On the Road Again with Merle

[Jack Black]

I'm not sure how accurate this is, but I'm told that my ancestors "Bradshaw" originally came 400 years ago from a small village of Bradshaw, which was near Bolton on the north-west side of Manchester. Have you ever been through that area? I was told there are ruins there of Castle Bradshaw. I was hoping some day to make a trip to see that part of England.

Looking forward to the activities that Merle will get to experience with you!

It's not an area I'm familiar with at all, but I think donn might know it

Bradshaw, Greater Manchester - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Jack Black]

Thursday is always a busy day for me, as I go down to my local market, in Leeds, where a pal of mine has a second-hand tool stall each week. I also have a bunch of other stuff on today, having expected Merle to arrive tomorrow, rather than yesterday. Sure enough, though, when I left the market, and headed over to my postal box, Merle was there waiting for me, so I went back into the city centre with him. Thanks to JTB_5 for sending Merle over

Here we are, outside Leeds Corn Exchange, on our way back to the market (don't worry I'll take Merle back for better pics)

We walked back through the market...

I found a table in the market Food Hall, where I could free Merle from his travel box. My Hartshead Barlow did the honours...

What a great-looking Barlow!

I figured that Merle would be hungry after his long journey, so I thought I should introduce him to a chip butty! Welcome to Yorkshire Merle

After the chips, we went outside, where my mate was busy tending his stall, and I introduced Merle, as I had done previously with both Earl, and Pearl

Checking Merle hasn't shrunk in transit!

Time to earn your keep Merle!

Here he is with the other knives I've been carrying today

I helped Merle unpack his travelling kit (cool pins btb01 )

Lots to do this evening, as I have my annual gas safety inspection at 8.00am tomorrow, but hopefully I will get a little time to get to know Merle, while he recovers from his trip across The Pond

 

[JohnDF]

Nice to see Merle starting his international tour.

If your buddy wasn't a WWE Wrestler, he should have been.

There we go, THAT's the picture I was waiting for.

 

[waynorth]

Thursday is always a busy day for me, as I go down to my local market, in Leeds, where a pal of mine has a second-hand tool stall each week. I also have a bunch of other stuff on today, having expected Merle to arrive tomorrow, rather than yesterday. Sure enough, though, when I left the market, and headed over to my postal box, Merle was there waiting for me, so I went back into the city centre with him. Thanks to JTB_5 for sending Merle over

Here we are, outside Leeds Corn Exchange, on our way back to the market (don't worry I'll take Merle back for better pics)

We walked back through the market...

I found a table in the market Food Hall, where I could free Merle from his travel box. My Hartshead Barlow did the honours...

What a great-looking Barlow!

I figured that Merle would be hungry after his long journey, so I thought I should introduce him to a chip butty! Welcome to Yorkshire Merle

After the chips, we went outside, where my mate was busy tending his stall, and I introduced Merle, as I had done previously with both Earl, and Pearl

Checking Merle hasn't shrunk in transit!

Time to earn your keep Merle!

Here he is with the other knives I've been carrying today

I helped Merle unpack his travelling kit (cool pins btb01 )

Lots to do this evening, as I have my annual gas safety inspection at 8.00am tomorrow, but hopefully I will get a little time to get to know Merle, while he recovers from his trip across The Pond

Nice to see Merle visiting "the Toolman"!! Hope his 1 inch finger never shrinks!!

 

[Jack Black]

Nice to see Merle starting his international tour.

If your buddy wasn't a WWE Wrestler, he should have been.

There we go, THAT's the picture I was waiting for.

LOL! He used to get mistaken for an old British wrestler (and actor) Brian Glover!

Nice to see Merle visiting "the Toolman"!! Hope his 1 inch finger never shrinks!!

When I am talking about him to other friends, I only ever refer to him as 'The Toolman'! Mind you, 10 years back, all the market traders used to call me 'The Knifeman'! Good point on the shrinking finger Charlie, I'll tell him to monitor the situation carefully!

