Tell Me Something............Anything!

[Macca]

I'm glad you like it, but have to say that I much prefer Liverpool to Stoke, as it's got so much more going on, in almost every area you can think of! It's just much more cosmopolitan, which I like. No offence, but the bits I've seen of Stoke town centre look rather run down [and badly in need of modernising], as if no money's been spent on it for about 30 years!

Reminds me rather of Glasgow in the 1970s...

I like quiet too, *but* not in a city. If that's the case, I like to be at the centre of the 'action'. In terms of Liverpool, around bold street or Chinatown would suit me fine. Other than that, if I wanted quiet, there are some beautiful Edwardian town houses in Faulkner St I could happily live in! I like it around Sefton Park too, as it's quite 'leafy' there

Marco.

You think Stoke looks bad now you should have seen it 30 years ago. But I like it, in fact I wish it had stayed how it was. There used to be pubs and shops that had not changed, not even been decorated, in fifty or sixty years. Like stepping back in time. It was wonderful.

Not to mention all the coal mines, potteries, the steel works. They are mostly all closed now, you'd never even know the steel works or the mines were there. But it was the Pittsburgh of England for a long time, (You could probably say the same of Sheffield too).

I don't like the whole sanitised thing that is taking over. In Liverpool it is far more advanced, regrettably. I like run down old buildings, dives, places that haven't altered in 50 years, back streets, old valve jukeboxes, sawdust on the floor, all that shit.

But not retro-faked, all clean and antiseptic. The real thing, not manufactured. That's all disappearing fast round here now. In fact it is pretty much gone.

[Marco]

Mmm... I know where you're coming from, but these days I like town centres in the UK that remind me of abroad... Full of pavement cafes, cool places to eat and interesting shops, as well as some history and culture, and Liverpool ticks all those boxes - and although it's moved with the times, it's still got SOUL

I just love it there, and MUCH prefer it to Chester, which is nice, but completely LACKS soul! Btw, where in Liverpool did you used to live?

Marco.

[Macca]

I lived in Garston, about 7 miles south from the centre. But I was born in Liverpool down by the docks just like in the song. Oxford Street Hospital Liverpool L1. Don't look for it, it's not there anymore.

And don't get me wrong, I love going up there, going down to the Pier Head, taking a look at the river and that. I really miss the river as we lived quite close. Those morning Autumn fogs that would come in off it. It stank if you got up close, especially when the tide was out.

It was declared the most polluted river in Western Europe at one point. Funny thing is 40 years on they have cleaned it all up, you can swim in it now and there are otters and that. There's no smell anymore, except of a normal tidal river. But I really miss the smell, it doesn't feel right without it.

[Pigmy Pony]

We like to visit towns that have independent shops, ones where you see stuff not commonly found elsewhere. We found Chester to be a disappointment, but liked York (haven't been for a few years) and Keswick where we do Christmas shopping each year.

Most town centres these days are pretty soulless places, containing the usual suspects (Next, Body Shop, M&S), but apart from the big names, the only ones who can afford town centre locations are charity shops. Maybe there is a council tax incentive for them.

[Marco]

Hi Steve,

I completely agree about soulless town centres and independent shops. Chester is definitely a disappointment, in that respect, as it's too touristy, and so full of too many 'chain retailers'.

There are some notable exceptions, and as you mention Christmas shopping, there's a lovely little gift shop in Chester we go to called Liberty Bell, see here: http://www.liberty-bell.co.uk/

It's great for finding unusual little gift items, especially bespoke Christmas decorations and candles

Next time try Shrewsbury, if you like individual shops - it's far better than Chester.

Marco.

[Roy S]

Don't look for it, it's not there anymore.

Like the 'Electric Banana' then?

[Macca]

Like the 'Electric Banana' then?

just like the 'Electric Banana.'

But enough of me yakkin'...

[Roy S]

But enough of me yakkin'...

Yeah Marty.. let's boogie!

[walpurgis]

Hmm. Was sneezing a bit yesterday. Woke up sneezing and sniffling this morning and I'm definitely not feeling quite right. Just hope it's not a major cold setting in. Been reasonably lucky this winter. Bet it was the snuffling and spluttering sod in front of me at the supermarket check-out the other day who gave me something!

[spendorman]

Honey and lemon hot drink and some paracetamol perhaps.