Many thanks for a most memorable day. I was still buzzing afterwards and couldn’t sleep. The buzzing continued till Saturday night, thanks to the mighty Stalybridge Celtic winning 1 - 0 at Hinckley United (Leicestershire).

I’m on the hunt for ‘Banana’ whilst typing this comment and listening to Devo.

Bye for now,

Stuart.

Donna & Chris *)

I was in Bradford last November and made the mistake of going on a Monday when the museums close for the day. I made my first visit to the Yorkshire city in December 1999 and was taken aback by the fine architecture of the City Hall, St George’s Hall and the Wool Exchange (now a Waterstones book shop).

On my last visit, I was disappointed and annoyed as to why several acres of land designated for a new shopping precinct laid empty (as I found in the local paper, for several years). On the other hand, I found the train journey from Manchester to Bradford most scenic, thanks to the Calder Valley line, the people most friendly, plus the fish and chips at ‘The Inn Plaice’ most delectable.

At the other end of the same November I visited Bradford, I also went to Hull and was surprised in most part of how clean the city centre looked. I walked near, but never got chance to explore ‘The Deep’, just to see the unrefurbished parts of the city. I also enjoyed the view of the River Humber, Streetlife transport museum and was impressed with how much space Hull has compared with being in Manchester.

Stuart.

I grew up in Bradford. It’s certainly declined since I was young (the only shops in the city centre these days are Pound shops and mobile phone shops) but I’d rather go back there with its character and spirit than move to some faceless, dull Oxfordshire estate. And as you point out, we don’t have to buy Calgon up north!

Another one from the same album: ‘Stromgodset Under 5s did the offy last night’ and ‘Massey Ferguson rubbed me up the wrong way’ (Malayian Jelutong).

and..
The town hall band CD, it’s a grower (For what is Chatteris).

I just cannot believe how daft some people are, and you are most correct about the destinations one. Not a day goes by on my usual bus out of work with some passenger asking if it goes to (for example) Ashton-under-Lyne, or the local hospital when it either goes a different way, or stops short of that destination.

My local area seems to be the worst. If only they read their timetables correctly.

Stuart.

P.S. This should have really been posted in the ‘Bus Boarding Peeves’ topic rather than within this subject. Oh well…

a.) I FINALLY got a copy of Transit Maps of the World and it is AMAZING.

b.) My list of bus offences would include: taking a free shuttle that’s meant to go to the garage and not downtown, but you’re too cheap to wait for a real bus and it will go to the Green regardless; asking what the destinations are when they are spelled out to you via multiple signs, failing to recognize that a shuttle is free yet asking the driver for two minutes about the price, opening your stroller before the bus arrives at your stop despite the sign saying that no driver will move with open carriages, and many, many others.

Americans (and I am one) are insufferable when it comes to this kind of transit, and New Englanders are THE WORST.

When’s Half Man Half Biscuit going to do a song about this?