Manchester

Thursday, 26th May, 2011

Manchester decided to give us a wet and miserable day. As they say over here, "nae bother". Yet another delicious breakfast, off to the laundrette in the local town, purchase of two umbrellas, we then parked at the Metro Link - which is the tram station. A 3.50 pound ticket was the return journey to Manchester, the trams arrive every 12 minutes, they are 3 carriages and very clean. It was a 12 minute journey into town.

We started the the tourist information office, got a map, and decided to do the town. The town square is incredibly impressive, Albert Square. The Town Hall is enormous and has a very nice cheap cafe which was well patronised.

Andrew beneath the statue of Prince Albert

Off to the Art Gallery, I was very impressed with the different types of exhibits here. I thought this little snuff box was amazing, when you look at it from the first side the inscription shows "One Month before Marriage" The couple are happy and smiling.

The next inscription when viewed from the other side, says "One Month after Marriage" and it is a different story. The whole thing is about 2 inches wide.

I was not able to take photos through much of the gallery, but this one shows a walkway between the gallery rooms, and I found this the most fascinating. You actually walk closely by all these paintings, allowing lots of room to stop and look closely. Is that a work of Art ... it is indeed it is Andy!

If there wasn't a real castle, they had replicas. This was just near the tram station, and the park is called Castlefield.

Could not resist taking advantage of some local graffiti

Our next visit was to the John Ryland library. I loved the bookworm in the garden outside, he is made up of succulents mainly. Yes Sue, I thought of you!

A very impressive building and inside are several rooms that have the original books, behind glass shelves. There are reading nooks that are set aside for the University students, was wonderful to see the very old combined with the netbooks via wifi. The library was designed by Mrs Enriqueta Ryland as a commemoration of her husband. He made his fortune in Manchester from Cotton Mills. It took 10 years to build and is a wonderful thing to see.

We then headed on down the town towards the Canals, had a quick look here. Canals are prolific throughout Britain and yes I am very fond of them.


This canal has a flash hotel built on it.

Our final destination for the day was the Peoples Museum of Science and Innovation. There are lots of railway steam engines and water wheels and pistons and "boy" stuff.

Andy was in his element.

Below is the first railway station in England. Yes it does need a little face lift

Some railway engines for James and Sam.


And of course my eye landed on the First Class Carriage

Here is one of the old Market Places, now a facade for a modern shopping mall.

A fine example of gorgeous architecture that is a pub. You never have to trouble far to get a drink here.

We then wandered into another building to find the aircraft museum. Yes, more wondrous stuff for Andy.



Our final memory of Manchester is the Curry Night at the JP Joule Pub in Manchester, a 6 minute walk from our wonderful B&B. No photos here.

All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed Manchester.

Off now to brekkie, and a bit of a drive today, as we are heading back to Birmingham, via Stratford Upon Avon. We are planning to visit Andy's great Aunt Florence.