Postcard from Manchester

We were up and out early to meet up with the lovely Lupes and her friend who were coming to Manchester for the day.

After meeting at Victoria we trundled off via the Football Museum, the Cathedral and Chethams School of Music, through China Town, which I have to say has gone down hill slightly since I was last there, probably 20 years ago! On to the very quirky and delightful Richmond Tearooms for an earlyish lunch, and boy was it busy....but very enjoyable :-)

Refreshed we headed out to Manchester Art Gallery, several installations, but I think we all enjoyed the photography ones most. These striking portraits were being closely considered by these young students. This is not what I intending blipping, that is the first of my extras, but the lighting was poor and ISO excessive, so a grainy image sadly :-(

Once in St. Peters Square we called into the ciruclar Central Library, extra 2, then into the Midland Hotel for a little look around as Lupes wanted to see where her daughter had worked. Next was the Bridgewater Hall, GMex whilst watching the trams toing and froing.

We also took in the Town Hall, Albert Square, St. Annes Square, The Shambles with its old pub during our meanderings.

A nice wander around Spinningfields and into the John Rylands Library, a fabulous mix of old and new architecture, extra 3. We decided we deserved a little pit stop to headed for Cloud23, the cocktail bar with panoramic views over the city, in Beetham Tower. Sadly, there was a queue with a 30 minute wait :-(
We walked up to the Free Trade Hall, the Halle Orchestras old home, prior to moving to the Bridgewater Hall, which is now the Raddison hotel and treated ourselves to a cocktail in their Opus One bar.

By the time we came out the promised rain had arrived, having had a bright and dry day up until. our last port of call was to be Manchester Cathedral........we arrived at 5, I had checked, it doesn't close until 6.30, unless there is a service taking place, and guess what, there was, a bit of a disappointintg end to an otherwise very enjoyable, 18,000 steps
walkabout :-)

Loved your company you guys thanks for sharing the day.

Hub and I stopped off for a coffee before going back to the car.....now sat at home with my feet up :-)