Back Home

I'm back home from Seattle a little tired but I've posted these four photo's of me from this trip.

I'm going to change my profile picture using one of these which do you think I should choose ?
1. Me with Concord the greatest passenger aircraft ever (English of course well ok the French helped a bit).
2. Me Looking out over Elliott Bay.
3. Me at Alki Beach in West Seattle.
4. Me at Qwest Field at the Seattlw Sounders match.

Just a short tale I had a bit of Drama on the return leg, on the first flight from Seattle to Chicago a bloke was taken ill, the pilot did the "Is there a doctor on board" and two people went to his aid. From what I saw he was having chest pains he didn't look well when he got on at the airport.

Anyway when we arrived they asked everyone to stay seated so the Paramedics that were waiting could get see to him and access the problem. While they dealt with him they let everyone sat in front of his seat then leave but I was stuck to the back. I was panicking a bit as we were running 30 minutes late so I had only one hour to my next flight.

However the Paramedics soon got him up and he actually walked off looking slightly better, hopfully for the poor chap it was just an anxiety attack cos he did look a little afraid of flying.

On the 2nd flight from Chicago to Manchester a group of obviously drunken idiots kept giving the stewardesses some stick. Eventually they refused them any more drink and they were up and down the plane and were getting on peoples nerves, everyone else just wanted to try get some sleep.

That was until the chief stewardess gave the two worst offenders a sheet of paper and made them read it. I think it was some sort of charge sheet, I think they will be visiting court and having their passports removed. Anyway it did the trick they were as quiet as mice from then on.

Last Day

Well today is my last in Seattle and I'm starting to feel very tired with all the activity. Yesterday I visited the "Experience Music Project" now although I love music I've never actually learned to play a instrument (singing as always been out of the question with my voice). Well yesterday I had a go on Drums, Keyboards, Bass & Lead Guitar. Its a real good set up and you can have a go on your own or Jam with others in other cubicles, I went solo as I didn't want to ruin it for anyone else. My Fav and best instrument in my opinion was lead guitar, ok I failed trying to copy Eric Claptons Layla or the start of Pinball Wizzard but I was able to get a sound out that resembled a tune.

One of the things I don't like about the US is the number of street beggars but I must comment on one I saw yesterday as he made me laugh. Most have notes saying various things like "Vietnam Vet", Wife and 6 Kids to support", " need air fare home", "Food please" but the one I saw I thought was hilarious "Father Killed by Ninja, need money for Karate lesson".

Last night I went to see Seattle Sounders Football (soccer) team play Portland Timbers and it certainly wasn't like visiting a match in England. The stadium was awesome although it holds 67,000 and there was only I estimate around 12,000 there so they only opened on side stand.
As I got to the ground 3 coaches arrived carrying the Portland supporters and tey were all singing and waving their flags I thought there could be a good atmosphere at the match.

I got in the stadium and the first thing you notice is that you can get served at the various bars by staff that can actually speak English and add up. Then you go to the toilet and it is actually clean and you don't have to stand in line for your go. The facilities are as good as I've seen.

Now thats the good things about American Soccer, I took my seat (you even get a drink holder) awaiting the 7pm kick off. 7pm came and went and they started playing opera over the PA system. 7.10pm came and loads of kids lined the tunnel awaiting the players, they them brought the players on not altogether but one at a time introducing them to the crowd telling you their weight, height, inside leg measurement, etc. Each player ran out with an escort of half a dozen of the kids and they all lined up in front of the stand.
7.30pm came everyone was out, ok we can start now, no along come four members of the local armed forces and took their place in front of the players and kids. The announcer then asked everbody to stand and take their hats off, they then played the American National Anthem.

The Match eventually got underway and was just getting going but after 2 minutes the announcer then started piping up doing adverts over the PA while the game went on. This was of course until after 6 minutes Seattle got their first corner when he started playing Queens "We will Rock You" while the move was completed. It was even better when they got a Free Kick when a they played a bugle playing the Cavlry charge. These things happend all the match with the announcer mixing adverts with spells of commentary of what was actually happening on the pitch.

After 13 minutes Seattle scored when Portlands goalkeeper displayed his Dracula tendancies (doesn't like crosses) and I thought this would lead to display of passion from the home support, I looked around and all we got was a polite hand clap apart from a couple of hundred with flags towards the left corner trying to match the boisterious Portland fans in the other corner.

When you thought things couln't get worse 20 minutes into the game the announcer decided it was quiz time and asked they fans a question saying the first two people to give the correct answer at the stall behind the stand would get a prize. About 2,000 people then went running out of the ground, what idiots.

This was bettered ten minutes later when the cheer leaders started throwing minature footballs into the crowd and everyone started jumping trying to catch one, you could see f**k all of the match which was still going on. They repeated this stunt in the 2nd half this time with tee shirts.

