Monday Mural: Mila K

When I first saw these murals a couple of weeks back, I wasn't sure what to think. They were so new that I wasn't alone in taking photos. But I had a sinking feeling that maybe they were a male sci-fi fan's fantasy, which made me rather uneasy. 

When I discovered they were by Sheffield artist Mila K I felt better. They are titled "And we are aware, cause we've been through it". My interpretation of that is women all experience sexism and many are the object of male fantasies - but we can try and reclaim and reinterpret the "woman as fantasy role" and be empowered rather than oppressed...

Taking part in the Monday Mural at the Oakland Daily Photo blog.

Magical places to make your day: Bier Cell in Altrincham @BierCell

Bier Cell is a specialist beer emporium - it is hidden down a side street (Greenwood Street in Altrincham)  but is worth seeking out. It's beautiful inside with the old style bar and the unexpected giant wooden soldier to welcome you, and to serve you a wide range of rare beers from Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, The Netherlands and the UK.

Weekend Reflections: Glass of wine & Summertime

Summertime and the living is easy, 

Herons fly by, the Irwell flows blue.

Evening sunshine and a glass of chilled white wine,

So hush little baby, don't you cry...

Taking part in Weekend Reflections (with apologies to Gershwin, Porgy & Bess).

Skywatch Friday; an evening at Hollingsworth Lake

The other evening I was at Hollingsworth Lake. This is a 130-acre reservoir at Smithy Bridge, in Littleborough, just north of Manchester. The temperature was a comfortable 19C and it was rather pleasant to wander along the lake shore, watching children, their dad and dog frolic in the water. 

Others sat and admired the views, while some took their boats out. One had capsized immediately on leaving the harbour (see photo- hastily shot with my phone) but was soon rescued.

It's an interesting area. The facilities at the lake cover both ends of the spectrum: Tacky amusement arcades, chip shops and ice cream kiosks, a slightly grim looking pub (but with a nice name, The Beach) all vie with stylish looking places such as Olive and Pickle and a couple of other eateries. A nice pub further along the lake shore- popular with bikers-  is where I'd also like to visit another time.

Have a look at other Skywatch Friday posts around the world.

Dale Street filming: Cucumber or Banana?

There's film shooting taking place in Dale Street this week, I wonder what it is for? Maybe Russell T Davies' two new related dramas Cucumber and Banana, or something else by the Red Production Company?

ABC Wednesday: "D" is for Diversity at Dig the City

 

 

A montage of diversity at Dig the City this week with something for everybody: from playing giant chess, Connect 4 and Jenga, through a range of  stalls including Friends of the Earth and the National Trust, companies, and plenty of live music, bars, refreshments and other entertainment among the urbane urban greenery. Plus the BBC filming a new antiques programme - The Great Antiques Map Britain with daytime tv host, the ever-erudite, bow-tied and trilby-wearing Tim Wonnacott. Taking part in ABC Wednesday.

Manchester Palestine Solidarity Campaign #FreePalestine

Some members of the Manchester Palestine Solidarity Campaign group in the city centre a couple of days ago, either on their way to or from trying to do what they can to stop the atrocities being inflicted in the latest Palestine-Israel crisis. 

A century on from World War I and somehow there are still maniacs (and usually on both sides of a conflict) who become leaders and who never learn from history... Tragic.

Update Tuesday evening: it's actually a daily boycott of the Kedam shop on King Street. I took the below photo on the way home this evening. Kedam stock beauty products made with minerals in the Dead Sea- the Israeli economy benefits from Dead Sea resources while Palestine is deprived of £84 million woryh of tourism and other revenues due to Israeli occupation  More at www.bdsmovement.net

Quite antagonistic with a few people waving Israel flags outside the shop, while Palestine protestors handed out leaflets and a few police on hand to stir it all up too...

Monday Mural: Nelson Mandela

A wonderful Nelson Mandela portrait, new to Stevenson Square and painted I assume by the talented Akse. The late Nelson Mandela, known to all one of the world’s greatest freedom fighters and statespeople. Except some right-w(h)ingers of course. 

Taking part in the Monday Mural at the Oakland Daily Photo blog.

The growth of a hardy perennial @digthecitymcr

Preparations for Dig the City were in full flow when I passed by New Cathedral Street and St. Anne's Square on Thursday. It's one of the local summer highlights for me- an annual urban garden festival with presentations and talks as well as innovative planting and sculptures, food and drink and great floral displays. It's on from 2-10 August and spreads all around the centre, from Greengate Square to King Street.

Le Tour de Pennines, I mean France, The White House Pub

 

 

Le Tour de France had a couple of UK stages this year in London and Yorkshire (see my good friend Deb's York photo blog Ginnels Gates and Ghosts). And even on the Lancashire borders with Yorkshire it seems. I was up at Blackstone Edge above Littleborough on Wednesday and the White House pub was still decked out from when it received the tour -which had passed by briefly in July.

This pub on the Pennine Way is 1300 feet above sea level and in splendid isolation since being built in 1671 as The Coach and Horses. The passing of le Tour is another chapter in its history, which started when "the young bloods of Littleborough having guarded their mail coach from highway men would seek recompense for their labours with vigorous application to strong liquors".