In the Spinning Slots café outside the Spinning Gate shopping centre, Leigh. Having a Biscoff cheesecake and a mocha. The chocolate in the mocha is a bit sweet but the rest is ok, and it was properly hot.
For the first time I was offered the option of pouring cream or squirty cream (yes that's the exact word she used to describe it). I chose pouring of course and when it arrived it was on a plate actually designed to hold a small jug, very nice.
On the way here I walked through the shopping centre and as I was strolling along idly window shopping a woman walked passed me and said something like "You are looking very nicely turned out.". I've been smiling ever since.
This is how I was dressed
There is no WiFi here as far as I can tell. But the list of access points that my mobile can see here includes one called Brodgar and another called Solstice. I don't often see the name Brodgar these days, I wonder who chose the name for the AP , and why.
The reason for visiting Leigh was mostly to buy another of the skirts but in a different colour. But when I got to the shop I decided against it. After the café I just wandered around the town centre visiting some of the many charity shops until I came across the YMCA shop which sells everything for a pound! As you can imagine I was drawn into it as though by magnetism.
I must have spent half an hour there rummaging through the rails and trying things on. I finally bought three dresses and two skirts, 4 GBP altogether because skirts and trousers were two for a pound.
I'm only fifteen minutes drive from my hotel so decided to look for another café to get a bite to eat.
I asked my car to show me the cafés nearby and it came up with quite a few but one name stood out from the rest: Bennett's Eggs and The Garden Coffee Lounge.
It turns out to be substantial restaurant and souvenir shop.
Having tea while waiting for my beef brisket loaded fries to arrive, rather more food than I would usually eat so I won't need more than a packet of crisps this evening.
The tea comes with a pot of hot water, a sign that at least some parts of this world of woe are still civilized.
I'm in my hotel room at Hinsley Hall which must be the quietest spot in Leeds. It's a conference centre but not the kind one might expect; it's The Diocese of Leeds Pastoral and Conference Centre. There appear to be hardly any guests which is a bit strange really because it's quite reasonably priced at 67.45 GBP per night including breakfast and parking. It' a very grand building on the outside but a bit plain and modern on the inside. Suits me though. Pictures later.
The guest information folder says there is a bar open until 23:00 so I think I'll shower and put on one of my new dresses and go and get a drink.
@turbineman40 I'm almost the only guest. The place has at least fifty rooms and there are only five cars in the car park.I haven't encountered any other guests. I don't think I could invite anyone back to my room for any fun, it would be too easy to be overheard. :-)
I asked the receptionist why it was so quiet, he just shrugged and said it's always like this.
To get a drink at the bar I had to get the receptionist to open it.
@ninalanyon I really like your new dresses. You found a bargain and took advantage of it. Just pack your dresses a little bit tighter and enjoy them while you are wearing them Nina
