Postby toomanyhatz » 15 Feb 2018, 19:56
The ones I've been to in order of preference:
Guildford - It's the closest I have to a "home" in the UK as I've stayed there for extended periods of time. A bit of a sleepy town, but in a good way - it compares to London very similarly to how Camarillo compares to LA - similar distance, similar amenities, just less of them, similar lack of traffic. Also love the White House pub. It feels like my 'local' though I haven't been in years.
Liverpool - Beatle-goggles on, of course, but I like a lot of other things about it as well. I think of it as an Irish city, find most Liverpudlians witty and engaging, and then there's the Phil. The outskirts are a bit boring and suburban, I suppose, but the heart of the city is interesting and accessible. And there is something romantic about standing on the banks of the Mersey - which might be the Beatle-goggles talking again, but that is the kind of surroundings I tend to appreciate anywhere in the world.
London - It's great, exciting, vital, of course. It's also dirty, overcrowded, hectic, too expensive, and a confusing mix of ugly and beautiful. So, kind of like New York, then. The perfect place to spend a day or two while en route somewhere quieter. (The free museums are definitely a point in its favor, though - wish the bigger US cities would follow suit.)
Buxton - Not sure how this is perceived in the UK - full of stuffy old tourists, I'm guessing? Spring water and opera houses are in my wheelhouse, so of course I loved it, but must confess I wasn't there long enough to get to know it well.
Ruthin - Pretty surroundings,, nice shops. Apparently where Julian Lennon grew up. Again, wasn't there long enough to really judge, but I didn't care much for where we stayed which was basically surrounded by what we call a trailer park - and there was a very dull performer doing 3 sets of classic rock covers while I was trying to sleep. Reminded me of the kind of California coastal town that I like, but I suspect I didn't make the most of it.
Bradford - Not the heart of excitement, I guess, but it does have the best Indian food I've ever had, so there's that. Again, wasn't there long so can't really say I got enough of a sense.
Footy wrote:
The Who / Jimi Hendrix Experience Saville Theatre, London Jan '67
. Got Jimi's autograph after the show and went on to see him several times that year
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