One 0f the highlights for me was when the young girl with her father who had been trying to explain the game to her, and pretending to be an expert asked him one hour into the match "Which team are we supporting".

For the supporters they were up and down all match going backwards and forwards for more food varying from burgers, chips, popcorn, hot dogs, pizza, etc it was just one big food party.

The game itself wasn't bad and Seattle deserved their one nil win, they actually played some tidy football, but the American fans have a long way to go.

I saw a big bird

Yesterday as planned I went up to north Seattle to go walking in a area called Discovery Park.
The area it is in is called Magnolia and the bus took me through the residential area and what a nice place it looks. There was some awesome looking houses with great landscaped gardens, I could certainly live in an area like that.

Anyway the park is basically Forest with many walking tracks, really pituresque and takes you to virtually deserted beaches and along cliff tops. I reckon I did about 5 mile and it was hard going some real steep ups and downs.

I stopped for a rest at one of the viewpoints over looking the bay from a cliff top when I saw this Big Bird. It was an Eagle and it was hovering only about 10 yards from me looking for prey along the cliff face. Its wing span was massive I reckon 5 to 6 foot. Before I could get my camera out it swooped down and out of site it was awesome.

Last night I went to a Argentinian Restaurant for Diner I had a steak that was really nice although I thought a tad expensive. I moved on afterwards to a Pub but to be honest I was very tired so didn't stay out too late, I was in bed before midnight.

Hello again another update.

I'm still finding plenty to do in Seattle its certainly a City worth visiting there is a lot to see and do. The other great benefit is that public transport is free around the downtown area you just hop on and off the buses. Even if you want to visit anywhere else its only $1.25.

Despite that I've done loads of walking and there are a lot of steep hills so I reckon its done my legs a lot of good, especially with the knee problems I've had this year. Ok the muscles are a little sore but the legs are feeling a lot stronger.

I took a boat tour of the harbour the other day which was really interesting and got some great views of the city. Yesterday morning I walked down to the Sports stadiums, they are awesome Quest Field where the Football and Soccer teams play is a 67,000 stadium and the baseball stadium Safeco Field next door looks at least as big. I think the soccer team are at home Saturday night so I'm going to go along (in my Leeds shirt of course).

Visited a couple of Irish Pubs last night, the first "Owl & Thistle" was a real rough looking place full of locals but turned out friendly. The barman said they do the best Fish and Chips in Seattle so I tried them. I wasn't too impressed with the chips cos they were overcooked but he was right about the Fish it was really good. The Beer was good and when a live group started to set up I thought great this will be a good night, wrong they were terrible so I eventually moved on. I did get some entertainment before I left, one bloke decided to do a runner without paying and one of the waiteresses decided to chase him across a car park. Now this waiteress looked like she'd had a "Jordan" style boob job and how she didn't give herself two black eyes I'll never know.

I moved on to another Irish Pub "Fado" and they also had live music on, well live music was maybe not the term they were attrocious I've seen much better street entertainers. To cap it all I turned around and sat next to me at the bar was a total moron wearing a Red Vermin Shirt (obviously the type that doesn't even know where Manchester is). Now I don't believe in wearing caps or hats indoor but I had my Leeds hat in my pocket so I just had to put it on.

I've 3 days left so today I'm taking the bus upto a district called "Magnolia" at the North side of the City where there is a big park called Discovery Park, don't know much about it but I'll find out. Saturday I plan to visit the "Experience Music Project" while Sunday I'm thinking of taking the Water Taxi across to West Seattle. I was talking to a lady in a bar who told me its a great area to visit with beaches, restaurants and walking/biking trails.

The weather although not hot as been kind as we have had virtually no rain despite it been forcast, actually its been sunny most days with virtually no wind. Its going to get warmer over the weekend.

Another Update from Seattle - nice girls

Yesterday the weather forcast predicted rain (it turned out sunny)so I thought it would be a good idea to do a mainly indoor activity so I decided to visit the Museum of Flight. Its about 8 miles away so I got a Bus which was a education in itself. It went through some rough areas and I reckon half the passengers were Crack Heads.

Anyway the museum was really good had everything there from the Wright Brothers plane to Concord. Had the origional Air Force One which you could go on board and have a look around. Also had exhibits from World War One and Two.

Last night I thought Tuesday ? its bound to be a quiet night so I found an English Pub called "Elephant and Castle" and the menu specialised in Traditional English Food. I had what they called "Yorkshire Pudding" with Beef and vegetables. Well it was very nice whatever it was but certainly was not Yorkshire Pudding, if they called it that where I come from it would be grounds for divorce.

Anyway I'd finished my meal when I noticed to my surprise a group of girls in their early twenties looking across the bar at me. One particurarly gorgeous creature came over and asked if I minded if she kissed me while her friend took a photo. Always happy to oblige (thinking they are mixing me up with a film star) I agreed. She went on and explained that it was her Hen do and her friends had suggested some challenges she had to do. One of thse challenges was to Kiss a total stranger (obviously she fell lucky) and take a photo as evidence. I chatted with the group for a while before they all moved on, they were a good laugh.

