Manchester

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Ah, Manchester...it is rainy and cold today, just as one would suppose in one's prejudice about this city. Still a nice place (particularly since we have a nice son here), but nonetheless miserable weather. We got here later last night, after a mix-up with trains, but we are here.

Our last day in London was a good one. We had enjoyed the time at Covent Gardens, so went back there for another look, and were blessed with another operatic singer in the courtyard, followed by a string quartet; it doesn't get much better. A walk around those pats was wonderful, then we decided to walk to the British Museum (about a kilometer away).

I suspect that if you grew up with something as large and comprehensive, and impressive, as the British Museum, you would believe in your bones that Britain was the centre of the known world. As far as I could tell there was something from almost anywhere there. It was quite literally phenomenal. We saw the Rosetta stone, the Elgin marbles from the Parthenon. There were lots of school kids, and the like, fondling the statues with the signs that said "do not touch". It was hard not to scream at them.

The trip up here was fine, and we were met by Dan, Pat, and Electra. We went out for Chinese food, and got to bed late.

Today was a day for e-visiting the Manchester we got to know three years ago. I got sleepy after lunch and came back to Dan's place to sleep. Darlene and Pat went to see the North End part of the city, which is the arty part and turned out to be quite fun.

Supper at a Brazilian restaurant, run by a Portuguese man from the Island of Madeira, who couldn't explain why he left an island with a year-round temperature of 20-33 to come to Manchester. But there you go.

So tonight to bed, and tomorrow to boat.