 

[JohnDF]

When I am talking about him to other friends, I only ever refer to him as 'The Toolman'! Mind you, 10 years back, all the market traders used to call me 'The Knifeman'!

A very literal bunch.

 

[Jack Black]

Welcome to Yorkshire Merle!

 

[btb01]

Here we are, outside Leeds Corn Exchange, on our way back to the market (don't worry I'll take Merle back for better pics)

I thought for a second you were going for an interesting new take on the whole process.

I figured that Merle would be hungry after his long journey, so I thought I should introduce him to a chip butty! Welcome to Yorkshire Merle

I’m jealous! The Dandelion & Burdock is a nice touch, too.

…

When I am talking about him to other friends, I only ever refer to him as 'The Toolman'! Mind you, 10 years back, all the market traders used to call me 'The Knifeman'! Good point on the shrinking finger Charlie, I'll tell him to monitor the situation carefully!

The Toolman sure looks different than I remember…

Thanks for the great welcome to Yorkshire, Jack. I’m looking forward to seeing what you and Merle get up to!

 

[HST]

I love these threads.

 

[Magizm7]

Good to see Merle has survived his trip across the pond.
Enjoy your time together Jack

 

[Jack Black]

I thought for a second you were going for an interesting new take on the whole process.

LOL!

I’m jealous! The Dandelion & Burdock is a nice touch, too.

I always think of you when I have Dandelion & Burdock Barrett!

The Toolman sure looks different than I remember…

Thanks for the great welcome to Yorkshire, Jack. I’m looking forward to seeing what you and Merle get up to!

LOL! If you saw his diet, you'd know why! Thanks buddy, I need to stay in tomorrow morning, but after that I'll be taking Merle on some adventures

Good to see Merle has survived his trip across the pond.
Enjoy your time together Jack

Thank you kind sir

 

[Jack Black]

 

[BigKurtHaze]

There’s something floating in your whiskey!

 

[Jack Black]

There’s something floating in your whiskey!

That's why I'm drinking Jameson's, and not one of my Scottish malts!

 

[Prester John]

That's why I'm drinking Jameson's, and not one of my Scottish malts!

Sometimes I put ice in my bourbon (like now!), but not in the Scottish malts!

 

[Jack Black]

Sometimes I put ice in my bourbon (like now!), but not in the Scottish malts!

I think I'd use ice more if I lived in Texas Vince Sometimes I like some too, and a longer drink, and while I don't buy the cheapest Scotch, Irish whiskey is still reasonably priced here, and I don't think I'm adulterating it too much by occasionally adding some rocks. I certainly wouldn't add it to good Scotch!

 

[Magizm7]

If I am adding Irn Bru to my whisky I always add ice

 

[mbkr]

I'm a heretic. I like to sip single malt neat, but also like it with an ice cube in it.

 

[Jack Black]

I'm a heretic. I like to sip single malt neat, but also like it with an ice cube in it.

Fair enough There's worse things If you were up in a Scottish glen, you might find ice in your glass anyway

 

[Jack Black]

My Friday was disrupted by my annual mandatory gas safety inspection, which meant I had to stay in. The feller was supposed to come between 8.00am and 12.00pm, but didn't turn up I gave him half an hour, and then headed out, thinking I'd take a few pics in town. On my door-step, I stumbled over a package, which turned out to be a book on Fred Burnham. I'll bet that delivery driver was never a Boy Scout, anymore than the gas engineer

In town, I realised I'd gone out without my phone, so I didn't stay too long.

I passed through the market again...

Leeds oldest street, Kirkgate (the road leading to the church)...

A well-known Leeds cutler, Croisdale, started here. I have a few of their knives. The background photo shows Briggate, where Croisdale moved after Kirkgate, by which time they were having knives made in Sheffield.

After crossing Kirkgate, I came to the Corn Exchange again, and went inside for 5 minutes.

Looking back to the markets...

Briggate today.

One of Leeds' many Victorian shopping arcades.

Hopefully I can get out of Leeds tomorrow