Weekend Reflections: Mist again (like we did last autumn)

Early morning mist as Daisy the Labrador has an early morning sniff and Wilson the green narrow boat greets another day on the Trent and Mersey Canal. 

See other Weekend Reflections.

Back in the city after a walk, and it's time to go to the Manchester Peace and Craft Fair at the Birch Community Centre on Brighton Grove (11.00- 4.00 p.m). Festive stalls including Nepalese treasures, Palestinian delights, jewelry, art and much more. Stalls from CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament), Manchester Palestine Solidarity Campaign et al, and live music. 

Save Barton Moss from the Frackers! @Frack_Off

All power to the Northern Gas Gala! activity which started this week at IGas Energy's fracking site in Salford. Brave people are protesting and taking action against shale gas exploration at Barton Moss though, see the The Northern Gas Gala and updates at Frack Off UK. We will not be conned by the powers-that-be.  

The Northern Gas Gala is a show of community protection against the threat of harm to health and environment posed by the fracking industry. There have been six earthquakes in Texas alone this past week in the vicinity of fracking sites. 

With thanks to the gallant protesters and photographers (some of whose images I have treated and am sharing here for the greater good).

Skywatch early morning, late autumn

Taken on a country walk on a frosty morning near the River Dane last weekend.  See this week's other Skywatch posts.

A tough winter may lay ahead of us and it certainly seemed that way last Saturday. Heading off to a favourite walking spot of mine in northern Cheshire, the temperature gauge as we set off read -3°C. It felt rather chilly too, crunching through the frost in my battered walking boots, wondering if my thickest lined gloves’ first outing of this late autumn season were going to keep my fingers warm.

The gentle rolling scenery of the Trent and Mersey canal weaving its way from Whatcroft to Middlewich was a pleasant distraction from the cold. The River Dane was gushing away 20 feet downhill to the right of us, cartwheeling in crazy undulating bends when compared to the “Straight ahead boys!” approach of the ancient canal’s builders.  

When the sun came out there was a sheer magical quality hanging in the frozen air; a bright blue sky, frosted leaves and berries, the canal frozen over in places until an occasional narrow boat broke through.  The wildlife was at its best last week as well; pheasants and grouse scurried along the roads and through fields. My highlight of the walk was a kingfisher, in fact we spotted a couple that day. One was always just ahead of us, swooping onto the next overhanging branch from where it could fish, only to be disturbed by us as we caught up 30 seconds later. It may have annoyed the kingfisher but it enabled us to delight at the sight of its vibrant turquoise body as it flitted along a few feet above the water.

I usually warm up halfway through a walk but not last Saturday- it was too cold. A hole in the top of my right walking boot didn’t help- if I walk about 12 miles every weekend and have had the boots 2 years that must be about 1200 miles I have walked in them, so maybe they are a little worn out. Likewise my fleece is not equipped for this kind of weather, nor my gloves really. And a hat that doesn’t look silly but does the trick is something I still yearn for…

Although most of my walks are on the flat Cheshire plains, when I was back in the warm, with a mug of steaming coffee and a peanut butter bagel, I checked out the Craigdon Mountain website. Their wide range of walking gear could suit my needs and for serious mountaineering and skiing friends there is some heavier wearing equipment. You might not catch me in crampons but I soon came up with a useful Christmas lists worth of items. 

So, this year so please can I have a lovely lime green Marmot sling shot jacket, or maybe a pink ice mountain Rosiere jacket; a North Face Messenger bag in red; an Alaska or an Electra beanie; maps and books on Scotland and the Munros would certainly make me want to head northwards too. I also found a few Christmas ideas for some outdoorsy types I know but had better not mention here lest they be read…

ABC Wednesday: "T" is for The Toast Rack

Taking part in ABC Wednesday where I'm happy to have some "T" with my toast today.

Down in Fallowfield opposite Platt Fields is this slightly surreal looking education edifice, built between 1958 and 1960.  Called the Hollings Building, quelle surprise, it has always been known to every Mancunian as the Toast Rack. 

Until this summer it belonged to Manchester Metropolitan University. Luckily listed, what will become of it next is yet to be decided. It even has its own dedicated blog which details its final academic year and comes up with plenty other archival and interesting items on the building.

I worked here for a month or so several summers ago, in the Faculty of Food, Clothing and Hospitality Management. It was an intriguing building on the inside as well as out, with the staff offices on the top floor rather small and almost attic like, as the building reached its apex. Another good blog post on it at Nothing To See Here.

Between the tick and the tock of the seasons

A contribution to Ruby Tuesday and Our World Tuesday. Autumn may be here until 22 December but the recent frosts herald the start of that overlapping of seasons, as late autumn meets with early winter. Nature leaves you speechless sometimes... 

It's lovely to be out in the crisp cold but only if you can come back to somewhere warm. Tragically hospitals have seen cases of hypothermia rise by more than a third to 28,000 under the Conservative-Liberal coalition government, who have allowed soaring energy bills from the Big Six Power companies to go unchallenged. Support the Fuel Poverty Action Group.

Monday Mural: Snow season at Spinningfields

A nice vintage style advertisement hoarding at this year's Spinningfields ice rink.

Taking part in this week's Monday Mural.

Inspired Sundays: St. Peter's Church, Ancoats

St Peter’s Church on Blossom Street in Ancoats was built in Italian Romanesque style in 1859 with a capacity of 1,350. The area was later, coincidentally, populated by many Italians and became known as Little Italy. 

It has recently been renovated and is home to the Hallé Orchestra, which itself was founded in Manchester by Sir Charles Hallé - a year earlier in 1858.  

Taking part in the Inspired Sunday meme.

Weekend Reflections: Red brick through the window...

A Chinese Travel agency reflects typical examples of the 19th century red brick grandeur of Princess and Portland Streets in central Manchester.

When I wander around the centre looking up at these Victorian red brick palaces I am often overcome by the richness of the details and the huge financial cost behind them.

More Weekend Reflections.

Skywatch Friday: Suburban mellow yellow autumn

Occasionally in suburbia your eyes can trick you; to me this could be a forbidden cottage in a forest glade, on a bright autumnal afternoon. Maybe the dark wood theme will hit you more if you listen to the rather manic, spookily sung Time for tea by Emilie Autumn?  I think I prefer Yellow Time by Mostly Autumn. Taking part in Skywatch Friday. 

Pink shoes...and 27 things Manchester gave the world

Pink shoes...and pink scarf and pink coat and pink nails. I saw these luminous pink-tipped shoes a mile off and had to try to take a photo. Meanwhile, from the streets of Manchester to 27 excellent things Manchester gave the world. Mostly these are good and groundbreaking but I can only apologise for numbers 1, 9 and 18 -  I'll celebrate the rest.