The Perky Peacock located in Barker Tower looked closed. Massive oak door. I’ve not seen closed before. I walked in. Warm and cosy, full of people. It had started to drizzle of rain. I decided to stay and have cabbage and leak and potato soup, it was excellent.
York had flooded a couple of weeks ago. Barker Tower had flooded. On the embankment the other side of the River Ouse, workmen were clearing the mud.
There needs to be afforestation of the catchment area of the driver Ouse. Preventative from experiencing flash floods.
Coffee never. Used to be Origin. Changed to Pact, not good. Changed to Divine, a local roastery, even worse.
A detour to Michelgate to Bar Hackery, an excellent local bakery To buy sourdough bread. Also, I don’t know what it is called, maybe a knot with pistachio in the middle.
Tired and exhausted after a trip to Nottingham the previous day, maybe not a good idea to visit York, but I thought, check out the York Christmas Market. Why not?
Winter Solstice, shortest day, a couple of days ago.
Major timetable changes across the entire network. Where I would have travelled up to York via Doncaster, returned via Newark, it was now the other way around, up to York via Newark and return via Retford or Doncaster. Leave earlier, arrive in York earlier, leave earlier via Retford or later via Doncaster. I did not fancy waiting in the cold at Retford, and Doncaster meant I’d have more time in York.
Travel North from King’s Cross, two days before Christmas? I was having misgivings. The trains would be packed, standing room only.
1120 LNER Azuma to King’s Cross, waiting at the station, at least 30 minutes before departure. The carriage was empty. Even when the train departed, almost empty. Warnings, the train would be packed from Newark onwards
Very cold at Newark. Half an hour wait for the next train.
Waiting room used to have large black and white prints of old Newark. All gone. Meaningless graphics decorate the walls. Sacrilege.
Seats, 13A sockets and usb A charging between the seats. The first one I tried did not work. The next worked, fast charging.
I headed for the front coach of the Edinburgh train. A few empty seats. Display indicated seat available. Woman demanded I move, she had booked all the seats (not true), told me to find another seat. It’s tiresome arguing with stupid people. It was easier to move.
I walked further down the train to find a toilet. The train was packed.
York Railway Station was chaos. Heaving with people. Christmas travelers, made worse, no trains north of York. Delays until at least 1500.
It was going to be a headache, the return journey.
Crossed the road, climbed up onto the City Wall. Lots of people walking the City WalL I headed in the direction of the River Ouse and York Minster.
The Perky Peacock #coffee #coffeeshop Barker Tower Lendal Bridge River Ouse #York
The Perky Peacock in Barker Tower looked closed. Massive oak door. I’ve not seen closed before. I walked in. Warm and cosy, full of people. It had started to drizzle of rain. I decided to stay and have cabbage and leak and potato soup, it was excellent.
York had flooded a couple of weeks ago. Barker Tower had flooded. On the embankment the other side of the River Ouse, workmen were clearing the mud.
There needs to be afforestation of the catchment area of the River Ouse. Prevent from experiencing flash floods.
Bar Hackery #bakery #patisserie #bread #sourdough #Mickelgate #York
A detour to Bar Hackery, an excellent bakery in Mickelgate, to buy sourdough bread. Also, I don’t know what it is called, maybe a knot with pistachio in the middle.
Looked in the Amnesty International bookshop. I was pleasantly surprised to find open. The last time I passed by it was under threat of closure.
Head to Lè Speciality Coffee shop in Fossgate. They were closing early. Apologised. Christmas. Crossed the street to Kiosk. Cappuccino and mince pie. Stunning ceramics on the shelves. A local pottery. But expensive.
I could have made the train for Retford but decided not to rush, catch a train half an hour later for Doncaster.
Offtge market, pork chop from a butchers, French brie from a cheesemonger.
Then I got lost. How I got lost I don’t know. I found myself passing through agatevin the city walk. I assumed Michelgzte
I could have climbed onto the City Walk but decided to alongside the city Walk, keeping the City Walk to my right
I passed another Gate. Where was I? I should have come the York Station.
I tried asking people. Zombies withbkankexoresdiisontheir ears . They walked on past, as though I did not exist. Or they were foreigners who did not know.
Eventually I ended up in the city centre from where I gasstred . I was baffled. At least I knew whwrrei was. I headed to the station.
I was twenty minuted katem I had missed my train. It arrived delayed but now if midded
B&M has excellent deals on power banks. Many are fully charged. When they’ve gone they’ve gone.
Buy off the shelf and they are charged. Excellent if phone is about to die.
