I didn't get to Manchester yesterday......and I'm glad. I had intended to go at lunchtime and come back for teatime.
Well, if today is anything to go by it wouldn't have happened...the getting home for tea, I mean.
I was on the 10.05 bus this morning, and I didn't get back to my house until 5.35pm.
And I didn't do the shops......well, I lie, I went into the Arndale for a sanger and a coffee and coming down the escalator I realised that we had no Paracetamol at home....so I went into that Beauty on a budget store and bought two packs..... a princely 50p......for both.
I walked for miles.......I went into the Cathedral......was not impressed with that at all. They have modern stained glass windows that look like the cat's been sick......I like the stained glass to tell me a story....and this, in the main, just said Bleughhh!
Though there was one scary window, in reds and orange colours tha looked like a representation of the hobs of hell.......no, they may have cost losts of money, they may be modern, but I don't rate them at all.
I walked around the green area that is infront of Chethams School of Music.......it was late morning..........it was lovely to see folk out and enjoying this green space.
I then set off to walk in the direction of Market Street........I was accosted by a lady in a red tee shirt, emblazoned with the logo
'Shelter'.......she was chatting away merrily, asking me what I was going to be doing in Manchester........I told her that my mission was to gaze skyward at the lovely old architecture, the carved stone, the gargoyles....and that some of these might just feature in the photo's that I planned to take....then she remembered that she was there to separate me from my money.......she was going to have a job seeing as I hadn't taken any...well, just enough to buy me a butty and a drink, but that was it.
No, she didn't want me to cough up with cash money.....she wanted me to commit to giving a fixed sum each month.
I very politely(but firmly) declined explaining that times were tough, and that we already subscribe to three charities on a regular basis.....Cancer Research, St John's Ambulance, and British Heart Foundation.
I also told her that when we can, we also give donations to the guys who sell the Big Issue...we don't take the mag, but give the price of the Mag to the lads(hubby has a couple of lads who he looks out for each time we go into Manchester......and he gives them money and then buys them a hot drink and a butty as well). I told her that we appreciated the good work that Shelter does for these guys and other folk who are down on their luck, and I would consider giving a donation, but cannot commit to another long term charity organisation. I told her that both hubby and I are retired so we have a limited and fixed income.
She was very understanding and wished me a pleasant day.
I took myself across the road to St Ann's Square......and into the church.......it was cool and calm, and the organ was playing quietly in the background. Lovely!
I had a few quiet moments here and lit candles for a couple of folk who could do with a bit of help......this is something that Ma encourages me to do.......I always do one for my Dad.
I spent a few moments looking at the glass windows in this church....much more to my taste.
When I came out of the church there was a young lass singing beautifully in St Ann's Square......so I plonked my BTM down on one of the stone benches and listened for a while.
I was in the shade of a tree, there were office and shop workers all around me, eating their butties, and making the most of their sunny lunch break......all very civilised.
Then I took myself over to the Triangle side of the Arndale. I have been promising myself a ride on the Manchester version of the London eye.
I had checked out the cost on the internet £6.50.....so I had that money in the front of my camera bag........anyway I was standing in the queue to pay when one of the young men who oversee the crowds(there weren't any today, so he was at a loose end) came over and asked me if I was the owner of a bus pass......he said he wasn't trying to say that I looked elderly or anything....but he knew I wasn't 21.
I told him that I did indeed have a bus pass....so he told me to show it when i got to the front of the queue and it would save me £1.50 (which is how I came to be able to buy myself an overpriced bottle of Fanta).
I thanked him for saving me that money....and had my bus pass out when I got to the payment window.
I enjoyed the ride, but the windows could have done with a bit of Windolene......I did try to take a few aerial shots, but I don't think they are really that interesting....and I did have to take care when trying to shoot the pics as the windows were smeary.
Once the ride was over, I headed over towards Deansgate.
I walked along Deansgate....there is a building along there that intrigues me.....it is made of a sort of Terracotta coloured brick and it has tall chimneys on the front of the building.