Update from Seattle.

Having a good time it seems a nice City, safe with plenty to see and do during the day. I'm a bit tired as I've done a fair amount of walking (best way to see the place) and tere are a lot of steep hills and of course I've been trying a few beers each night.
Actually I haven't been too impressed with the nightlife, Friday and Saturday was busy but couldn't fingd much good live music. Some of the bar staff seem to have a bit of an attitude giving the impression there not bothered which is very unusual for American Cities in my experience.
Saying that I went out last night and the girl that served me was really nice and chatty, they called her Liz. However the place was dead, I don't just mean that bar I don't think anyone drinks on a Sunday in Seattle.
I've been up the Space Needle which is a good view as there are no tall buildings close buy. Yesterday I visited Woodland Park which as a good Zoo, ok I'm not a Zoo person but went in anyway because its supposed to be one of the boiggest. Also in the Park is Green Lake which as a walking track around it (I reckon about 3 miles), it is a really scenic part of the City.
It is a real nice neighbourhood with some beutiful houses.
Today I've just walk miles along the bay front it was quite enjoyable with some cracking views, I've took a few photos I'll post later.
So far I haven't seen any rain in the "Rainy City" in fact its been sunny but the forcast says rain tomorrow so I'm going to get the bus to the "Museum of Flight" it sounds like it'll be very interesting.
Thats all for now I'm in a cafe, the hotel has internet but is ridiculously slow and expensive.

Just a Quickie

I've not much time so just a quickie to say I arrived ok albeit very late as my plane from Chicago to Seattle was nearly four hours delayed. I didn't get to my hotel until midnight which was 24 hours from leaving my hotel in Manchester airport.

Just finding my way around the City today, just been to Pike Place Market and you can buy just about anything there. Like most American Cities I'm already sick of been approached by beggars, but you soon get used to it.

Only one real funny incident to report so far, that was in Chicago airport when a bloke in front of me was struggling down the esculator with two large pieces of luggage. When he got to the bottom instead of moving on he decided to stop and with peopl behind him packed coming down I just crashed into the back of him while others crashed into me. A few went arse over tit it was quite hilarious.

I'll post later in the week if I get chance.

Seattle Here I Come

Well Tomorrow I'll be leaving for my first vacation of the year and I'll be crossing the Atlantic again. On this visit I'm going to Seattle and its another new City for me. Actually I don't know anyone who has been so I've been reading up on the things to see and do. I leave home after work on Wednesday to travel by train to Manchester where I'll be staying over at Bewleys Hotel at the Airport. I've stayed at this hotel before and its ok and walking distance from the terminals, it has a good bar and restaurant but there is a Irish Pub next door that I usually visit.

Thursday morning I fly first to Chicago (8+ hours) then following a four hour stopover I fly on to Seattle (4+ hours). So I'll be travelling over 16 hours and although I'm due to arrive at 7.30pm with the 8 hour time difference it will be like 3.30am to me. I'll be pretty knackered so I'll get a quick shower and maybe grab a meal in the hotel restaurant and get an early night.

While in Seattle I'll be Staying at the "Sixth Avenue Inn" which is right in the City centre and within walking distance of many attractions. The Hotel has its own Bar and Grill plus a seperate Sports Bar.I've been reading up about the many places I could visit while in the City and so far musts seem to be :- Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, Experience Music Project, Seattle Center, Museum of Flight & Seattle Aquarium. I may even go whale watching !

I like to do a bit of walking and visiting parks which Seattle seems to have a lot Discovery Park is one I intend to visit and another is Woodfield Park which also has a zoo. I think there are a few good cycle routes so maybe I'll hire a bike one day.

Nightlife looks good and I've found a list of interesting Bars some good for food and others with live music all within reasonable walking distance from my hotel, Seattle Center, Pioneer Square and Pike Place market all seem to have good nightlife around them but there are other areas.

One of the things I've not yet done when in the States is attend a sports event and I see that the Baseball team is at home while I'm in the city, they play both Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago White Sox. Although I'm not really a baseball fan I feel I should attend a match to see what people get excited about.

However the Sounders soccer team are also at home to PortlandTimbers while I'm there so I will probably see how they compare, I think they are the 2nd level down after the MLS. I'll be wearing my Leeds shirt of course.

I leave town on Monday 7th May flying home to via Chicago, I've only 1hour 25 minutes between flights so if my first is late I may even end up spending a night in Chicago at the expense of the airline (I should be so lucky).

I hope I'll meet some interesting people like I usually do on my trips but I'm sure you'll hear all about it.

I don't know if I'll get access to the net in Seattle but if I do I'll try post some updates as I go and obviously check out a few blogs of my friends..