This past Monday was the third anniversary of when Lee and I first met in Liverpool at the Krazy House--a club with three dance floors. To celebrate, we stayed from Saturday to Sunday in the Adelphi Hotel which was originally built in 1826. But, like the Cavern Club where the Beatles played, the original doesn't exist anymore. The hotel is still fairly old, re-built in the same location from 1911 to 1914, and many famous people have stayed there. One of the rooms is even an exact replica of a room in the Titanic!
After we checked-in to the hotel, the queue (line, in America) for the lift (elevator, in America) was really long, so we decided to use the stairs. We ascended what we thought were the stairs, but ended up coming right back to the lounge where we started. Seeing no signs for "Stairs," we got in the queue for the lift.
For dinner that night, we went to Pizza Hut--you'd be surprised how many times I've had a craving for Pizza Hut even though I can count on one hand how many times I ate there in Ohio. The music was great, the endless side salads were great, and the people watching was great--all of these were so wonderful in fact that the only person who noticed we were waiting about 45 minutes for our meal was our waitress. She approached our table and told us, "Thank you for your patience. Sorry about the wait. When you're ready, I'd like to give you two desserts tonight for waiting so long." I didn't think this level of Americana customer service existed in the U.K., but I'm thankful it does! It was uplifting to see a waitress appreciating patient, forgiving customers and the chocolate chip cookie dough dessert warmed my heart, as well.
Our check-out time was 10 A.M. on Sunday, so we made our way to the lobby at around 9:45. We boarded the lift on the fifth floor and rode to the fourth, gathering a gaggle of three giddy girls. The five of us filled the tiny lift and so our stop on the third floor wasn't of much use to the two ladies waiting for a ride. The doors closed for their chance and we continued down to the second floor. Now, the second floor was where a fight almost broke out. The doors opened, and clearly there wasn't enough room for the two ladies waiting for a ride (yes, a new set of two ladies). So, our doors closed, then opened right away. The 'ladies in waiting' pushed the button too quickly after the doors closing, so the lift doors opened again to reveal the same duo. To this, one of the giddy girls exchanged some snotty words, telling the ladies that they have to wait longer to push the down button. Our doors closed and then, oops! Wouldn't you know it? We didn't move at all--we just found ourselves looking at the second floor ladies again. Needless to say, the outspoken girl shared more words with her second-floor buddy. Well, after this 'third times a charm' meeting, we finally were on our way to the first floor. Here, we left behind a middle-aged couple, but gained a hotel maid. Then, to our utter shock, the lift starting rising, and rising, and rising--all the way to the SIXTH floor! At this point, we just abandoned ship and found the illusive stairs by following the hotel maid and walked down to the main floor. (In Europe, the main or ground floor is referred to as such. In America, we call this the first floor.) And as I'm sure you're wondering: we checked-out exactly at 10 o'clock.
After some Christmas shopping in Liverpool, we headed to Waterloo to try 'the best' Mexican restaurant in the area. I didn't research Waterloo aside from where the restaurant La Parrilla is located. Before eating our enchilada, chimichanga, and pile of nachos, we walked along the gorgeous seaside, pristine parks, and brightly coloured beach town. Waterloo's lovely sights were a surprise to me since I wasn't sure what to expect. All of the Mexican food was delicious and our waiter even plopped sombreros on our heads toward the end of dinner. Waterloo looks and feels practically perfect and the people there were really friendly--another reassuring feeling contributing to a really great weekend.
A weekend out in England just wouldn't be complete without a little comedy mixed with life-in-danger action. As we were just about home, standing at a crosswalk, a huge crash rang through the air sending Lee and I rushing back and turning away from the noise in case a car was exploding--because that's the first thought that ran through my mind in conjunction with the sound. After screeching tires, honking horns, and cars going every which-way, we turned to see that a tin cart had rolled out the back of a van. Not as dramatic as I had imagined, but I was thankful that the drivers and ourselves were safe.
When we crossed the road, two boys came running toward us asking, "What was that?!"
"A cart fell out of the back of a car."
"A man?! Was it a man?!"
"No, a cart. You know, like a box on wheels."
"Oh, it looked like a man. I thought it was a man."
These kids were very discontented unless a man fell out of a car, so we stopped trying to relay the truth. And who knows? Maybe there was a man in the cart.
Then, they asked, "Do you know where the train station is?"
