Late autumn in Manchester

We've returned from our visit 'up north', catching up with family - in fact, we managed to see all the immediate family this time and it was lovely to meet up with them and hear all their news.

So, a few quick photos of what we did:

A visit to Manchester at this time of the year is never complete without a trip to the Christmas Market, which wends its way through the main squares and streets of the city.  It's always bustling, and there's plenty to see, eat and drink!  The mulled wine (or Gluhwein) with a little tot of something extra was very warming indeed!   

I always visit a fantastic fabric and craft shop when I'm in Manchester, and finally struck lucky with some fabric to finish the 30th birthday quilt.  Abakhan has a wonderful selection of fabric for all sorts of dressmaking and crafts and I could very easily have bought yards for various projects.  However, I've already got so many projects either on the go or waiting to be started, that buying yet more yardage would have overwhelmed me.  Sensible head ruled, for once.  There's always the next visit ;-)

We had a wander through the shopping centre (looking that is, not buying) and a bit of a crowd in a book shop attracted our attention.  Edging a little closer, we spotted none other than Mark Cavendish, cyclist extrordinaire, signing books.  Couldn't resist a quick snap.

The weather held up well for us, and we had a lovely walk through Heaton Park.  We climbed up to the commemorative stone which marks the visit in 1982 of Pope John Paul II:

There are so far-reaching views from the top across to the Pennines in the distance:

and we were enchanted by this little fellow, who was keen to take advantage of a few peanuts to stash away for winter:

 

The grey squirrel is larger than the red squirrel which we have on the Island; I hope he can remember where he hid his secret food reserves in amongst all these leaves!