I Dream in Pictures Not in Words......
A day in Manchester soaking up the spring sunshine and listening to Mallorcan rock bands strut their stuff . It’s a Balaeric celebration this week in the People’s Republic of Mancunium. Good (though pricey) food and drink to be enjoyed in Manchester’s heart with the added attraction of processions of a uniquely Spanish flavour.
Strange then that as I ventured onto Cross Street I was confronted by a march (complete with fifes and drums) consisting of the Apprentice Boys of Derry with sashes and Red Hand of Ulster badges. “That’ll go down well with the overwhelmingly Catholic sensibilities of our guests” I thought. But what do I know? It may have been a Council initiative to ‘integrate’ two diverse bodies under the all-embracing umbrella of Municipal Diversity”. Experience favours a ‘cock up’ though.
Whatever the reason it fecking jarred. NOT the time and NOT the place. Observers were overheard - as they walked away – complaining that they hadn’t come to watch bigots bang drums, play flutes and wear orange sashes and I have to agree. It may be viewed in these times as part of the ‘Truth and Reconciliation’ process in Northern Ireland but I – and many others – can do without it over here: Catholic or Protestant. Raking up history from hundreds of years ago and trying to present it as justification for the mindless hatred of today should be left to political dilettantes, trainee dictators and Peter Hitchens.
The rest of it was grand though, but a little ‘samey’. So I strolled off to photograph the statue of Abraham Lincoln in his bling, only to discover that his dalliance with Hip-Hop was all over and he once again stood tall, bronze and devoid of Ratner jewellery. So Spinningfileds and then on to Castlefield before calling in the Briton’s Protection for a great pint of Cumberland Ale. If you're ever in Manchester Mr Yorkshire Pudding - or other beer lovers, this is the real deal. A gorgeous, old-fashioned pub with a great range of real ales amd single malts.
I love Manchester. I do.
I finished watching GBH. Simply, heart-breakingly, toe-curlingly and side-splittingly wonderful. Seven episodes all lasting around 90 minutes and all better than any so-called 90 minute blockbuster’ coming to your local cinema any day soon. Characters that have revealed themselves to you as the series progresses. Plotlines that leave you guessing and even the sole car chase culminates in one of the funniest sequences in the series. Buy it. Rent it. Steal it and remember when Channel Four was renowned for ground-breaking, intelligent drama.
Commiserations to Just Jane. I know what relegation feels like.
Chin up girl! Promotion next season!!!!!
Deansgate Locks. Central Manchester.
Harry Vickers' Gates. Chetham's School. Central Manchester.
Bridgewater Canal. Central Manchester.
Madchester Rules. Site of the Hacienda. Central Manchester.
A gorgeous Georgian building on Duke Street, Castefield.
Spinningfields. Manchester.
Spinningfields, Manchester.
Spinningfields, Manchester.
A Walk in the Woods.
Garden
That's All Folks......
4 comments:
Thanks Steve.
Feels horrible doesn't it? :-(
Oh yes, you can't beat the Briton's Protection - great pub.
Speaking of pubs, beer and Yorkshire (Pudding), I'm looking forward to the tour of railway station bars that goes from Stalybridge to Dewsbury this Saturday, can't wait.
Great photos once again and thanks for the link to Peter Hitchens... I have ceased to put names to faces and when that bloke comes on, I usually turn off.
There used to be a run down red brick pub on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Reading that sold good guest beers and little else that your Britons' Protector reminded me of. I do miss a decent pint.
I didn't realise those orange nutters did England as well. I thought it was pretty much Norn Iron and the West of Scotland.
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