Leith Walk – Bread Bin

What a waste…

WithWood on Tour.

WithWood is heading away today, just around the corner to Glasgow.

So what’s on the menu?

1. Burger King

2. Train

3. Glasgow

4. Arcade Fire

Expect a report about each.

Hot, or not?

With William on a year long mission researching queueing procedures in the Congo, I felt obliged to visit Greggs for a sandwich, sausage roll and a Queue (it’s what he would have wanted).

If William has taught me one thing, it’s that Greggs is always an excellent choice for queueing, something exciting often happens – today was no exception.

I approached the counter and pretended to decide what I wanted. I already knew what I was going to have, but didn’t want them to know this, I decided on my order during the four hours building up to lunch. It’s a great way of passing time, during the first 30 minutes of work you think about where you will eat, the next 30 minutes is used to decide what type of bread you will have, try to spend an hour thinking about the fillings (you wouldn’t want to get this wrong), the next hour should be used to brainstorm side dishes (spider diagrams are very useful at this stage), then use 30 minutes to plan desserts and drinks. Any remaining time should be spent reviewing your list and planning your speech to save time when you get to the sandiwch artist.

Chicken club sandwich and a sausage roll please, no, I don’t need a bag – thanks though.

Whilst waiting for the Greggette to serve me I decided to do a bit of eavesdropping, this was made extremely difficult by the man who placed both hands on the pie window and shouted his demands:

“I want something hot, what’s HOT?”

The Greggette  started to list the hot options.

“Sausage Rolls, Steak Bakes, Chicken Bakes…….”

“Yes, yes, I’ll have those, give me those”

He seemed very excited, but who wouldn’t be, what a feast! He took his selection of meat treats and ran off into the sunset. The man made me wonder if I wanted something else, he had a wide selection, should I have more? Could I be so unadventurous?

Yes.

I asked for my sausage roll and took a walk.

I took one bite into my sausage roll I had a little surprise, it wasn’t hot at all. That guy must have been so disappointed, not me though, I still had my sandwich to look forward to.

Next time on WithWood:

A world with vision, a boots meal deal, a walk to the ocean, and hopefully…. the tale of the winning scratch card. 

Fleur’s Deli, Leith

I have been in an explorative mood recently, desiring a whole new sandwich and sitting lunch experience.

When I want to be inspired I visit my muse for advice. As a Leith resident he is able to advise me on the best course of action for almost any predicament.

So, what were his words of wisdom?

“Go to Fleur’s Deli”

I only had 30 minutes left for lunch. I was a little worried that I wouldn’t have time, but my muse assured me that:

“You will”

Off I went, with nothing but excitement in my stomach.

It was in the part of Leith which I haven’t featured much on my blog. Perhaps I should venture here more often, it’s pretty special and harbours Edinburgh’s best boat/restaurant.

In the Deli everything went very smoothly, there were a wide selection of fillings, friendly sandwich artists, great pieces and the tastiest sandwiches in town.

As a fan of superheroes, I opted for the super submarine. It was probably the most expensive thing on the menu, which I thought would also mean the biggest.

I think I was right – it was bigger than my face…

… so big that it wouldn’t shut, I had to use the baguette as a plate, picking the bits out until it could close.

My muse had assured me that I would have enough time, but this was definitely not a quick sandwich.

My recent curious nature prompted me to walk with the rest of my sandwich down by the river. I thought it would be quieter and decrease any embarrassment caused by the dripping mayonnaise. At one point I was sure I could hear the ducks laughing at me as some mayonnaise dripped onto my trousers.

It wasn’t the ducks, they didn’t even care, it was a group of youths, out of school, causing mayhem no doubt.

This was the one thing I didn’t want to happen, that and having a white stain on my trousers when I got back to work (which I got back to on time).

Fleur’s Deli: 4 ½ Woods

Meal or No Deal

All my eggs were in one boots basket.

I wanted a meal deal, a boots meal deal. I had done this so many times before, who would have thought it would have been so difficult today.

I took a walk to remember down Junction Street and noticed all was not well in Leith. Bins had blown across the pavement, dog toffee had started to wash away in the rivers that were quickly forming, and Scottish water was slowly rising through a large hole in the road.

I didn’t care about the wind and rain, I struggled down to the Ocean, ran into boots, picked up my innocent smoothie, my chocolate bar and… What? Where were the sandwiches???

Aparently the weather had made it impossible for Boots to get any sandwiches.

Although I was unhappy about the lack of meals, I did get some enjoyment. Whilst taking photos I had the pleasure of seeing numerous people select the ingredients for their deal and then suffer immense disappointment when they read the sign.

Who would have thought that a small flood on Junction Street would risk me my dinner. Luckily, Derricks was not far away, and I knew that a little rain would not stop them from making me a pork sandwich.

Take a Seat

“A sandwich should never be eaten on foot” The Earl of Sandwich

Luckily the Leith council knew about this and provided the residents with a plethora of seats. As well as the standard benches designed for four, Leith also provides seats for the solitary – ideal when you want to eat your sandwich in peace.

