I am currently at my daughter's place in Manchester. There's always transport to get to the places I want to get to, but I hate to be a burden on two girls who work their socks off all day everyday, nor do I like to drag my husband off to places he'd not choose to go or at times he'd choose to do something else. In short I like to be independent. Accordingly, yesterday I decided that I'd choose to use the tram and bus system to visit my mother.
My timing cannot be judged to be the best-it was one of the coldest Saturdays of the year and I had forgotten just how biting that Pennine wind could be! Add to that the dreadful situation re public toilets in the stations in Manchester City Centre; I found that I needed 30 pence to use them. All I had was my card and a 50 pound note! Boxing clever, or so I thought, I visited Starbucks. Starbucks have no bathroom! I was going to buy a coffee but with 50 pounds felt I needed to order more than a flat white. One flat white, one sausage sandwich, a small yogurt thing and a piece of carrot cake to take to Mum: 15pounds + (I swear I am going to stop using Costa and Starbucks).
I get my stuff, enjoy a very nice cup of coffee and a tasty sausage sandwich, along with the healthy yogurt pot and then I make my way to the loos. Still unable to use them due to the fact that I did not have the right change! No one around to help or advise. That was when I noticed the disabled loo in the corner. I decided to use that but boy did I regret the impulse. I won't shock you with the details. Suffice it to say I will carry disinfectant wipes with me at all times in the future!
That was the downside of the public transport system, as I saw it. However, overall, I was hugely impressed by the tram, bus and rail facilities in my home . There is a very wide hub for quick and convenient travel in the Greater Manchester area and that means that I can be largely independent of my family for getting around.
Now is the time I get to do all those things I always wanted to do but never had the time for...explore my surroundings properly was one and renew my love of music and theatre was another. On Thursday of this week, I'm kick starting my new adventurous life with a visit to London. Christine will paint the fleshpots of the Metropolis a very rich crimson: I have three days and I intend them to be very full indeed. I will visit the British Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, West Minster Abbey and Temple Church and I will also visit the Royal Albert Hall to hear the British Phil perform Handel's Messiah and all without having to modify my plan because I have a bored companion. Perfick #Culture overload.
My timing cannot be judged to be the best-it was one of the coldest Saturdays of the year and I had forgotten just how biting that Pennine wind could be! Add to that the dreadful situation re public toilets in the stations in Manchester City Centre; I found that I needed 30 pence to use them. All I had was my card and a 50 pound note! Boxing clever, or so I thought, I visited Starbucks. Starbucks have no bathroom! I was going to buy a coffee but with 50 pounds felt I needed to order more than a flat white. One flat white, one sausage sandwich, a small yogurt thing and a piece of carrot cake to take to Mum: 15pounds + (I swear I am going to stop using Costa and Starbucks).
I get my stuff, enjoy a very nice cup of coffee and a tasty sausage sandwich, along with the healthy yogurt pot and then I make my way to the loos. Still unable to use them due to the fact that I did not have the right change! No one around to help or advise. That was when I noticed the disabled loo in the corner. I decided to use that but boy did I regret the impulse. I won't shock you with the details. Suffice it to say I will carry disinfectant wipes with me at all times in the future!
That was the downside of the public transport system, as I saw it. However, overall, I was hugely impressed by the tram, bus and rail facilities in my home . There is a very wide hub for quick and convenient travel in the Greater Manchester area and that means that I can be largely independent of my family for getting around.
Now is the time I get to do all those things I always wanted to do but never had the time for...explore my surroundings properly was one and renew my love of music and theatre was another. On Thursday of this week, I'm kick starting my new adventurous life with a visit to London. Christine will paint the fleshpots of the Metropolis a very rich crimson: I have three days and I intend them to be very full indeed. I will visit the British Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, West Minster Abbey and Temple Church and I will also visit the Royal Albert Hall to hear the British Phil perform Handel's Messiah and all without having to modify my plan because I have a bored companion. Perfick #Culture overload.
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