“That’s the best Curry I have had in 44 years,” I said. The waiter, quite possibly the owner of the Kashmir Restaurant in Bradford gave me one of those looks. I’m kinda used to them by now. He appeared to be thinking. ‘This bloke been locked up somewhere? Maybe he doesn’t like Curry? Maybe he’s just mad?’
I know that look, so I have learned to follow up my statements fairly quickly. I explained I had left Bradford 44 years ago and the Kashmir still does the best Meat Curry and 3 Chapattis known to man, ‘to be honest it’s a bit of a toss up between you and the Karachi,’ I thought but didn’t share. This was our final night of the Bradford research trek and it was my treat. In 1976 it would have cost me 60p for our meal for two, tonight it was Β£15, so still a bargain.
Earlier in the day I had checked us in at the Great Victoria Hotel. The villain (likable villain may I say) in the book uses this place a lot, so I thought I would have lots of questions for the staff about how the layout had changed since 1974 but thankfully not a lot had changed apart from the drink prices. This in itself was a blessing because most of the staff looked as though they hadn’t been born until 2004.
The hotel, built in 1850 by the railway company, is an admirable example of Victorian architecture and typical of the ‘Stone City.’
The following day was spent investigating more old haunts, the Princess was curious about a sign that stated. ‘Anti Social Car Behaviour will be prosecuted.’ I explained that the council was trying to stop kerb crawling and people having sex with prostitutes at the side of the road. Well c’mon this is Manningham. So all in all a good bit of research and reassuring that after 44 years, not much has changed.
60p for a curry for two? π± Crikey, Charlie! ππ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, that was in 1976, it was 19p for a packet of cigarettes and 13p for a pint of beer, so Β£15 for two curries 44 years later is pretty good π
LikeLiked by 1 person
You wouldn’t have got that in London in 1976. You’re right – Β£15 today is still a bargain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The last time I had a Curry in London was about 10 years ago and it was over Β£100 for the two of us. But it was Chutney Maryβs lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like the research is fun, Charlie. The best curry I ever had was in Bradford too. Good luck with the book.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Pete, think it would be good to do a curry tour of Bradford, when I win the lottery, except I donβt do it, hmmm π
LikeLike
Love a great curry restaurant.. Found one in Armenia last year.. π
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow that must have been: interesting? π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Certainly delicious.. we ate there twice.. π
LikeLiked by 2 people
My knowledge of Indian food is minimal. Iβve meant to investigate it, and one of these days I will, hopefully.
Neil S.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You wonβt be disappointed, there is so much diversity, thank you for reading π
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m enjoying your research, Charlie; and I too would have had to ask about ‘that’ sign!
I’m becoming more and more intrigued about this book of yours. A likeable villain eh! Sounds a bit like you, Charlie. Now, that research is much more easily accessible… A mirror is all that’s needed.
xoxoxo
LikeLiked by 2 people
Haha, thank you Carolyn but I am Billy there again I guess there are little bits of me in them all π Iβll tell you what though, this research malarkey is bloody hard work. I can see why these top writers employ people. I spent half a day studying the cotton industry of Afghanistan and India for three sentences ππ
LikeLiked by 1 person
I kinda like that you’ve felt the need to do the research. You’re right; the good writers do this in order for ‘realism’.
If you really want something, as I believe you do, it takes hard work to achieve. Makes the journey, and the success, so much more sweet. You know you’ve put in the hard yards.
Loving this!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nice to see a little bit of India there.
And things are same after 44 years – quite a feat!
And I’ve written a little about Kashmiri food here – https://neelstoria.wordpress.com/2018/10/23/a-day-at-srinagar/
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, thereβs quite a bit of Indian culture/history in the book. Iβll be investigating the link as Iβve always been a massive fan of Indian and Mexican food and found myself drifting more and more towards vegetarian dishes. I do wonder though; there appears to be more spices in vegetarian dishes. At least they are tastier and I wondered if this was a purposeful thing to make up for the absence of meat?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It isn’t to make up for the absence of meat. Indian food is always very flavourful. Cuisines in certain parts have no connection with meat at all, so making up for something unknown is highly unlikely. I think its got to do more with the weather we have here than anything else. Hotter climates usually have more spicy cuisines.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Woo! Curry. Warm going in…warm coming out. π³
Kerb crawling? Sex on the side of the road? Good Lord… Heathens.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha, love the response, I canβt remember which comedy programme it was, but there was a line where someone suggested putting the toilet roll in the fridge before they went out for a Curry. π Manningham in Bradford has always been a known prostitution area and it was a very affluent area in the Victorian Mill owners days π
LikeLike
I think I’ve heard that suggestion, before.
Sounds like the affluence wound up on the “curb”. LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Week π
LikeLiked by 1 person
You too, βDespite,β all that is happening π
LikeLiked by 1 person
You canβt often say that about going back somewhere and it being as good a month later, let alone 44 years. Impressive. I like the interior of the hotel, retaining itβs old world charm. Iβll be honest, when you said antisocial car behaviour I thought of boy racers zooming around or people tooting the national anthem on their horns. For once my mind was quite clean and hadnβt even considered prostitution! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha thank you Caz, I believe The Midland is a better hotel but it was in decline in 1974 so the character wouldn’t have gone there lol.
As for the anti sociable sign its understandable, you don’t strike me as a girl who does consider prostitution lol. Thanks for your comments and hope your well X
LikeLiked by 1 person
The curry looks too yummy!!! Indian food is one of my favorites.
I hope you had an enjoyable stay, Charlie.π
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did thank you, yes Bradford is sometimes known as the Curry capital of England, so much diversity. Thanks for reading π
LikeLike
Wow the hotel and the food looked amazing. Nice photography. Love π Joni
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Midland is actually a better quality hotel (built in the same era) but my book is set in 1974 and the Midland had fallen into disarray at that time, Still, they have kept the old Vic at an acceptable level π Thank you for reading and commenting π
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure and thank you for your kind reading of my blog. You have been very generous about reading my work. I really enjoyed your photo work as well. Looked like a great older beauty to me. Stay safe my friend. Love J
LikeLiked by 1 person