Manchester and back ...

We had a great weekend in Manchester. The journey up was one of the best we've ever had - no traffic problems at all and lovely sunny weather most of the way.

We had a bit of trouble finding St Mary's (the Hidden Gem) for Mass on Saturday evening and missed the opening prayer (I hate being late for Mass!).

Even though we've been there several times now, we don't know the city well enough to find the church easily from wherever we manage to find a space to park. You wouldn't believe how many people we asked and nobody had a clue (and they weren't ALL strangers either - I was thinking, 'look for middle-aged women to ask - they're the most likely to know!').

I used to think Manchester was a stronghold of Catholicism! In the end a young couple (Eastern European judging by their accents) who had seen us approaching several people and getting further and further away from the church incidentally, took pity on us and said if we were going to Mass at the church so were they and so we followed them.

I must say it is very well named - the HIDDEN Gem!

After a lovely Mass we met up with number 2 son and went to the Curry Mile for a fantastic curry and a lovely relaxed evening together chatting and catching up with one another's news.

On Sunday we went for a good long walk at Chorlton Water Park - so many energetic people - I think half of Manchester was out running on Sunday morning. We didn't want to go too far out of town as we were going for lunch in the city centre at Malmaison - another success.

Sad to say farewell but hopefully it won't be too long before it's our son's turn to make the journey home down South for a weekend.

The journey back was a bit busier (everyone returning from visiting their mothers on Mother's Day perhaps?) but we still managed it in about 4 hours driving time which is quite good.

Back to normal today and catching up with washing and ironing etc. It's amazing how being away for just two days can make you so behind with the chores, isn't it?

A Conundrum ...

Here's a conundrum for you ...

Having slipped up on Valentine's Day (don't ask!), the paterfamilias is obviously trying to make amends (!) and has booked a table for lunch on Mother's Day at a very smart local restaurant ( Okay, I admit it, I have been dropping a few hints lately but it's the only way!)

Now the problem is that number one son has booked a short break holiday that weekend as he has leave to use up before the end of the year. Number two son is in Manchester and is really busy at the moment trying to get some serious work done as hopefully this will be his final year of his thesis. I know he's busy enjoying himself too but I don't begrudge him that. Anyway, it means that neither of the offspring will actually be here to celebrate Mother's Day on the day itself and be able to join us for lunch. (By the way the numbers merely denote which is the older of the two boys!).

I would love to have lunch at this restaurant and also quite like the idea of having lunch with just the two of us, for a change, but do I want to do that surrounded by women celebrating in the bosom of their families?

An evening out ...

We had another great evening out with friends on Friday. We went to a local Indian restaurant with a deservedly good reputation, The Indus. None of us had far to drive and we were even able to walk the house of our friends who lives very near. They kindly invited us to aperitifs there beforehand and coffee and liqueurs afterwards.

All the ingredients for an excellent evening - good food ... good company .... and a few laughs too!

By the way, no sign of the 'credit crunch' in this part of the world - the restaurant was packed and there were people waiting for tables!

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.

Roasted Quail, Fillet of Salmon Trout, Bubblegum Cheesecake ! .......

We had a very enjoyable evening at the Post yesterday. The picture above is of one of the delicious desserts chosen by many of us at our table - White Chocolate Fondant, Vanilla Ice-cream and Rasberry Custard. I wish I'd taken a shot of the 'Bubblegum Cheesecake' Apparently it really did taste like bubblegum - not my favourite flavour I must admit but it looked intriguing and also came with one of these spun sugar decorations.

It was good to spend some time together with some of Adrian's close colleagues,and their wives in particular. We found plenty of common ground without resorting to the dreaded 'W' four-letter word. Funnily enough at one point we were all discussing English Premiership football, even more surprising when one of the couples present was from the USA, although they have lived in the UK and Europe for many years.