Chuff chuff Chuck

We decided to spend the day in Manchester, travelling by train whilst we could still afford it. The train we caught from our local station, Grindleford, was rather elderly. The doors opened OK, but before we could set off the driver kept coming into the carriage and banging the doors shut - the conductor was at the other end of the train, doing something similar. Apparently, because the train was on a slope, they had difficulty functioning - mental note, don't stand by the doors whilst train still moving.

The train wound its way slowly though beautiful countryside to arrive at Manchester Piccadilly. We didn't have a map, so we cluelessly climbed onto a free bus and headed into town. First stop - tourist information, which we spotted from the bus. We asked about where we could buy sushi - hoping Manchester was metropolitan enough to provide. Yay - China town, apparently, our best chance of finding a Japanese restaurant. And so we did, only to discover it would be £17.95 for a plate of sushi (8 pieces). You would want Nemo for that price!

Off to the art gallery round the corner then, there was a good cafe there we had been told. We had soup, a salad, drinks, and Maisie had sausage and mash on a palate plate - all for £12.00, much more reasonable.

To the art. There was an excellent interactive exhibition: Recorders: Rafael Lozano-Hemmer a major new exhibition by Mexican-Canadian electronic artist. We loved it, and stayed there for ages. We had a quick look at some L.S.Lowry's; we were in Manchester after all. I love seeing original paintings after seeing reproductions, the texture always surprises.

Then afternoon tea was calling - off to a cafe, a little shopping and back to the old train. I was a little disappointed not to see anyone from Coronation Street but there's always next time.