• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Lambeth
• Category: Sightseeing and Attractions

London SE1 7PB
0870 500 0600

charlievenice said
Dull
I went on the London Eye during its probationary period many years ago, and, unless they have increased its speed to allow passengers to achieve weightlessness, I doubt that the experience would enthral me any more now than it did then.

The view was interesting for approximately two to three minutes, after which I passed the time having the same conversation that I could have had on the ground, somewhat bored by the experience of seeing London from a slightly different angle.

Perhaps the experience is more enjoyable for those that have greater links with the city, but, frankly, developing those links would give me more trouble for me than a normal Ferris wheel would cause.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Lisson Grove
• Category: Sightseeing and Attractions

London NW8 8QP
020 7289 1611

charlievenice said
Strange but beautiful
I'd never been to a cricket match before, and, in retrospect, I perhaps should have become familiar with the rules before going. However, Lord's was extremely nice, and I found it to be a very civilised place in which to spend a day. I particularly liked the garden in the centre, although I found that the park-keepers took a particularly jobsworthy approach to the rules, and were ridiculously strict about visitors going for a wander on the lawns.

I was also unimpressed by the thugs in the centre who seemed determined to try to smack stones off sticks at the crowds sitting down at the edge. That no one had the guts to tell them to stop it speaks volume about Blair's Britain. Overall though, a fine day.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Leicester
• Category: Take Aways

Leicester LE1 6DN
0116 255 4278

charlievenice said
Much like the other ones
If I had a pound for every time someone said to me ‘you must visit a McDonald's in Leicester’, I would have about fifty pence, after spending £2.50 on a ringbinder which I bought after the initial and misleading flurry. However, visit I did, and the experience was one to be forgotten.

I may be growing old and jaded, but the chips and burgers tasted almost identical to some I had eaten several months earlier in a different branch of McDonald's in Barnsley. It would seem that the changing location and season had made little impact on the food and this I found disconcerting. While I may be unfairly criticising this particular branch, my overwhelming feeling was one of nausea. Good if you know what you’re getting yourself into.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Leicester
• Category: Stations and Transport

Leicester LE2 0EL
0845 748 4950

charlievenice said
Gateway to Leicester
Leicester Railway Station is best known as the railway station from public information films about Leicester, but it is about so much more than that. It has regular services to many different parts of the country, and isn’t overly infested with pigeons.

My favourite part of the station is undoubtedly the area in which vending machines are gathered together, and placed under the optimistic sign reading ‘Autobuffet’.

The station offers beautiful views of nearby tower blocks, both on the way into the station and while actually on the platform. Advertising hoardings are also a must-see, and often feature Leicester-specific posters of a kind not normally seen outside Leicester.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Newark
• Category: Stations and Transport

Newark NG24 1LS

charlievenice said
Better than Newark Castle
Newark North Gate is the well-known sister station to Newark Castle, and is, frankly, the better of the pair, offering, as it does, a gateway to better bits of the world. This is not to say that Newark Castle is without its attractions, with a nearby Waitrose and the ever-present lure of a castle.

However, Newark North Gate is very much the one for me. My favourite platform is probably Platform 2, past which the northbound and southbound fast trains run. I particularly enjoy the real sensation of speed and sound made possible by this. If no one is looking, sometimes I lean ever so slightly into the turbulence caused by the passing trains and let them support me for a while. It is a guilty pleasure, but one which I believe does no real harm.

Newspapers from the small shop are passable at best.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Sheffield
• Category: Food and Drink

Sheffield S1 4GE
0114 275 2900

charlievenice said
Shopping Experience of the Gods
Spar probably isn't normally held in the same league as the prestige London stores, but this branch is truly an exception. Everything from the cigarette displays to the collection of baskets screams quality, and frankly I'm amazed that the place isn't flooded with incomers from down south.

I particularly like the range of chocolates and sweets available for sale - I've seen prices more competitive but frankly I'm willing to pay for the convenience and the traditionally high levels of Spar customer service. An unquestionably five star experience to be had here if you are a fan of crisps, biscuits, or soft drinks - if not, best to avoid.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Bray
• Category: Restaurants

Bray SL6 2AQ

charlievenice said
But is it art?
The Fat Duck is an extremely and self-consciously different restaurant - enjoyable more as a tourist experience than culinary. The focus is very distinctly shifted away from the customer's enjoyment of food to a constant attempt at confusion.

I found the experience interesting, but disconcerting - while I can appreciate the skill and thought that went into the many dishes, I can't really say that I felt satisfied afterwards.

Perhaps I'm too closed-minded with my food to truly appreciate it, but £125 seems steep for a meal that didn't make me want to ever eat the dishes again. Enjoyment may well be a question of attitude and expectations, but it's a rather too expensive game of hit-and-miss for my liking.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Leeds
• Category: Restaurants

Leeds LS2 7DA
0113 2465207

charlievenice said
Reliable
It's Pizza Express: a cut above Pizza Hut and fairly fast food made fairly respectable. To be honest, I found it with a little difficulty, as it's rather tucked away, although this wasn't a major problem. The location is good once you're used to it, however, as it's conveniently close to the railway station, and sufficiently hidden to ensure that you can usually get a table without any problems.

The restaurant is fairly smart and clean, and the food is typical Pizza Express fare - for some reason this means that most of the food is pizza. Staff were polite, although serving times were slow when compared with other Pizza Express branches.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Sheffield
• Category: Food and Drink

Sheffield S9 1EP
0114 256 9741

charlievenice said
Beats Mr Whippy into an oxygenated pulp
It's probably somewhat unfair given the variance in price tags, but Ben & Jerry's really does top the average stall ice cream on offer in the UK by an incredible distance: proper ingredients, interesting flavours, and a distinct and gratifying lack of air in the mix.

To be honest, this doesn't really add much over just buying the same flavours in a supermarket, but it's nice to have it there in case of Meadowhall-induced ice cream hunger. It'd probably do better business if they turned off the air conditioning though - it's never really ice cream weather in the shopping centre eco-system.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Leamington Spa
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Leamington Spa CV32 5EE

charlievenice said
Undecided
The Voodoo Bar lays on the exotic shtick rather heavily and in adequate quantity to enfuzz my judgment sufficiently to make me confused as to whether I like it or not. The decor is very bright, and is enough to send modernist principles of clean design into sharp and painful conflict with its garish inside.

Overall, though, the furniture's comfortable, the music's rarely as irritating as it could be, and the drinks (particularly cocktails) aren't horrendously priced. It would help if they put signs confirming whether or not the Voodoo Bar is meant in irony or seriousness - even then I'm not sure which is better.