I walked up Portland Street......and turned into Nicholas St (I think) and took a picture of the Chinese arch.......then I walked towards the Town Hall, but instead of going across Albert Square.........I walked along the back side of it(maybe Princess St)......past the Peace Gardens, and the Cloisters and towards the Library.
The building puts me in mind of the Royal Albert Hall in London, OK, it is a different colour, but that is what it reminds me of.
I walked down past The Midland Hotel.....I didn't see anyone famous or interesting lurking about......then I took a couple of Pictures in St Peter's Square........though the place is currently littered with orange and white barriers......they are doing things to the tramway system all over the city.
Then I made my way back up toward Chorlton Street.
I was overtaken by my bus, and being more than a little hot and tired I couldn't break into a double shuffle....it took me all my time to do a single shuffle....and I figured that there was going to be another bus in about 30 minutes.
Missing that bus gave me an opportunity to have a look down Canal St........folks were taking the air and some beer as well.....it all looked very enjoyable......a nice glass of amber liquid with condensation on the side.......it made me realise that I was quite thirsty. I could have quaffed back one of those beers very nicely, but I don't like going into pubs when I am on my own.......don't ask me why, it is like eating in the street, I can't do that either.....well, perhaps chips out of a paper after dark, or on the front at Blackpool.
I know......I'm a strange bird.
Instead of a beer I went across to the bus station and paid a ludicrous £1.45 for a bottle of Fanta(I had to copper up....which might have had something to do with why I didn't go for a beer).......I was as dry as a camel's armpit and glugged a good third of it down. Then waited for my bus.
I had a lovely day......I enjoyed every minute of it........I walked for miles....well, 23km according to my pedometer....I don't know what that is in English money, but my feet tell me it is a fair step.
I looked out for Jen doing her garden, both going to Manchester, and coming home......Jen I would've waved, but I didn't see you chuck.
Did I fondle the camera?.........No, I looked at it from outside the shop......does that count as worshipping from afar?
PS. I will put some pictures up when I have taken them off the camera.....then you can see for yourself
Well, if today is anything to go by it wouldn't have happened...the getting home for tea, I mean.
I was on the 10.05 bus this morning, and I didn't get back to my house until 5.35pm.
And I didn't do the shops......well, I lie, I went into the Arndale for a sanger and a coffee and coming down the escalator I realised that we had no Paracetamol at home....so I went into that Beauty on a budget store and bought two packs..... a princely 50p......for both.
I walked for miles.......I went into the Cathedral......was not impressed with that at all. They have modern stained glass windows that look like the cat's been sick......I like the stained glass to tell me a story....and this, in the main, just said Bleughhh!
Though there was one scary window, in reds and orange colours tha looked like a representation of the hobs of hell.......no, they may have cost losts of money, they may be modern, but I don't rate them at all.
I walked around the green area that is infront of Chethams School of Music.......it was late morning..........it was lovely to see folk out and enjoying this green space.
I then set off to walk in the direction of Market Street........I was accosted by a lady in a red tee shirt, emblazoned with the logo
'Shelter'.......she was chatting away merrily, asking me what I was going to be doing in Manchester........I told her that my mission was to gaze skyward at the lovely old architecture, the carved stone, the gargoyles....and that some of these might just feature in the photo's that I planned to take....then she remembered that she was there to separate me from my money.......she was going to have a job seeing as I hadn't taken any...well, just enough to buy me a butty and a drink, but that was it.
No, she didn't want me to cough up with cash money.....she wanted me to commit to giving a fixed sum each month.
I very politely(but firmly) declined explaining that times were tough, and that we already subscribe to three charities on a regular basis.....Cancer Research, St John's Ambulance, and British Heart Foundation.
I also told her that when we can, we also give donations to the guys who sell the Big Issue...we don't take the mag, but give the price of the Mag to the lads(hubby has a couple of lads who he looks out for each time we go into Manchester......and he gives them money and then buys them a hot drink and a butty as well). I told her that we appreciated the good work that Shelter does for these guys and other folk who are down on their luck, and I would consider giving a donation, but cannot commit to another long term charity organisation. I told her that both hubby and I are retired so we have a limited and fixed income.
