Chicago is the home of electric blues. The list of artists who have worked out of the city is long and impressive. Howlin’ Wolf, Buddy Guy, Chuck Berry, Etta James, Little Walter, Bo Diddley, Fontella Bass and of course Muddy Waters are just some of the hugely influential musicians who recorded here.

 

Fans from all over the world visit a modest building at 2120 South Michigan Avenue. This is the home of Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven. It used to be the office and studio of Chess Records.

 

 

 

It is reassuring to see how much Chicago appreciates its musical legacy. There are scores of venues where you can hear and enjoy blues and jazz until the wee small hours.Why not visit the Chicago Blues Festival? It is held every year in Millennium Park and it is free!

You just have to go.

 

I had never been to a baseball game so a visit to Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, was an essential part of my itinerary.

Wrigley Field is one of the oldest sports stadiums in the USA. It’s a little like visiting Lords or Wimbledon. There is so much history and tradition around the place.Much of the stadium is covered in trimmed ivy and it still has a hand turned scoreboard.

The day that I visited the weather was perfect, a cloudless sky, warm and no wind. Cubs played Philadelphia  Phillies. The atmosphere is just like test cricket. Fans arrive and are seated in good time for the start. Players enter the field of play to polite applause before a hush sweeps around the ground. When play starts everybody concentrates. Not much happens for the first hour but then fans develop a thirst and start visiting the bars and the toilets.

 

I had not appreciated how rarely the the ball is struck so when it is belted over the stands it is a moment to savour. It is a great day out. Games last for around 3 to 4 hours. Everybody is friendly and relaxed. It is a great way to meet the locals and share a beer with them.

 

Here are a couple of interesting citizens. On the left is Bullet B  and on the right wearing a cap is Loyalty. Both young men make their own music. They are trying to get their messages out by meeting the public face to face. Where better to hustle than on North Michigan Avenue, aka The Magnificent Mile, Chicago’s premier commercial district. You can find their music and videos on the net. Also, look out for their companion, Rio Stylez.

It was good to meet them. I admire their confidence and enterprise.

 

Chicago is well known for burgers and deep-dish pizza but you can find other places that serve healthy and tasty food at reasonable prices.  You are only ever a block or two away from somewhere nice to be refreshed and rested.

 

I enjoyed my breakfasts at The Kennison at Hotel Lincoln . There was lots of choice and some produce was obtained from the Farmers’ Market in Lincoln Park. Lots of fruit and berries.I don’t know why but American eggs seem to have so much flavour.

 

For a light brunch Toni Patisserie and Cafe is ideal. It is located at the end of Washington Street close to Michigan Avenue. It has a very continental vibe. Everything is fresh and the service is so quick. You can have a lovely meal and drink for less than $15.

If you ever miss the comfort of drinking nice tea then Peet’s Coffee shops can be found easily. They serve a grand cuppa. Sit at a table outside the shop on Michigan Avenue and watch the world go by.

Also worth a mention is Stan’s Donuts. There is such a selection of treats here that you will visit again. Don’t worry about your waistline,  you can take a walk around Millennium Park to burn off the calories.

Wherever you go service is first class and if you look carefully you will find places that offer good value.

 

 

 

Lincoln Park is a neighborhood about a mile north of downtown Chicago. The area edges Lake Michigan and its amenities include a large park, a zoo, a conservatory, several ponds, lots of wildlife, many independent shops, bars, cafes and restaurants as well as several theatres. At weekends it hosts a farmers’ market. You can safely walk,run or cycle along its miles of trails but best of all you can stroll along the lakeside beach. If you want to visit downtown then you only have to wait a few minutes for the next bus or train.

Hotel Lincoln is a lovely place to stay.Its features include a coffee shop, a fitness center, restaurants and a rooftop bar from where you can enjoy stunning views of the city, Lake Michigan and Lincoln Park. The rooms are comfortable and I can recommend breakfast in The Kennison restaurant. Most importantly the staff are friendly and helpful. I hope that Jessica is able to read this article and that one day you fulfill your wish to visit London.

