Canada House on Canada Day

Happy Canada Day across the pond for tomorrow, 1 July. Canada House was constructed at the end of the Victorian era and was considered to be one of the best cotton warehouses in Manchester. 

How shameful and embarassing then that the Canadian government cuts caused the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to pull the plug on their voice to the world for 65+ years, Radio Canada International, only last Sunday. This despite many protests from listeners all over the world. It was one of my favourite stations. The RCI Action Committee tried its best to save the service. I hope somehow it may return one day in its former glory with Maple Leaf Mailbag and The Link. http://rciaction.org/blog/

Linked to the Weekly Top Shot blog .

North Star's northern outpost

Earlier this week I sat in the sunshine at the North Star Delicatessen which trades in town as well as in Chorlton cum Hardy (which I featured back in January). I see North Star in Piccadilly Basin as something of a hidden gem, frequented by the many of us lucky enough to be in the know. It is on Dale Street, a wonderful road that drips with red brick architectural delights from Manchester's past which has some interesting new builds to complement it too.  

North Star started its successful life back in 2003 thanks to three siblings: Adam and John Berlyne and chef Deanna Thomas. Why would anyone choose to go to a coffee shop chain when there are lovely independent places like this, with locally produced quality products at a reasonable price?

Architects on Dulcie St revisited

I featured the front of BDP Architects Practice on Dulcie Street a year ago, last June , and promised to show the contrasting view round the back. In comparison to the shimmering and striking front it is comparatively ordinary, but at least the light floods into the offices from here, and there are nice views over the Rochdale Canal basin. There are certainly far worse buildings to work in.

Linking to Weekend Reflections.

"X" is for Xerxes and xylophones at the RNCM

Xerxes is an opera by Handel based on a Persian king who led a war against Greece. It was performed here at the RNCM (Royal Northern College of Music) earlier in the year. Last week I enjoyed a lunchtime concert given by the RNCM Brass band. It featured some contemporary and atmospheric pieces by Elgar Howarth (The Bandsman’s Tale and Tombeau) then Edward Gregson’s Rococo Variations. And yes, one of the instruments played was a xylophone...

Linked to ABC Wednesdays .

On another note (pun intended), last week I met up with Sandi and her lovely family, and we had a whistle-stop tour of Manchester on a balmy evening. She writes the Flying into the Light blog in her hometown of Vancouver, Washington.

Strawberries and dream

Although 200 miles north of Wimbledon, the annual tennis fiesta can be enjoyed outside in Manchester. Either on the big screen in Exchange Square or from the comfort of a deckchair here at Screenfields.Yesterday evening it provided the perfect post-work pick me up. 

I watched young English wildcard Oliver Golding lose narrowly to Russia's Igor Andreev. Igor is 400 places higher in the rankings. The 18 year old Oliver has had quite a career already, and not just in tennis. He was previously a child actor on tv, stage (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) and screen. This included a part in a 2002 film by the wonderful Mike Leigh, (a local Broughton boy) called All or Nothing. It seems an appropriate title too for the first day of Wimbledon.

Linked to the Our World Tuesday blog.

Monday Murals: Print and Paste stops fighting

This billboard space in Chester Street is a curated art space that belongs to Print and Paste. A different artist each month exhibits their work here. Print and Paste "aim to support the artist and inspire the public by using the space for freedom of expression, positive social commentary, and the exhibition of original work."

I believe this current exhibit is the first (previously it advertised Print and Paste themselves). This work is by Steve Lambert, an interesting artist from across the pond in New York, who " aims to make art for non-art audiences: work that is accessible, relevant, challenging, and often fun."

What's your interpretation of the meaning here?

Linked to Monday Murals at the Oakland Daily Photo blog.

Print and Paste: http://print-and-paste.tumblr.com/
Steve Lambert: http://visitsteve.com/

Sunday Bridges: bars & barges at Catalan Square

The 19th century railway viaduct above carries trains and trams to and fro, while Merchant's Bridge in Catalan Square (built 1996) links people to bars, restaurants and apartments on both banks of the Bridgewater canal.  

Linking to Sunday Bridges 

Weekend Reflections: Cows' Week

Not be confused with the famous boating extravaganza of Cowes Week off of the Isle of Wight in August, this is my idea of a more gentile and low key cows' week. Taken on the Shropshire canal in Cheshire, where they all trotted across to see us as we walked past. Some then proceeded to use the canal as a giant drinking trough.

More Weekend Reflections .

Exchange Square: Summer House and the living is easy

The Summer House on Exchange Square in central Manchester is bright and fun, whether you choose to embibe within the marquee or alfresco. Their Twitter account sums up the ethos (@Summerhousemcr). "Inspired by European urban gardens, with a big splash of colour, lots of trees and greenery and simply the best summer drinks in this wonderful city."

Bargain of the day is their £1 coffee hour from 11.00 to midday. From 12.00 to 4.00 daily you can have a delicious sounding veggie felafel burger with beer or wine for £6 (as a veggie I cannot condone the meat burger alternative but there is one...).

To help get the workers through the early working week Summer House also offers two for one cocktails deals from 4.00 to 7.00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Marbury's Mere: Silent sorrow in empty boats?

A new favourite walk of ours (about 6 miles long and therefore takes about 2 hours) is from Barnton along the Trent and Mersey Canal, past the amazing Anderton boat-lift that lifts craft from the River Weaver to the canal and vice versa.

You can then reach Marbury Country Park in Comberbach, finishing here at Budworth Mere, where the ducks sunbathe on the empty boats.

Silent sorrow in empty boats is a track which bookends a lovely ambient music mix. In my view it's a perfect accompaniment for sitting up as late as possible and savouring the long daylight at this time of year. http://lowlightmixes.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/silent-sorrow-in-empty-boats.html

Linked to the Rural Thursday blog .