Ferris Wheels, Bombings and a Guy on a Ledge

Last week me and the fam hit the road to Sheffield to take care of some super-neato immigration stuff, like getting fingerprinted, photographed and de-loused. (That last one maybe didn't happen.) While I was disappointed that Def Leppard was not there to greet us with an enthusiastic rendition of Rock of Ages as we entered the city centre, I did get to see a giant ferris wheel, like the London Eye, in what I think is Castle Square. Without Joe Elliot to guide me I can only guess. I think at the time there were two people on it. This is probably one of the few times where having something all to yourself might feel more awkward than awesome. This reminds me of the time me and my younger brother were at the local death trap carnival and we went in that ride that's like a ferris wheel but it has those cages that spin. Well, we were probably too small, I think we were about seven and ten years old, but the guy let us on anyway. My brother was definitely too small and slipped under the 'safety' bar when the cage started to roll and he was getting tossed around that thing like a lone tube sock in the dryer. He's screaming "Aughhh aughhh" and I'm screaming "Stop! Stop! Stop the ride!" while the carnie is thinking "Oh man, this Du Maurier sure tastes sweet."

There wasn't a whole lot of history - relatively speaking as this is England - to capture in the town centre as the poor city was bombed by the Germans in the 1940s. So the architecture is mostly a mishmash of what was borne of later decades with a smattering of charming 18th and 19th century buildings, maybe some older. We were in and out so I didn't get a chance to see what else the city had to offer but the countryside is really beautiful. And there are wild daffodils along the entire highway! And not one single, errant shoe.

 

 

There's an unusual sculpture hanging out high on the corner of the Co-op building that greets you when you come into the city instead of Def Leppard. I don't know who it is but this elongated figure sure grabs your attention:

 

Comments

[WendyB]

OMG, that description of your brother's misadventure is highlarious!

[Paulina]

Your photos of the Ferris Wheel look so ethereal and dreamy. Makes me want to ride one to fairyland!

Also... your poor brother, even though it is kind of funny!! I hope he isn't completely terrified of ferris wheels now.

[Marta]

I love the colours in these pictures! And you've got such a funny way of telling a totally terrifying story! Hope all the immigration papers went well...
xxx

[Louise Wragg]

hello
re errant shoe you must have missed the one on the way into the centre which has been there for months!

I loved your ferris wheel story!

Its a shame it was only a quick visit as you missed the chance to go on eccasall road, there are some great little shops up that way!

[Denise @ Swelle]

Thanks for your lovely comments, and rest assured that my brother was ok!

Louise - I will keep that in mind should we find ourselves in Sheffield. Thanks!

Denise ♥