 

Chicago.The Windy City. Home of the Electric Blues.It’s a great place to visit. It is the third most populated city of the USA yet despite its size it is really easy to get around and take in the sights.

There is so much to see.

Hundreds of skyscrapers are a major part of the cities heritage. Take in the views from the tops of the Willis and Hancock Towers. If you visit just before dusk you will see the city in daylight, at sunset and then at night when the illuminations are spectacular.

 

If you like museums and galleries you will be spoilt for choice. The Field Museum, The Museum of Science and Industry and The Adler Planetarium  entertain, educate and inspire visitors.However the must see site has to be the Art Institute of Chicago. Few galleries around the world can match its collections, especially the many rooms devoted to Impressionism. One room alone displays 18 paintings by Monet.

Situated by the shores of Lake Michigan the city skyline will amaze you.It’s a great place just to walk about. The sidewalks are wide and spotlessly clean.There are many parks and green spaces where you can relax and soak up the vibes. Public transport is excellent. Buy a CTA pass and you will have unlimited access to buses and trains in and around the city. The most satisfying journey has to be by boat along the Chicago River.Views of the architecture from this level are awesome.

Finding good food and drink is easy. There are many restaurants, bars and cafes on every block. For those of us who like a pint the city is home to many delicious craft beers.

There is so much to enjoy in Chicago. Great architecture, great parks, great museums, great sport and great food. However the greatest reward is when you meet the people who live  and work in the city. Citizens of Chicago are so friendly, welcoming and optimistic. When you meet them they make you feel good.

Some people think that Chicago is expensive but if you plan your trip you can find good deals. Remember to take a coat and be ready to be thrilled by one of the greatest cities in the world.

I am home from sweet Chicago.

Look out for the latest gubbins from the windy city.

Forthcoming attractions will include:

• An evening without Bruce Springsteen.
• The luxuries of Lincoln Park.
• All around The Globe. The best pub in the world.
• Hustling with young dudes along The Magnificent Mile.
• Bulls or Blackhawks. Who fights the hardest?
• Aussie soul sister stops Smokey in his tracks.
• Your kind of town: Chicago.
• Bears, Jets and Patriots. No chance of a lazy Sunday at Soldier Field.

See you very soon.

 

My father used to say that when finals came around Rugby League, fans had to look out for the W’s. This was very rational advice since so many team names begin with  the letter W.

This year’s Grand Final was contested by 2 of those teams. Warrington Wolves opposed the Wigan Warriors. I had hoped that the final would be Castleford Tigers v St Helens but Warrington and Wigan finished their seasons strongly and they provided a compelling final for us to enjoy.

In recent weeks Old Trafford has been a place for introspection  but on Saturday night it hosted athletes who don’t have egos and who always give everything for their club, their mates and their town.

You can’t hide when you play Rugby League. Any weakness is cruelly exposed. It is a sport that develops character and responsibility.  On Saturday there were heroes all over the pitch.

Ben Westwood is 37 years old and he is a veteran of over 500 games. Yet at such an age he is still prepared to smash and be smashed for Warrington Wolves.  Sean O’ Loughlin is also heading towards middle age but the Warriors skipper defies the years and consistently performs at the highest level for his club and country. Both men typify the modesty, humility and respect that athletes  need if they are to have long careers.

Dom Manfredi scored twice for Wigan. His impact on the game was critical. However his greatest triumph has been to fight back from knee reconstruction surgery twice. His Grand Final winners medal has been won the hard way. Warrington gave everything but their attack was not as good as Wigan’s defense.

It was a long drive home but it was worth it. A day in Manchester, a great game and fantastic Fish and Chips in Altrincham.

Thanks for joining me!

Hello everybody and welcome to my blog.

I hope that you will visit my site many times and that you will be informed and amused to find out where I have been and who I have met.

Coming soon on this site.

Look out for the W’s. A feature on this years Super League Grand Final.

Bulls, Cubs, Blackhawks, Bears and bars. The Chicago sports scene.

Otis v Elvis. Who is King of Memphis?

The perils of watching Manchester City.

A funny thing happened on my way to West Ham.

Please feel free to send me a message and express your own thoughts and opinions.

Gordon.