There’s nothing worse than someone sitting next to you, your chicken club sandwich and sausage roll. Not only do you have to attempt to eat quietly but you also have to endure small talk with your newly acquired company. They usually open with a statement about the how nice it is to sit down, but they always have the same intention, they’ll want to know more about the sandwich. Where did you get it? How much did it cost? Can I have the cucumber you took out?

This is where seats made for one come in handy, here are three of my personal favourites:

1. The Iron Man Bench

When sitting on this bench you are able to give the impression of actually having company, which is perfect when trying to discourage unwanted visitors.

2. Fish-Boat-Seat

As well as being a popular tourist attraction the fish-boat…

… is also a very cosy seat. More of a throne than a seat.

3. Office Nature Chair

And for those who like nature and the an ability to spin:

The Earl of Sandwich was right – luckliy in Leith nobody has to worry.

Got To Get To Derricks.

A free Christmas pie with every baguette! William and I were overwhelmed by Greggs’ Christmas spirit, which resulted in many repeat visits.

© Standinaqueue 2006

Until one day one of the Greggettes did not give me my free Christmas pie, I couldn’t ask for it because there were too many people listening to my order. Don’t make her walk back to the sweet section, don’t hold up the queue, don’t make a fuss in Leith, don’t want people to know that the only reason I wanted a baguette from Gregg was because there was a free gift. It was a good baguette, but I needed a pie.

The next day I thought I would give Gregg one more chance, upon my arrival I noticed the sign had gone. It was barely even November and the free Christmas pie was no more. Then I saw it.

The free pie offer was a cunning scheme – how dare you Gregg. Like a drug dealer giving free heroin with every baguette, Gregg was trying to get us hooked and then sell them once we needed our fix. Luckily I only had a total of two this month, so I am classed as a recreational user. I look back on the day the Greggette forgot my pie. How lucky I was.

No I don’t. Not now, not ever.

Where then? Where to eat???

Gregg’s older Scottish brother – Derrick. My new one stop shop for sandwiches, no meal deals, no free pies, just low low prices and a very simple selection.

The prices were a little strange at first, a pork roll was 55 or 80 with salad. 55 what? The Derrickette asked for 80 pences (I opted for salad). Unbelievable, Derricks Takeaway has been untouched by the knife of inflation and spread with the butter of value.

With this kind of a saving I can buy my Christmas Pies from Marks and Spencers and still have money left for a twix’tra.

Tomorrow I will eat two sandwiches.

Ocean Terminal II

On a rainy day like today Junction street offers little protection, so instead I venture to the terminal with the aim of exploration.

Moments into my journey I meet a celebrity shopper, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (father of Brum). He was a bit of an arse to be honest, he wouldn’t give me an autograpgh – think he was a bit drunk.

I was disappointed so looked for further enjoyment.

I found it in the form of a a restaurant specialising in cans of Baxters soup. I selected Scotch broth and a straw to takeaway and stood over the ocean.

Ocean terminal – prés de l’ocean.

I enjoyed the terminal much more on the higher levels, I think I will visit again.

Thornton’s Dog Toffee

My lunch today was made more energetic than it had to be.

The vast amount of dog toffee meant I had to hop, skip and jump my way to the sandwich shop.

“Leith has a higher DTpm² than anywhere else in Edinburgh”

Ewan Mcgregor

Ewan was right, it is quite a problem. I plan to do something about it, would you like to help?

My worries soon washed away as it started to rain and the toffee began to melt.

A paper and a sandwich was my lunchtime plan, not too difficult one may think. I thought I would tackle the issue of the paper to begin with.

The first newsagents I went to only sold tabloids and looked at me very strangely when I asked for the Guardian, I already had a free metro I decided against buying what was on offer. I was sure that the second NEWS store would to be able to help me.

But on closer inspection I soon realised that the NEWS shop could not help.
Instead of selling ‘the news’ the shop had something much more exciting.

Bags and Dolls. I gave up on the NEWS and made a move towards my sandwich shop. I selected Popeye’s Sandwich Bar directly opposite Greggs (sorry will).

I was shocked to find no Spinach Sandwiches and upset to hear Popeye was away for the weekend.

“I’m strong to the finish cos I eat my Chicken Tikka with Salad Sandwich“doesn’t really have the same effect – but it was very tasty.

I saved money by not buying the paper, so decided to get a Twix instead. Much tastier than a paper and the packaging was quite interesting to read.

On my way back the road impressed me yet again, I found out that as well as a meat heaven there is also

I noticed that as well as being a Fruiterer, Fruit Heaven was also a newsagents. I bet they had the Guardian.

My Twix’xtra wasn’t as appealing once I realised how much it looked like the dog toffees from earlier.

Still ate it though.

Leila’s Meat Free Burger

I have been inundated with e-mails about Leila’s meat free burger.

Well here it is:

We didn’t keep the burger, it is an old photo – in today’s modern world everything is documented.