I love my adopted city of Sheffield. Apart from a brief sojourn across the Pennines in Manchester, I have lived here for 32 years. It's home.
It's easy enough to show you Sheffield's best sides (it has many) - the city centre, the fine Georgian and Victorian architecture, the parks and public spaces, the trees.
One of my favourite roads in Sheffield isn't remotely glamorous, but it represents something real and true about this city; its history, multicultural nature, grit, diversity and ever-changing character.
It's a 15 minute walk into town from our house, along London Road.
You coming?
These are the sights of our road.
Green space, terraced houses with added ducks, the remaining arch of a Victorian tram shed (1878), and a view of the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in the distance.
That bloody streetlight is right outside our house and it's on day and night. Yes, we've reported it (repeatedly) to the council. No, they've not been to fix it.
Our local Indian restaurant, just at the end of the street. We're on London Road now!
The White Lion still has its original Victorian tiles and stained glass.
This oddly-painted building used to be the local train station, closed in 1968.
The River Sheaf at Heeley Bridge.
We did this walk twice; once on Friday, when torrential downpours curtailed our fun, then we retraced out steps on Saturday while the sun shone. The photo on the left is from Friday, and you can see the moorhen's nest in the middle of the river. By the next day, it had been submerged.
Hopefully the breeding season is over and there were no eggs or babies in the nest. I presume they built it in the middle of the river to escape attacks from urban foxes.
This old bank is now an antiques centre.
Those Victorians built a lot of schools; this one is dated 1874.
Highfield Library was built in 1876, and is a Grade II listed building.
Various beliefs are catered for...
as are many tastes in food; Mexican, Indian, Japanese, Turkish, Italian, Chinese, Polish, Vietnamese, Greek and Thai.
That's without the chippies, kebab, falafel and jacket potato shops.
When Lloyd Cole played in Sheffield earlier this year, he mentioned on Facebook that he was wandering along London Road looking for somewhere to eat. I recommended the Hong Kong Wok, our favourite Chinese restaurant, and that's where he went.
I think that means we are Best Friends now, don't you?
Ozmen's; Best Supermarket Ever.
We stepped off London Road for a pit stop at the Harland Cafe, another favourite.
Eton Mess cake and raspberry lemonade for Nina, Sticky Toffee Cake and a cappuccino for me. Mmm.
You can have your hair cut, but you'll have to get your Pukka Pie elsewhere today.
Cool street art.
This building was opened in 1914 as the Lansdowne Picture Palace.
From the 1950s until fairly recently, it was a nightclub. Its changing name reflects the history of clubbing - the Locarno Ballroom, Tiffany's, Vicars, the Palais, the Music Factory, and Bed (when all those lovely tiles were painted black).
I may have shaken a tail feather in there once or twice...
Only the facade and decorative turret now remain of the original building.
Chimneys on the Baan Thai restaurant. Another listed Victorian building, built 1894.
And this is the end of the road.
That red brick building is called Moorfoot, and was opened in 1981, the year before I came to live in Sheffield. It is owned by the Council now, and Simon has an office in there somewhere.
The huge City Gate building is new, as is the Premier Inn hotel next to it. Sheffield city centre is a constantly changing landscape.
From here, you head onto The Moor, a pedestrianised shopping area which includes the new indoor market.
You are now in town. Which is what everyone calls the city centre.
Does that happen where you live?
Sheltering from Friday's downpour!
And this is what I wore.
Some neon 1960s psychedelia, just in case Nina needed to spot me in the crowd of Sheffield United supporters who flooded out of Bramhall Lane onto London Road as we were walking to town on Saturday.
(First game of the season. They lost.)
And bright enough to be truly visible, so I'll joining Patti and co for Visible Monday as usual.
1960s Davisella maxi dress - Ebay
Sunglasses and bangles - charity shopped/gift
Necklace - gift from Leisa
Tapestry bag - gift
Ancient black cropped cardigan and sandals - retail (sale)
So there you have it, the joys of a walk into town along London Road.
It may not be pretty, but it's lively and interesting and varied, and I love it.
It's good to be happy where you are.
xxx
