Manchester and back ...

We've just got back from a lovely weekend in Manchester visiting S. Here's A enjoying a 're-fuelling stop' on the services at the end of the M6 Toll Road.

Father and son relaxing in our hotel room. We had a lovely evening catching up and watching the football on TV amongst other things.

We thoughtfully brought along our own refreshments! Drink from the bar, anyone?

After going to the Vigil Mass at 'The Hidden Gem' church of St Mary's in the city centre we lingered at the international market in front of Manchester Town Hall. I'm not sure what the joke was here but it must have been a good one!

It was a very interesting market with stalls from all over the world. Here are just a few - this one is the Japanese Garden

The Dutch stall complete with cut-out cows, bicycle, flowers, cheese and clogs - very well done.

No market is complete without a German Bierstube

Part of the imposing facade of Manchester Town Hall.

You know the saying, ' like a child let loose in a sweet shop' well it applies to certain adults too!

How to make a building interesting. We wandered through the city to a very good Punjabi restaurant that S recommended for our supper and it was very good too.

On Sunday we visited Hatton Park and this roundabout was part of a fun fair in the grounds. The estate was very big with lots of different attractions. The large house was really interesting but so much to see that unfortunately we didn't really have enough time to spend as long there as we would have liked.

We had a fairly good run home and were back in time to catch up with M's news and hear about his weekend as he'd decided to stay 'home alone' and had arranged to meet friends for dinner in a local pub restaurant.

Plumbers and moles - grumpy and otherwise

We've had plumbers in the house all week installing a new boiler and all that entails. I must say I had no idea what a lot of work that would involve. Two very nice young men have been working flat out every day this week since Monday, arriving at the crack of dawn (well, it feels like that to us as we scramble around in the mornings to be up, dressed and breakfasted before they arrive!)

Today's Thursday and the electrician has been here most of the day connecting everything up and tomorrow (we hope) the new system will be commissioned and we'll be back to normal.

The workmen have been very good but I always heave a sigh of relief when we get the house back to ourselves after any work's been done at home.

One good side effect was that on Monday we decided to go out for supper as the plumber had forgotten to re-connect the gas supply before he went home and so I couldn't use the hob for cooking.

We went to a local pub restaurant called The Grumpy Mole. It is under new management and has been completely refurbished. I had heard very good reports from neighbours and we weren't disappointed. It was lovely; the food delicious and the surroundings and atmosphere delightful. Here's a picture of the outside. Another plus point for us is that it's close enough to walk to which is always an advantage I think.

The Girl who Silenced the World at the UN for Five Minutes

I was recently sent this video by my sister-in-law. I found it very moving and although it is rather long ( a full 5 minutes) I thought it worth sharing.

A week in pictures ...

I was trying to think what I've been doing since I last posted anything on this blog and then I had the bright of idea of looking at the photos I've taken recently. So here are a few shots which will tell you what's been happening this week.

Most months the women in our Team go out for a 'Girls' Night' in a local pub/restaurant and on Monday we met in the Derby Arms opposite the Grandstand on Epsom Downs. We missed N's company as she was away at the time but the four of us who were there had a very good evening, catching up on family news. We find as well as being good fun, it also helps to keep the social chit-chat down at our regular Teams meetings as we've all met in between times and are fairly up to speed on social happenings in our families.

Thursday was a visit to the hairdressers - nothing special about that but I've always admired this chandelier in the hairdressing salon so asked if I could take a picture. It's not really my style at all but it just goes perfectly in the salon. I wish I'd taken a shot of the lovely beige and pink sofa too but I didn't have the nerve to take any more!

On Saturday M and I went to the parish Quiz Night which was good fun - and we didn't actually come last either! A shame that A was away on business so couldn't join us.

Today we had a special visitor at the 10.00am Mass as it was the Going Forth Mass for our First Holy Communion children. We were lucky in that our bishop was able to come and preside at the Mass. It was a lovely, joyful Mass and the sun shone too. That's where this picture comes into the story. It was such a gloriously sunny day as we drove over the Downs on the way home after Rosary and Benediction in the afternoon that M and I decided to stop and enjoy an ice cream in the car park. I can definitely recommend the 'oyster delight'. M's not really going to eat both ice creams; he's just obligingly holding mine while I take the picture!

The fair has arrived!

Well the fairground looks just about ready for business now. It was a hive of activity as I drove past on the way home today. A few people already tucking into burgers and hot dogs from the mobile sellers. The regular ice cream van that is usually parked on the Downs most of the summer was doing a good trade by the looks of it. TV crews were getting organised atop very high camera positions - you definitely need a head for heights for that job!

A's off to The Oaks tomorrow for a bit of 'hospitality'. The first day is traditionally 'Ladies Day' at the Derby meeting and there will be a lot of hats on show, I would guess! ( I did ask A if he'd like to borrow one of mine but he declined my offer!) 'Ladies Day' because the main race, The Oaks, is for fillies. (Just a note for 'non-locals')

Epsom Derby

Most days I drive past Epsom racecourse, either on my way back from work on on my way into Epsom town.

Usually I take a slight detour on the way home just to enjoy the view over Epsom Downs, even on a dull and damp day, it can be quite beautiful.

All this changes however for about ten days or so every year as Derby Day approaches. First of all we see the uninterrupted view impeded by the erection of a variety of fences, wooden and metal, this is followed by an 'eruption' of hospitality tents and finally the fairground people move in with their assortment of 'rides' and hot dog vans etc.

Nevertheless, Epsom racecourse during the 2 day Derby meeting is well worth a visit. I think Epsom is unique in that the racecourse is situated in the middle of a public area. On every other day of the year, when passing the racecourse, you see people out walking, with or without dogs; kite-flyers; model aeroplane enthusiasts; people enjoying a picnic (or sledging when we have enough snow!) or just enjoying the view. Not on the racetrack itself of course!