10 November 2017 – Streetwise Choir at Manchester Cathedral

Stuart, Stephen and Tony braved a wet and cold night to listen to Norman sing with Streetwise Choir at Manchester Cathedral. As well as Nessun Dorma, there was some audience participation.

Another enjoyable day out this time to Leeds

I enjoyed my dinner of bangers and mash at Yates  and liked the fact the gravy was served in a gravy boat

Some places already put gravy on the dinner and this can flood the potato

Unfortunately some of the group were served peas that were cold with their meals

During the afternoon we came across a shop selling crystals I couldn’t resist this opportunity to purchase more for my beloved

The shop was well stocked and there was limited space to move around

I  accidentally caught a “Woodstock Neptune Wind Chime” with my walking stick setting it jangling away…..what a beautiful sound it made.

I’m glad I only bashed the wind chimes with my walking stick and not a very fragile item

Later we enjoyed tea and I ordered fruit cake with Wensleydale cheese

I have never heard of  nor tried this previously and I thought it was lovely. Several of the group also ordered it with their tea.

Woodstock Neptune Wind Chime

Is that the sound of the wind dear? No it’s some chap named Edison Lamp bashing the wind chimes with his walking stick

Would you like some fruit cake served with Wensleydale?

9 November 2017 – Trip to Leeds

Leeds is a busy city and there are lots to do there. We started with a meal in Yates which we all enjoyed (except for the cold peas).

A visit to the Art Gallery showed off a fantastic cafe. The spacious cafe with grand marble columns, stunning ornate tiles and a barrel-vaulted mosaic ceiling was magnificent, but unfortunately, we had just eaten. Most of the exhibits in Leeds Art Gallery were modern art and most of us prefer the traditional.

We went to view the Victorian Quarter with the shopping arcades and found a Crystal Shop. Needless to say, crystals were purchased.

The least grand of the arcades was named the “Grand Arcade” but we enjoyed homemade cakes (including fruit cake and Wensleydale cheese combination) and unusual teas in the Vintage Cafe which used 12″ album sleeves, complete with vinyl, as the menus.

There are lots of famous people from Leeds, but we bumped into Donald Trump and Nelson Mandela!

Leeds train station is one of the busiest and rush hour traffic means that many people will be standing up during the journey. Fortunately, most of us found seats which was a blessing as Sue reckoned we had walked 10,000 miles!

 

2 November 2017 – Trip to West Kirby

West Kirby is well worth another visit, but it would be better in the summer months when it is warmer. It’s not too difficult to get to, via Lime Street, Liverpool and is a small, pleasant seaside town.

We all enjoyed our lunch – a fish that was too big for the plate and some tasty chips (Sue had pie and peas).

We decided to walk out to Hilbre Island to see the seals, but only got half way before turning back. Although the tide was out the sand was wet and the pools a little too deep for our inappropriate footwear.

 

26 October 2017 – Trip to Liverpool

Wetherspoons  …..  Walker Art Gallery  …..  Costa for coffee.

And I wasn’t even there! I missed the trip in both senses of the word.