Manchester

Haircuts. J had booked, but was really scared this morning, going into a place with other people. They have it all sorted - masks and visors, all surfaces clean and garments freshly laundered, no other customers, good external ventilation. And this part of the city centre really quiet. But that doesn’t remove the understandable high anxiety.

Not sure we can face this level of anxiety again though, maybe I need to cut her hair next time if she is OK with a less “professional” and styled approach. Her hair now looks really good though. Mine had got to the ..... interesting stage. The longest it’s been in 44 years. It now looks OK.

Whilst J’s hair was being coloured and then cut, I went for a walk around the city centre. It was really quiet. No office workers, bars and restaurants closed, and in this part of the centre - very few people. Which made social distancing very easy. I crossed over into Salford - the first time in Salford’s part of the centre since March. A lot of change in a few months, construction has never ceased.

A couple of extras. Work continues apace on the renovation of Manchester Town Hall, which is set to reopen in 2024. I wonder what our world will look like then ? And a train crossing the Ordsall Chord bridge over the Irwell. One of those still days with great reflections.

Last year Manchester City Centre was really heaving in early December. Bustling Christmas Markets, packed bars and restaurants, busy shops, theatrical productions and concerts, and lots of street activity. All gone, so different this December.