At a guess, powerbanks are old stock, or end of line, when try to find on-line, do not exist
The only downside, have to shop in B&M, an appalling store in which to shop.
The latest, and the best deal to date, Goodmans power banks. At least a good deal if not old stock.
5000mAh
10000mAh
20000mAh
Goodmans is a very old company. Used to be famous for wireless valve radios. Literally called the wireless. No longer exists. B&M acquired the name.
Goodmans 5000mA power bank fast charging Redmi Note 10 Pro. The power bank died when it dropped to 20% indicative of an old battery #bandm #Goodmans #powerbanks #fail
1722 slow train from Nottingham, stopping at every station. No WiFi, no power, phone down to 4%. Time to try the Goodmans 5000mAh power bank.
Fast charge via usb A port
power bank 92% phone 4% start
power bank 75% phone 20% 10 minutes
power bank 60% phone 32% 20 minutes
power bank 48% phone 41% 30 minutes
power bank 34% phone 50% 40 minutes Newark 1800
Power bank died 0% phone 60% 50 minutes
Power bank should not have suddenly died. This is indicative of an old battery. Will have to take it back and hopefully change.
Update: Christmas Eve. I tried to exchange, not even asking for a refund Explained the power bank was old stock, faulty. Refused to exchange. Company policy. Take it up with Goodmans. Goodmans does not exist, B&M acquired the name. Not acceptable. When taking back a faulty product, it is the store that had to replace not the manufacturer. Trading Standards. Amazon may be an example of enshittification of the Internet, but they offer no quibble refund on returned goods. Another example why people shop with Amazon, not cowboys like B&M. It was suggested I bring in a receipt , proof of purchase, but I should not have to.
Update: Boxing Day. 5000mAh and 10000mAh power banks being sold off at £3, which again indicates old stock.
Update: Saturday , the day after Boxing Day, I could not find these reduced price Goodmans power banks in store in B&M. I raised with the staff. Very old stock, different model number, bars not a digital display.
Update: Two days before New Year’s Eve. As advised, bring in a receipt or bank statement. I should not have to. Visit the bank. They scroll through transactions and find for B&M. Print off a copy. A visit to B&M, a queue half way down the store. Briefly speak to self-declared ‘manager’. I will return later. Early evening. Find ‘manager’. Oh, I now have to find on our system. A man asks, what am I waiting for? I explain. Who are you? Store Manager. Manager returns. Can’t find it on our system. In the meantime, I’ve packed away the replacement. I’m threatened with arrest if I walk out of the store.
Retail Enshittification: B&M and Flying Tiger are examples of retail enshittification. Always ask for and retain a receipt. They knowingly sell substandard products and refuse to exchange or give a refund. If given grief, complain to Trading Standards,which in itself is a hassle, to ensure few complain. Lack of regulation enables enshittification.
Update: Tuesday, the day before New Year’s Eve, another wasted visit to B&M. I’m being given the run around. I visited a phone shop. They confirmed what I already knew. Old power bank. Battery failing. B&M are instructing their staff not to comply with consumer legislation, refusing to recognise consumer rights.
Update: B&M have told their retail staff not to exchange or pay a refund on faulty goods.
Update: Buy identical 5000 mAh Goodmans power bank. Retain receipt. Next day, return faulty Goodmans power bank. Show receipt. Receive full refund. Unboxing the new 5000 mAh power bank, charge 82%. Confirms old stock.
Alighting from the train,l at Nottingham Railway Station I felt hungry.
I had intended, pop into The Bagel Project Carrington Street to say hi to the barista, thank him for the excellent coffee in my last visit, wish him Merry Christmas, give him a mince pie, and be on my way. But I decided to stop and have a bagel, followed by a coffee.
Looked in the Bagel Project. Feeling hungry , I thought stay. The barista was not there, and I did not know his name.
I commented empty. Usually packed. The train to Nottingham was not busy.
I noted Cartwheel Coffee Misspent Youth was still being served. Asked for a poppy seeded bagel. Sorry only sesame seeds. Explains why on my last visit, I did not get a poppy seeded bagel. A pity, as their best bagels. Cost cutting?
Sit by the shelf at the window? Can look out of the window. Last visit it was too cold. Changed my mind, popped my coat on a chaitr by a table by the counter, then stepped back to the counter.
A woman, let’s say obese challenged, barged past me like a WWI tank. Then started to mouth off giving me lip, claimed I’d pushed in. Did she think I’d materialised out of the floor? I walked away. Futile arguing with a pig-ignorant moron. As a wise man once said, don’t argue with an idiot, bystsnderswill not know who is the idiot. Excellent advice.