"Yes, if you walk down this road until the end--where all of the shops are--turn left and keep walking until you see the train station."
"I think it's this way." The station is in the general direction that he was pointing, but to give directions in his preferred way would require many twists and turns.
"Well, it's easier if you go down this street and turn left."
"No, I know it's this way."
Again, discontent with our help, these kids were finding their own way to the train station.
And our last riddle straight out of a scene from The Hobbit: "How much would a return ticket cost to Leyland?" This railway station is one stop out of Preston and kids get cheaper rates.
With this in mind, we guessed, "About £3."
"No, I think it's about £2."
"Okay, it's probably £2."
And with our last trial, the boys left and began talking about what fell out of the van.
Down the rest of the hill toward home, Lee and I kept laughing because we weren't sure why these kids even asked us any questions since they answered all of them and argued their answers against us. The boys seemed good-hearted and all of the excitement in a mere five minutes was actually a hilarious ending to a perfect anniversary weekend.
Below are some pictures and a recipe for your viewing and dining pleasure. Also, here's a link to Lee's latest creation for his company--it's a choose-your-own-adventure game on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1YenFTzli8
If you see Sammie Miles Davis, Jr. and Bella, give them my love.
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| The Adelphi--a room prepared for a wedding reception. |
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| The Grand Lounge in the Adelphi--this is where the stairs are hidden, in case you ever need to find them. |
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| The Adelphi--revolving doors and beautiful decor all around. |
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| The Krazy House--where Lee and I first met. |
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| Waterloo--scenes at the lake. Beyond the lake is the beach. |
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| Waterloo--more of the lake with some sail boats. |
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| Waterloo--at the park near the beach. |
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| Waterloo--the beach in November! Incredible. |
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| Waterloo--Lee doesn't mind sitting in the sand. I knelt beside him, but didn't commit to sitting completely. |
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| La Parrilla--we were the only two in there for lunch. |
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| La Parrilla--Hola Senor! |
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| La Parrilla--no matter where I go, it can turn awkward in a minute. Why did I get the gigantic hat? |
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| BEST LAMB DINNER Fix this anytime, but it's great for a Sunday dinner. Lee said this was the best-cooked meat he ever remembers tasting. Thank you, Martha Stewart! Garlic Roasted Leg of Lamb Serves 12 Prep Time 10 minutes Total Time 2 hours, 10 minutes 1/2 cup olive oil 10 garlic cloves salt and pepper 1 boned, rolled, and tied leg of lamb (about 7 pounds) 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a blender, process the oil, garlic, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper until smooth and emulsified, scraping down the sides as needed. 2. Place the lamb, fat side up, on a rack set on a roasting pan; spread garlic paste all over lamb. Roast in oven until a meal thermometer inserted into the the thickest part of the meat registers 135 degrees F for medium rare, about 2 hours. 3. Transfer lamb to a platter, and discard string; keep warm while you make the pan sauce. Slice the lamb just before serving. Lamb Pan Sauce Makes about 1 cup Prep/Total Time 15 minutes Dry red wine or water Chicken stock or reduced-sodium canned broth Salt 1. Pour 1 cup dry red wine or water into the roasting pan in which the lamb was cooked. 2. Place over medium heat, and scrape up browned bits from bottom of pan. 3. Add 1 cup chicken stock or reduced-sodium canned broth and 1/2 teaspoon salt; bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring, until liquid has reduced to 1.5 cups; about 10 minutes. Skim fat from surface, as needed. 4. Strain sauce into a gravy boat, and serve hot with sliced lamb. Smashed Potatoes Serves 8 Prep/Total Time 35 minutes 3 pounds new red potatoes 1 stick butter 3/4 cup milk Salt and pepper 3 tbs. chopped chives or scallion greens 1. In a medium saucepan, cover 3 pounds new red potatoes, cut into chunks, with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer until fork-tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and return to pot. 2. Add 1 stick butter, 3/4 cup milk, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to the potatoes. Using a potato masher or fork, mash potatoes until chunky. Mix in 3 tablespoons chopped chives or scallion greens. Serve garnished with more chopped chives. Oven-Roasted Asparagus Serves 4 Prep/Total Time 25 minutes 1.5 pounds asparagus Olive oil Salt and pepper 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. On a baking sheet, toss 1.5 pounds asparagus with 2 teaspoons olive oil, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of pepper. Spread in a single layer. 2. Roast until tender, 10 to 15 minutes, in oven. |
