Friday 25th January 2019, 1.40pm (day 2,710)
The liquid refreshment has arrived, at least. A slightly late lunch…. but it’s nice to be on a weekend away. These two factors explain C’s look of contentment.
Being 42
Life, one day at a time
Author Archives: Drew Whitworth
Sinclair’s, Manchester
Thursday 24th January 2019, 3.30pm (day 2,709)
This is Sinclair’s Oyster Bar — oldest pub in Manchester, and also one of the most no-nonsense. Which is not to say it’s rough, because it’s not. But you get the drinks you’re given and you pay cash, and don’t expect plates of radicchio on the side. Best pub for Victoria station anyway — I know not only exactly how long it takes to walk from here, but how long it takes to specific platforms.
Still asleep
Wednesday 23rd January 2019, 7.15am (day 2,708)
What am I doing in Manchester city centre by 7.15am on a winter’s morning? I should still be asleep. Like the guy in this sleeping bag, though hopefully in a more comfortable and less public place.
Snow at Rochdale station
Tuesday 22nd January 2019, 8.30am (day 2,707)
Taken through the train window this morning, and more of an abstract than anything else: the rain (or rather sleet) drops on the window in the upper left quadrant are all too apparent. But it does at least illustrate that we had our first real snow of the winter today. Pretty feeble stuff, admittedly: but it was there.
Mr & Ms Blackbird go foraging
Monday 21st January 2019, 2.15pm (day 2,706)
A male and female blackbird harvest a rare bounty in winter: the crab apples (I guess) on the tree at the bottom of Keighley Road. Not easy to get sharp on a dull grey day with all those twigs to confuse the focus, but it’ll do.
The geese head west
Sunday 20th January 2019, 11.10am (day 2,705)
Why head west? Why not south? Well, the valley runs east-west here so I guess they were trying to work out the best route. Anyway I think Canada geese (which these are — Branta canadensis) live in the UK year-round these days, so maybe they were just commuting up-valley to Todmorden.
Pre-match betting (and beer)
Saturday 19th January 2019, 2.50pm (day 2,704)
Before a match at the “Theatre of Dreams”, no less — Old Trafford, home of Manchester United. But this being a ‘big game’, photography opportunities were limited due to not being able to move around, nor, indeed, allowed to bring in a camera any bigger than a small matchbox. This is taken with my old compact rig. I guess I just like the beer (plastic) glasses lined up…. beer and gambling, things to do on a Saturday afternoon (I don’t bet, myself).
Father Ted’s caravan
Friday 18th January 2019, 2.20pm (day 2,703)
“Scenic caravan site in Yorkshire. Elevated location. On outskirts of Oakworth village (location for The Railway Children movie) and approx. 1.5 miles from Haworth and its famous Brontë Parsonage Museum.”
Anyone remember that Father Ted episode where the priests go on holiday to the worst caravan site in the world?
First light at the mobile mast
Thursday 17th January 2019, 8.35am (day 2,702)
As noted on Tuesday, this was another day spent entirely at home, but at least the sun was out. The mobile mast across the valley — which has probably featured on a dozen shots or more by now (e.g. this one) — and the trees around it catch the first rays of sunlight to make it over the valley walls. The bird is a little extra touch.
Kilburn Building in the sun
Wednesday 16th January 2019, 3.10pm (day 2,701)
One of those days on which I got soaked in foul winter rain on the walk to campus from the station, and dreaded doing it again on the way back — but fortunately, the sun came out. Here, for once I don’t mind the lamppost in the shot.
I really hope there won’t be too many Manchester pictures over the next few months — at least that will be an indication that my sabbatical will be something meaningful. But it doesn’t start yet: I will be there most of next week before I can escape for a while.
Being 42 