We met up at the Travelodge, Leeds Central, to spend a night and a day taking in the atmosphere of Leeds. There was just me and my best friend, Dawn, and we had a ball (except that I snored all night -allegedly!)
We wined and dined in 'La Tasca' - a great Spanish restaurant that served us perfect paella - and at Wagamama. Wikapedia says of Wagamama, 'a British headquartered restaurant chain, serving pan-Asian food in the style of a modern Japanese Ramen Bar'. And that's just about right. The food, in 'get it when it's ready' style, comes at you fast and furious, in bowls with chopsticks. It was a huge treat. I'll have to try out the one in Eldon Square, Newcastle, near to where I live.
We had breakfast in a super greasy spoon in the indoor market. We strolled around the 'tat' stalls where I found a bag and a couple of bling watches.
We wandered into so many arcades with cascading fountains, they all looked alike, blurring into one, except for the designer gear and jewellery in the shop windows. We strolled, mesmerised by the retro clothes shops until we came to the arts and crafts market - here every second Saturday apparently - where I found myself drawn to beautiful amber rings and things - and I bought one (a ring, that is!).
Dawn bought a hand-made framed clutch of hens in recycled metals (she'll correct me if I'm wrong in my description - but she won't dispute that it's simply gorgeous!)
Around the town hall were stunning statues and a tree of shoes (yes, you read it correctly!)
Inside the art gallery were the amazing works of Henry Moore. The Henry Moore institute, a collaboration between the Tate Gallery and Leeds Art Gallery, houses marvelous must-see sculptures. I was enthralled. This was a great week-end. We'll do an away week-end again, for sure - and so should you, dear readers! 
WRITE ON
Love of Language:
Thanks a million to my writing buddies (and tutor, Kathleen Kenny, who introduced the activity) of the Wednesday writing group at Mea House Newcastle, for their involvement in the writing exercise that fuelled my 'about writing' article for -
FLASH FICTION CHRONICLES
It was published on 24th March, entitled 'Waltzing with the Word'. You might want to try out this great activity for yourselves. Here's the link:
Flash Fiction Chronicles: Waltzing with the Word
Ghosts and Games of Long-Ago Liverpool
My manuscript for the 'Forget-me-Nots'section in 'This England'- a quarterly glossy magazine about life in England - has been retained. How fantastic to be considered worthy by such a magazine. I'm honoured! Everything's coming up roses - a great big crimson bunch of 'em!
That's all, constant readers, until next time...
...and next time, I'm likely to be giving my garden some much-needed attention!
...then my flowery cup, flowery top, flowery tights and flowers in my sparkly vase might have brought me a touch of good luck!