Rather than try to drive on Christmas Eve we thought we’d travel most of the way the day before with a short journey the next day.
Where to stay?
‘Hmmm… how about Sheffield?’
‘Why?’
‘It’s got a waterfront.’
‘What, a beach?’
‘Probably not.’
So we booked it and the traffic was much better than attempting to negotiate the roads the day before Christmas and there’s a good road right into the centre… just a hop, skip and jump to the waterfront and there ‘s the hotel.
Bags of room in the carpark.
Empty reception.
Are we in an end of days movie?
Are we the last people on earth?
No… the receptionist appeared and checked us in, £7 for the carpark but if you park round the corner, by the narrowboat quays it looks free. Dark and lonely so maybe not too secure though?
Anyway the room was fine, a balcony too although it was a bit cold to go out there for a sundowner gazing at the activity by the waterfront.
Not that there was much… and, as it got dark, all activity ceased although the Christmas lights lit up on all the narrowboats.
Which was pretty.
You walk out the back door right onto the waterfront and we’d booked dinner at ‘True Loves’ a couple of arches up the way, we went for a reconnoitre after unpacking.
Don’t wear heels, ladies, my wife found walking on the cobbles quite awkward.
The area looks like it is a happening place but it was almost deserted, one table having a drink at the bar next door and one table in True Loves having cocktails (well why not, it was almost Christmas) when we went in there for a coffee.
Later, when we rocked up for dinner the people were still outside the bar next door (tough Northerners, it was freezing!) and inside there was, again, one table occupied.
Dinner was good (try it, you won’t be disappointed) but why no-one else?
The same when we left, the quays were empty, everything shut… the bar next door was tidying up as their drinkers had left.
It was half past eight!
I do hope next year is going to better than this one; it must be dreadful trying to run a hospitality venue with everyone scared to death by the media so staying home quaking, peeping out from behind their curtains.
Slept well, it was quiet… haha!
Breakfast, next morning, was fine. One other table occupied, two ladies.
I think we were the only people on our floor, it was a bit eery walking about and seeing nobody at all. As I said, just like some apocalyptic end of the world movie…
Cross fingers we regain our nerve next year and things pick up. less