I am currently knee-deep in Harold Shipman’s old stomping ground. But, I have come to visit family.
First time I have visited this house – it is a new addition to my sibling’s portfolio and she has done wonders with it. She has dragged it from humdrum to close-to-spectacular in an envious paint palette.
We (Kathryn and me) are here for a gig and we are taking in the culture of the city of Manchester along route.
Trains, trams and busses; strike action suspended still meant services were cancelled. Arriving Sunday we ate like kings. Pork trimmings and magical potatoes.
Monday was a shopping day; I picked up a Matthew Halsall record and we went on a massive hike – but, with intention.
We had booked for a walking tour and this tour over ran by an hour and a half. According to my Garmin watch I wracked up 11k steps – my fat ankles were giving me jip so we went to Saddlers Cat for a half. Kathryn sank Cloudwater and I had a Mash Gang tin. I wish zero percent beer was so good in my hometown.
Today we saw the Australian Team check in to The Midland hotel, in the centre of the city having spent a good three hours in the gallery.
I had had my fill of art although they were using it to pose questions about colonialism. Especially as the gallery has friezes from The Parthenon stuck to the infrastructure. Hopefully this is a conversation that can happen in my lifetime.
The temporary exhibition on display was a history of English Dandyism – made me think of my good friend Scooby.
Falafel, hummus and halloumi were the protagonists for our greasy dinner. A tour of coffee shops and bars saw us land in Fanco Manca, via the stand out venue Beermoth.
Wild Mushroom and smoked ham pizzas with close to zero presentation skills tasted amazing and kept us going to see Sigur Ros.
Sigur Ros are the band I listened to on rotation when me and Kathryn were starting to get together. Alison was there, too, and a very welcome addition.
The gig left its heart on the floor and was far better than anything I anticipated. There were live sampled loops, guitars played with cello bows and prepared drum kits.
It was an amazing gig and my stand out memory of it is seeing Kathryn beaming from ear to ear – we loved it!
- Bus journey home
- Medicine taken late
- Kathryn and Alison went to bed
- I am waiting on my medicine to kick in.
Seance, anyone….? Here is a photo from the Art Gallery.
