely way to spend the afternoon. There’s been a lot of redevelopment in that area over the last couple of years and it really shows.
Places that we never even knew existed, too; new picnic areas have sprouted up, newly laid grass is now along each side of the canal, and even a couple of restaurants have opened up as well.
Those new bars seem a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, but in truth it’s only 5 minutes from the high street. One place we went past even claims to be the only bar in Leeds where you can play indoor golf. I don’t know how I can get that time I brought a 9-iron into Wetherspoons substantiated, but I’d like something in writing at least.
A new flat complex has been finished as well, with the bottom units appearing to house new bars and a new restaurant which I fancy going to some time soon. It’s lovely to walk around there, and it’s all within 10 minutes of our flat, even we didn’t know that until today.
We also walked past the City Inn hotel which has a rooftop bar. We went there on the opening weekend last summer and although the views are impressive, the terrace area is overlooking the wrong side of the city, not sure if they’ve opened the other side since then though.
It’s amazing what’s on your doorstep if you only go and look for it. I’m guilty, as I’m sure many of you are as well, of just walking the same way to work, going to the same bars every weekend, and visiting the same shops. It’s nice to go off the beaten track every now and again, to discover something new and exciting.
Why not walk a different way to work tomorrow? Yes, even if that means a 40 minute detour. Give it a go at least. Ok, so you drive 30 miles to work instead, well drive the opposite way this time, eh? Jesus, do I have to think of everything? To mix it up even further, why not walk to a different office entirely? Jut go in and pretend you’re a temp for the day or something. Go on, for me at least.
When my girlfriend and I just started dating we tried to go to a different bar each time we met up for a drink; it was a nice way to see different parts of the city. A city which because I had been here for two years already, I arrogantly thought I already knew where to go or what to see; I didn’t.
Leeds particularly has so many nice things to see and do, and I’m sure I haven’t even began to scratch the surface when it comes to finding new bars, restaurants and walks to find and experience.
It was really nice just to go out for a walk without needing to go somewhere, without rushing, without worrying about getting back to work before your lunch hour runs out, or having to be back at home for a certain time. It was nice to discover new parts of the city with no restraints.
Try it yourself some time. You might discover something beautiful where you least expected it.
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I also appear on the SPOnGcast each fortnight. Visit SPOnG.com to download or iTunes to subscribe.
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