She shouted at me to repeat what I said as I walked away. I said if she did not hear, I was not repeating myself. I then ignored her.
Next she’s complaing to any one who will listen. A man at a table got up to leave and said I should apologise.
Once in Oxford, a woman tried to rob me. Bystanders intervened, thinking I was attacking her. Until a man who was watching the scene unfold, shouted at them they were a bunch of idiots, she was trying to rob me. Maybe they were her associates. Two women ran away. One robs, hands to someone else. If detained, nothing in their possession. Thanks to the idiots or associates, she got away before I could take a picture
Manager speaks to me. I suggest check your CCTV. On reflection I don’t recall any notice warning CCTV recording. A serious breach of data protection act, possible criminal offence.
First day of travel since major change to train times. Two trains an hour, sounds great, previously one an hour, but service is far worse.
Train times have changed. Stop at Hykeham , then Newark, then stop at all stations to Nottingham . Previously stopped at all stations to Newark, then non stop to Nottingham. Previously 50 minutes journey. Now an hour. No power. WiFi? Train deserted. Usually packed.
I looked in The Bagel Project. Feeling hungry , I thought stay. A woman let’s say obese challenged, barged past me like a WWI tank. Then started to mouth off giving me lip, claimed I’d pushed in. Did she think I’d materialised out of the floor? I walked away. Futile arguing with an imbecile. Next she’s complaining to any one who will listen. The manager speaks to me. I suggest check your CCTV. I don’t recall any warning CCTV recording. A serious breach of data protection act, possible criminal offence. I walked out.
Vibe industrial waste bins across their shop front. Not good. Excellent espresso and iced matcha latte at Vibe.
I looked in The Cheese Shop. Queue out the door. Wish the owner Merry Christmas. Too busy to stop.
Slight detour via Nottingham Christmas Market. Junk food and tat. Stomach-churning stench from the junk food. Not pleasant.
Quick look in Effy. No mince pies.
Late lunch at a Japanese ramen noodle restaurant. I prefer to sit outside. Drunk woman shouting. Why do people lack manners?
Quick look in Effy. I wanted to try coffee from Still. I do not see any. I don’t stay.
I head to Sneinton Market. Many businesses en routed closed. Some not long open.
Look in Luisa’s Chocolate. Try chocolate. Buy a bar.
Head back to Vibe. Cappuccino and a chocolate matcha tart. It’s in another league to their matcha cheesecake, which is in another league to any other desserts,apart from their Japanese tiramisu and deserts in Athens.
Goodmans 5000mA power bank fast charging Redmi Note 10 Pro. The power bank died when it dropped to 20% indicative of an old battery #bandm #Goodmans #powerbanks #fail
My phone is down to 4%. I catch the 1722 train, slow train, stops everywhere, takes forever. No power, no WiFi. Opportunity to try Goodmans 5000mAh power bank. To date, not tried, have been able to charge on the train or in coffee shops. Fast charging. Then when power bank down to 20%, it dies. This is indicative of an old battery. Hopefully I will be able to change.
Oops. A big clanger. I’d written Summer Solstice not Winter Solstice. Mistake now corrected.
I learnt of this tiny pop up shop on Steep Hill during a recent visit to Vine’s Bakery in Saxilby. Until today, Saturday afternoon after the farmers market Castle Hill (third Saturday of the month) I’d never found open.
Vine's Bakery Steep Hill pop up shop #bread #sourdough #bakery #croissants #SteepHill #Lincoln
Walking down Steep Hill my eye was caught by the window display of fresh baked bread.
I walked in. I was surprised how tiny, how old. Oak panel lined walls, an old fireplace with logs, shelves to the side of the fireplace, at the back, and in the corner a tiny counter manned by a helpful young lady. All very tastefully done.
The entrance is unusual but typical of Steep Hill. A main entrance, to the left entrance to the bakery, to the right a chocolate shop (not recommended).
All the time I was there, a constant stream of customers. Like me, brought in by the eye catching display. Every single one who walked in made a purchase, be it a sourdough loaf, almond croissant or a croissant mince pie.
I would have bought a sourdough loaf, very tempting, but I’d only bought a Wellbeck sourdough loaf from Bailgate Deli the day before. I did though come away with an almond croissant and mince pies.
They were so busy, they had to restock mid afternoon. Easy to see why, the only bakery in Lincoln.
The young lady was very pleasant and helpful.
Hot tip: Half an hour before they close, everything free (not sourdough loaf) or a freebie with a purchase.
Other recommended businesses on Steep Hill: Bunty’s tea shop , Steep Hill Wines, On the Hill jewelry, Bells tea shop.
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