May 6-7: Manchester

Friday morning was my last in Edinburgh for the time being (though I’ll return before the end of the trip!). I puttered around the flat in the morning, packing up my stuff and doing internet-y things, before meeting up with Sarah and Rebecca for lunch. We went to Ooud Kitchen (which makes me think of the Ood) and all shared a mezze platter with falafel and grilled halloumi along with all the fixin’s. It was delicious!

lunch in edinburgh

lunch in edinburgh

My shawl grows, slowly.

more shawl

After a bit of a harrowing adventure involving catching my train with only a minute or two to spare (note to self: leave way earlier next time) I got my train to Manchester. Unfortunately my reserved seat ended up being in a group of young men who were going to a match or something and were drinking beer on the train, so I decided not to sit there. I was able to get a good seat after the first stop, about 30 minutes out. The journey was a little over 3 hours, and I did see sheep out the window though I didn’t photograph them!

I met up with a Manchester knitter, Elizabeth, who generously let me stay in her gorgeous flat in the Northern Quarter. That evening we went out to dinner down the street – I had a yummy butternut squash and cambozola risotto.

risotto

Saturday was pretty grey and rainy, but since I didn’t have a ton of time I braved it anyway to go exploring. Turns out the city centre is really quite compact, and I was able to see everything easily on foot. First up was the Manchester Craft and Design Centre, which is a sort of cooperative where artists have work and retail spaces. Tons of beautiful handmade jewelry, bags of different kinds, pottery – all the wonderfully crafty things I love to buy! I was restrained though, and didn’t purchase anything. It was still really lovely and inspiring.

craft and design centre

craft and design centre

I wandered down to PIccadilly Gardens and took refuge from the rain in a restaurant, where I had a full (veggie) English breakfast for lunch! It was yummy.

english breakfast for lunch

That afternoon I stopped in at the Manchester Art Gallery (the Anish Kapoor exhibition is really interesting), saw the Town Hall, and then went to the Museum of Science and Industry, which is housed in the oldest surviving passenger rail station in the world. There’s a great textile exhibit, and the whole thing was really interesting but a bit huge! It’s sort of overwhelming.

town hall

steam engine

MOSI

Some more photos from around Manchester – I have more that I need to get off the camera before I can write about the rest of my weekend!

manchester2

manchester1

ferris wheel

pedestrian mall


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5 responses to “May 6-7: Manchester”

  1. Janieb Avatar
    Janieb

    Glad you’re enjoying England, Tate
    Modern in London has some knitting exhibits currently…

    Or you could hit the Victoria & Albert Museum – always a delight! Hope you’re enjoying the good weather today.

  2. rubbishknitter Avatar

    yay, glad you had fun in Manchester! Beautiful photos, it looks very atmospheric with all those brooding clouds. The train pic is ace, i love MOSI, it’s good that you managed to fit in a visit there.

  3. Lynne G Avatar
    Lynne G

    Thanks for an excellent armchair adventure!

  4. Abbe Avatar
    Abbe

    Great photos! I’m totally enjoying this vicarious vacation.

  5. yoel Avatar

    It looks like you’re having so much fun! I’m keeping notes for my trip to manchester (so far, in my dreams only, but still…).

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