Wednesday 16 September 2009

Mid week treat

As part of the ongoing birthday celebrations (Ive decided to have a year of them!!) we decided to treat ourselves to a ride on the big wheel in Sheffield City Centre. We used the free car parking tickets from last weeks freebie night out and parked in the Cheesegrater. I thought I would just show you this famous Sheffield icon - no Dr Who hasn't landed!! The Old police box lives on Surrey street and has been here for many years. After long deliberations about what should be done with this now that the police no longer use it, they have decided to renovate it and leave it where it is. Hurray!! It will be open during the day to house a city centre ambassador - so you can pop in and ask them things about the city. Don't shut the door though - you never know which Galaxy or time you may end up in!!

The big wheel is situated across from the tardis - and it is big. I cannot believe it was my idea to go in it. The dancing queen and I suffer badly from a fear of heights, and hubby's not too hot in the air either. The young man is the only one good with heights. Any way, we paid our money and got on. We pressed the button for a commentary - which took my mind off things a little, but I have to confess that on the first rotation I did have my eyes closed most of the way up - I got much better on the way back down. My palms were very sweaty, and I couldn't speak, but I was determined to be brave. You are supposed to get 3 rotations, but we actually got 4. The worst bit was when we stopped at the top! I did see some fascinating aspects of the city that I had never seen before, and it really does look wonderful from so high up. I couldn't take any pictures of the views as I was too scared to move! Having said that - I would go on again!
After the excitement of the wheel, I was allowed half an hour in John Lewis (or Cole Brothers as we still call it in Sheffield!!). Whenever I wander around John Lewis, I realise just how out of date our home is.
When we came out - it had gotten dark already - I am no fan of dark nights, give me light nights anytime. The wheel by this stage was all lit up - I believe you can go on this up until 11pm!! I cannot make my mind up whether it would be better or worse in the dark.


Somehow, I was persuaded to have tea out!! We decided on Mamas and Leonies which was Sheffield's first Pizzeria and opened back in 1968. Its a lovely place and great for theatre tea as its just around the corner from the Lyceum and the Crucible. Ive been coming here for well over 30 years now. The place gets a lick of paint occasionally, but nothing much else changes. You can either eat upstairs or downstairs, and both have different atmospheres.

Hope you enjoyed coming along for an evening out with me.

15 comments:

Cal said...

What a great night out. I didn't like the ride on the wheel though. I kept my eyes shut all the way round! And I won't be going on it with you again! But going for a pizza made up for it ;>

Marie said...

I know what you mean about the heights thing, but despite my slight feeling of unease to start, I always enjoy going on a big wheel,you get such a fantastic view. Looking forward to your next night on the town!

Lisa said...

I'm with you on the heights thing, so well done to all who did the ride, whether it was with eyes shut ir not!
Now the pizza I could cope with, esp in a restaurant as old as me!
Lisa x

The Girl said...

Well done on going on the wheel. I've been desperate to go on the one in Manchester for years but no-one will ever go on it with me.

Might have to nip over to Sheffield one day and drag the boyfriend out of work to take me on it!

menopausalmusing said...

Love the Tardis. Great that it is to be kept! The pizza place sounds like my kind of place too.x

JuliaB said...

A lovely night out thanks! But you wouldn't get me on that wheel for toffee. No way. I'll wait in the pizzeria. xx

JP said...

I think you wer very brave going on the big wheel if you don't like heights - like Julia i would have met you at the Pizzeria!!!!!!!!!

Michela said...

I'm a party girl...(instead of "Barbie girl"), this would be the right song for you! Aren't you tired yet???!!

andamento said...

Sounds like a really nice evening out. The big wheel looks fantastic, I'd love a shot! The night time photos have turned out well - the wheel is quite spectacular all lit up.
Thanks for your kind comments on my blog. By the way, there's less than a decade (by just a couple of months!) between us - you're not that old! (or is it that I'm not that young?)

Rowan said...

I missed your birthday post so a rather belated 'Happy Birthday'! Sounds as though you are having a great celebration - at 50 you are still a young woman, from where I'm sitting anyway:) I've seen the Wheel in Sheffield and I have to tell you that nothing would get me on there! It looks wonderful lit up though.

...Nina Nixon... said...

'Wow' what fantastic pictures and you are far braver than me.

Have a lovely day,

Nina x

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

I really did enjoy my birthday treat with you! What a wonderful day. I would have enjoyed everything you did, especially the Pizzeria ... it sound wonderful. Glad you enjoyed the big wheel. I think you should definitely go up in the dark (once in your lifetime!) I think it would be amazing

Very busy in St. Ives at present, we have the Arts Festival on. Off to see "Not the Beatles" in The Lifeboat again tomorrow night. I'll try and behalf myself this time!

walter and me said...

I LOVE big wheels...and big dippers...even though I'm terrified!

Rosie said...

Sounds like a great night out - I'm full of admiration for your going on the big wheel - I decided I couldn't face going on the one at Trentham Gardens - its been moved now anyway. The wheel in Sheffield looks wonderful lit up against the dark sky:)

A time to dance said...

I love the painted phone box...its wonderful...i ust visit sheffield, I have never been ...my other half went to uni there...love the look of the pizzeria!