My First WEEK in LEEDS

Hello all! I've just spent the last week settling into my new house and meeting new friends in Leeds. I've met many of Rob and Victoria's friends and they have been very welcoming. Lots of beer and food has been consumed (I love all occasions that involve food) Although I am missing not having nachos with my beer (They eats chips (CRISPS) by the bagful in pubs)

Lets take a moment and discuss CRISPS...they have the weirdest flavors. I assume this goes back to the FOOT and Mouth disease that wiped out the meat industry in the UK several years ago. To replace the high cost of meat and its rareity they came up with ham and pickle chips, beef and mustard, bacon, prawns, roast chicken , BBQ wings, etc. Even sunflower seeds come in a beef flavor????? My favorite is the roast chicken flavoured crisps. Hhmmmmmmm...

Ah well, Jenny (new friend) took me out to the dales last Sunday (To Malcom) to do a hike. It was great, I even got the chance to climb up a waterfall at one point. ( I was only a bit wet)
The "Pudsey Pacers" are my new running group, they run Tuesdays and Thursdays and they start and finish all runs at the local pub. (WHAT A GREAT IDEA) Last night (Thursday Aug 30th) our run involved a scavenger hunt (always on the last Thursday of the month). Its a timed event, with about 17 locations to find. It was hilarious to see all these pairs of people running around a forested area through brambles and thorns trying to find each location. Again, this activity finished with a drink and dinner at the local pub!! (My partner and I did not do very well, we found each location, but did not answer the questions very well)

Getting around the city has been good, except for every time I go into downtown. I spend on average 1/2 hr looking for this particular "subway" restaurant so that i know where I am. I have yet to get out of downtown leeds on the first try. I usually spend 30 mins circling around looking for an exit I recognize. (THEY DON"T SEEM TO BELIEVE IN STREET SIGNS)

Plans for this weekend ivolve heading back to the dales for a trail run on Saturday and maybe going to the "Salt Mills" here in leeds on Sunday. Hopefully the weather holds.

Anyways, I am having a great time and am looking forward to starting work on Monday. I'll let you know how that goes.