She was very understanding and wished me a pleasant day.
I took myself across the road to St Ann's Square......and into the church.......it was cool and calm, and the organ was playing quietly in the background. Lovely!
I had a few quiet moments here and lit candles for a couple of folk who could do with a bit of help......this is something that Ma encourages me to do.......I always do one for my Dad.
I spent a few moments looking at the glass windows in this church....much more to my taste.
When I came out of the church there was a young lass singing beautifully in St Ann's Square......so I plonked my BTM down on one of the stone benches and listened for a while.
I was in the shade of a tree, there were office and shop workers all around me, eating their butties, and making the most of their sunny lunch break......all very civilised.
Then I took myself over to the Triangle side of the Arndale. I have been promising myself a ride on the Manchester version of the London eye.
I had checked out the cost on the internet £6.50.....so I had that money in the front of my camera bag........anyway I was standing in the queue to pay when one of the young men who oversee the crowds(there weren't any today, so he was at a loose end) came over and asked me if I was the owner of a bus pass......he said he wasn't trying to say that I looked elderly or anything....but he knew I wasn't 21.
I told him that I did indeed have a bus pass....so he told me to show it when i got to the front of the queue and it would save me £1.50 (which is how I came to be able to buy myself an overpriced bottle of Fanta).
I thanked him for saving me that money....and had my bus pass out when I got to the payment window.
I enjoyed the ride, but the windows could have done with a bit of Windolene......I did try to take a few aerial shots, but I don't think they are really that interesting....and I did have to take care when trying to shoot the pics as the windows were smeary.
Once the ride was over, I headed over towards Deansgate.
I walked along Deansgate....there is a building along there that intrigues me.....it is made of a sort of Terracotta coloured brick and it has tall chimneys on the front of the building.
I walked up Portland Street......and turned into Nicholas St (I think) and took a picture of the Chinese arch.......then I walked towards the Town Hall, but instead of going across Albert Square.........I walked along the back side of it(maybe Princess St)......past the Peace Gardens, and the Cloisters and towards the Library.
The building puts me in mind of the Royal Albert Hall in London, OK, it is a different colour, but that is what it reminds me of.
I walked down past The Midland Hotel.....I didn't see anyone famous or interesting lurking about......then I took a couple of Pictures in St Peter's Square........though the place is currently littered with orange and white barriers......they are doing things to the tramway system all over the city.
Then I made my way back up toward Chorlton Street.
I was overtaken by my bus, and being more than a little hot and tired I couldn't break into a double shuffle....it took me all my time to do a single shuffle....and I figured that there was going to be another bus in about 30 minutes.
Missing that bus gave me an opportunity to have a look down Canal St........folks were taking the air and some beer as well.....it all looked very enjoyable......a nice glass of amber liquid with condensation on the side.......it made me realise that I was quite thirsty. I could have quaffed back one of those beers very nicely, but I don't like going into pubs when I am on my own.......don't ask me why, it is like eating in the street, I can't do that either.....well, perhaps chips out of a paper after dark, or on the front at Blackpool.
I know......I'm a strange bird.
Instead of a beer I went across to the bus station and paid a ludicrous £1.45 for a bottle of Fanta(I had to copper up....which might have had something to do with why I didn't go for a beer).......I was as dry as a camel's armpit and glugged a good third of it down. Then waited for my bus.
I had a lovely day......I enjoyed every minute of it........I walked for miles....well, 23km according to my pedometer....I don't know what that is in English money, but my feet tell me it is a fair step.
I looked out for Jen doing her garden, both going to Manchester, and coming home......Jen I would've waved, but I didn't see you chuck.
Did I fondle the camera?.........No, I looked at it from outside the shop......does that count as worshipping from afar?
PS. I will put some pictures up when I have taken them off the camera.....then you can see for yourself
