A few days in Manchester

We've just returned from visiting N's father in Manchester.  The weather was really good - usually we expect grey damp days up there, but this time the sun shone and we were able to get out and about.  

The Lowry Centre 

Media City - the BBC'c centre in the north - at Salford Quays

We enjoy riding on the tram system, and don't have any problems catching a bus to get into the city - we reckon transport costs are very reasonable compared to where we live.  Manchester has some wonderful buildings reflecting it's industrial heritage, and I have a special fondness for the old railway buildings - the interior of Victoria railway station is just beautiful.

The original ticket offices in Manchester Victoria station

Bridges over water and for rail - taken in the Castlefields area of the city by the canal

It was also good to spend some time with G - he's 85 now and we all appreciate the opportunity to get together when we can.  There's always a good deal of reminiscing done on these visits.

Father and son - I love this photo

I had a wonderful surprise phone call from my son while we were there; he and J are having a fantastic time in NZ, and he was still bubbling with excitement over the engagement, as am I ;)  They are hoping to have an engagement party over Easter and wanted to check we were free.  It will be lovely to see them and share in their happiness.

Although we quite enjoy wandering around the city, we're not shoppers.  I think we are probably in a minority!  We will shop if we actually need something, but neither of us 'needs' the buzz of collecting shopping bags.  However, it is fascinating to see so many young women all looking the same; 'clones' of the latest fashion trends.  Clothes, hair, make-up, shoes - it's all the same look.  It seems there's no individuality nowadays, everyone has to conform.  Whenever we visit Manchester, I do get the feeling of being different, both in how I dress and my attitude towards money and spending.  I am conscious that I don't cake my face in make-up, have extensions in my bleached/dyed hair, and wear the fashions and labels that I apparently should.  I have decided, however, that there is a certain freedom in bucking the trend, and that is fine by me.  

I am going to make a confession now.  Although we didn't eat out at lunchtime, we did indulge in a hot chocolate.  When we thought about it afterwards, we realised that we had willingly spent almost £12 for four mugs of chocolate!!   That's unbelieveable!!  

We always have a look around the food market in the Arndale Centre on our visits.  There is a wonderful fresh fish counter which has us green with envy.  It would be fantastic to have that range of fish available here, and at those prices.  At the market in Bury (we always take a trip on the tram) there are fruit and vegetables, and fresh meat and fish, all at great prices.  And at Sainsbury's, we saw a wide range of flours and rice available in bulk, again at really good prices.  We can't get that here.  Every time we visit, it reaffirms our belief that we could live very well very cheaply there.  Next time I think we may take a spare bag for goodies!

Now we are back home and picking up the reins where we left off.  I managed to do my monthly accounts, bake bread, make another batch of biscuits, and do a load of washing.  N let me be his assistant chef this evening, and together we made jeera rice, Bombay potatoes and chicken curry, all from scratch.  Delicious!