Manchester and the like, oh and finished work things

Fan Zone was bunk sure Manchester was a good time. Went to see a black panther art exhibit, a pub that used ot be a public toilet under the main street, and poked around in a street market full of wonderful goodies, without buying any. There were just too mnay things I wanted to try and it cost so much that i just decided to refrain from it all together. It was cold for walking around, but Manchester isn’t short of malls, and shopping centres to pop into and fo-shop. Ummm, I didn’t talk about London first did I? Well I’ll get to that after, just ignor the chronology.________________________________________________________________________________________ What else did I see in Manchester? I guess I’ll put some photos up but the architecture is unique and both functional and skateboardable. On the second day Erin and I were going to the Manchester United Fan Zone to meet the players and maybe get an autograph. While we were in the area we checked out the imperial war museum, and art gallery, mall, and walked around the general area. The mall is right across from the art gal and they are both across the bridge from the war museum. All of these buildings are very nice to look at and tres artsie. Between the mall and art gal is a big common area where some local chaps were play a bit of football. That night we went to check out Old Traffard and the fan zone. We were walking around until I finally succame to Erin’s bidding to ask someone. That’s the difference in males and females when it comes to navigation. I know the traditional view of men being too stubborn to ask someone for directions, but I don’t mind asking for directions, as long as I’ve first put a decent effort in first to find it myself. I tend to remember things better when I figure them out for myself than when I have it all explained to me.__________________________________________________________________________________ So we get some directions and continue to another dead end where Erin notices a sign directing us back the way we came. After asking someone else we were directed ot a tentlike structure. I had purchased a tshirt and a marker for all the autographs I would get, though I wasn’t expecting the whole team to be there or anything. I don’t know why I thought they would be there. I’m pretty sure they are supposed to show up from time to time, however, this was not one of those times. The £3 I paid got me into a big cold area with a big screne playing old matches, and I was luck enough to be offered over pirced food. Fan zone was bunk, but at least I know what it’s all about now, and I did get to see Corry Tetford, I mean, old Trafford. Why didn’t Igo to the game? Because the last train out of town was leaving part way through the game and I had a flight to catch to Milan the next day, which I am now on as I continue to type. I tried to let the guy next to me know that he can wake me up if he needs to go to the toilet, but he doesn’t speak enough English to understand me____________________________________________________________________________ I would like ot go to a football match someday. See, when I was making these plans I found out that for early ticket booking you need to be part of the fan club, which costs £25. Tickets were available to general public later on once they had not sold out, but everything was booked by this time.____________________________________________________________________________________ Manchester is a nice city. It’s not as big as London, so it’s easier to get around and still has lots to offer. I could easily live there, but first I mght have to check out the hockey situation there._________________________________________________________________________________ What else is there to say about Manchester? Very nice Christmas night market, with an ice rink in the city centre, and they have Christmas decorations all over the light poles and what not; on the trees and buildings. Saw some cool little shops.__________________________________________________ So before the trip to Manchester I was in London. I finished up my job on Friday, dec 5th and made my way into South Norwood. Along the way I ended up on the wrong train, though you would think I would have this stuff checked and double checked wouldn’t you? I mean, I have been known to go the wrong way more than once and get lost every now and again, so somehow I ended up on the wrong train. I though it said platform 1&2, but the only thing I can figure is that it said platform 12, I don’t know, all I know is I left around 3pm, should have been in SN by 5, but got in more like 8:30pm. I was off down the wrong rabbit hole when the train man informed me that we were at the end of the line and I had to get off. He gave me directions, back to London Bridge, and from there it was only another 45 min or so. No worries, I wasn’t in any hurry to get anywhere.______________________________________________________________________________ From the station in SN I walked with all my gear back to my flat, and as I made it to the door, I saw Peter and his family pulling up. I had a bit of a chat with Peter, but mostly with his son, then I unpacked a bit and headed out for some food. I went to a spot called Togma Hall where they have some of the best Cury I’ve ever eaten. There were two very similar dishes, but one was £4 and the other £7, I enquired and concluded that on this celebratory occasion I was due for the £7 curry with all the extra spices. I don’t know what the cheaper one was like but this thing was gorgeous. Not too hot, and full of flavour. I find the only the I ever dislike about a curry is when there is too much cumin in it, but one was worth the cash. After that I bought a big chocolate bar to eat on the way to hockey. Hockey was a good time, but the curry and chocolate were burning a hole in my stomach the whole time and when I got off I discovered I had over exherted myself to the point of shaking. I felt like someone had thrown me down a flight of stairs once or twice. The next few days I was feeling all the achs and pains. My hands from gripping the stick, legs, and all around my trunk muscles; Loves it.______________________________________________________________________________----- That night I had my first bath in ages. Don’t get me wrong, I was showering for the past 4 months, but didn’t have a bath, and the one at my flat is an old deep one.___________________________________________________________________________________ I didn’t get enough sleep but I was refreshed and happy the next day, aches and pains aside. I was so hungery by the time the meal came, because I figured 6 hours sleep was better than 5 hours sleep and breakfast. We didn’t eat until 5 or so, but it was very nice. I had a checked breast wrapped in a slice of ham, with sweet chilli sauce and some cheese potato thing. It was good by I was famished. My starter was shrimp, and my desert was Christmas pudding, which they served with sour cream??! Yeah, I woulnd’t have guessed it, but it tasted good nonetheless. I also had someone elses yorshire pudding and a slice of turkey, along with an icecreamsunday that went unclaimed; oh, and some Wedding cake. It was a good time and from there I met up with Erin at her friend Pauls house; well, I guess he’s my friend now as well. Computer is going to shut down any minute now and I will get a writing break. Battery is very low. Yeah , we went to Pauls and watched 3:10 to Yuma, which I had seen on a flight, except never got to see the ending. As it turns out, I had only missed the last 10 minutes, but I feel more concluded. Shut down__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Then I went home and had some sleep out of it. Writing from Milano