It’s so easy to say “after a difficult year at school…” to justify a holiday so I will not say that. Ah, too late.
Whatever the justification, here I find myself heading south on a short “World Tour of England”. “How did this come about?” I hear you ask. Perhaps you don’t ask. Either way, you are reading this so you just have some interest. I’ll tell you.
I actually had a notion not to go on holiday at all this year. After all, I do live in a very beautiful place, where other people do choose to take holidays. It would not be difficult to spend 6 weeks in, and around Aberdour just “dotting about”, drinking coffee, and wine in cafes, or even in my garden, spending time with Heidi, and Morag (something I will of course do when I return) etc.
This was indeed the plan, until Stevie Nicks announced a tour. Her Glasgow date was to be the Saturday of Tinto Summer School when while I am available in principal, I would not be in enough of a fit state to enjoy a gig of any description. Disappointment brushed aside, I examined her other dates and found that she was to be in Manchester the following Tuesday. I booked a ticket, accommodation, and a train.
The following train was one of thought when I realised that close to Manchester is Liverpool, a city I’ve been meaning to visit for some time. Further pondering led me to consider Cambridge, as I always enjoy “Carols from Kings” and would very much like to visit the chapel where this is filmed. On the way back north, York would seem a convenient destination – a city I have in fact visited many times, but never as an adult.
My loop around the country was formed. Accommodation, and rail transport booked in.
Of course, you have probably heard that poor Stevie has damaged herself in some way so the concert is now postponed. However, while disappointed I was not disheartened and in fact booked alternative entertainment quite quickly. More of this later.
This all being the case, I found myself on the 12.50 from Aberdour to Edinburgh, ready to catch the 14.12 from Edinburgh to Manchester Oxford Road. The Aberdour – Edinburgh train did pause briefly in a siding to allow an Aberdeen – Edinburgh train past but otherwise, the journey was unremarkable. It was the sort of weather with sun, and some light cloud making my journey across the 134 year old bridge (that I share a birthday with) rather pretty.
It took some time for the platform of my Manchester bound train to be announced but it did eventually leave on time, from platform 14. It traced a path south-west through Lockerbie, and Carlisle, eventually reaching Manchester Oxford Road at 17.22. I watched the buildings change to red brick as I made my way to an area known to many as “The North” but which is very much “The South” from my perspective.
The calling point at Bolton was cancelled. This was sadly due to emergency services dealing with a fatality on the line. I arrived at Manchester Oxford Road on schedule having enjoyed Richard Thompson’s new album, my book about Liberace, and the podcast “Dead Man Running” throughout the journey.
In a first, I picked up my apartment keys from a “Spar” along from the station. My apartment was in a very new looking tall building called “1, Cambridge Street”, and I was pleased to find it clean, spacious, well-equipped, and boasting a fantastic view of the city from a balcony on the 10th floor.
The area reminded me a lot of that around “Lochrin Basin” in Edinburgh. It felt like there were a lot of very recent developments, and many exciting restaurants and bars. I opted for a dining establishemnt called “Indian Tiffin Room“, which served a variety of dishes termed as “Street Food”.
It was, in fact “Meat Free Monday” at this location, so I enjoyed a passion fruit cocktail, “Time Pass Fryums”, “Momos”, and the “Mysore Masala Dosa”. All of this was absolutely lovely, and very well received after my journey.
Feeling weary, but cheerful of my lot, I retired to my apartment and enjoyed watching the trains from my balcony. A cold beer helped with this situation.
