Wednesday 15th November 2023, 1.50pm (day 4,465)
Multiple meanings in the title of today’s post, for I was, indeed, studying while in the White Swan this afternoon — as was this gentleman. That’s my excuse, anyway.
Pub study
Being 42
Life, one day at a time
Category Archives: Stranger
The Ship Inn, Brighouse
Saturday 28th October 2023, 12.50pm (day 4,447)
I wonder how many different public houses have appeared on here over the last 12 years. Quite a few I imagine. Free advertising: the Ship in Brighouse does very good BLT sandwiches for only £3.50. And thanks to its Halloween decorations, it gives good purple — a shade almost exactly matched by the woman’s coat, which I think is why I like this shot.
In the food queue, Avro FC
Friday 13th October 2023, 7.35pm (day 4,432)
A Friday night out, for me and for them. And why not spend it at a football match. It was damn cold though: as 5ºC seemed a reasonable estimation I’d say it was about 15ºC cooler than my last one, on Sunday. We all needed some warm food.
Sophia’s portrait
Saturday 7th October 2023, 4.20pm (day 4,426)
Another person’s art — and this time, with the artist. Sophia is depicted at the Friends of St Helena annual meeting, telling us about her inspirations, as a person born in Britain of St Helenian descent, and never having visited the island until earlier this year (in fact she was there in January and February when I was, but I don’t remember meeting her). The guy pictured is her grandfather, born on the island but left 78 years ago. Her art is really good, I don’t do it justice here, but I like the picture anyway.
A fragrant Mood (not an advert)
Tuesday 3rd October 2023, 12.35pm (day 4,422)
Apparently “Mood” is the gender-neutral fragrance of the season, if the large stall in the Arndale Centre, exclusively devoted to tempting us to buy it, is anything to go by. But one might advise them to be a little more subtle when it comes to pumping out the scent. By the time I had walked past I was already sick of it.
Stencil artist
Monday 25th September 2023, 11.45am (day 4,414)
Someone else’s art. It was nice, too — when I walked back past this on the way home (it is by the Chinese Arch in Manchester) it was finished and looked good, perhaps it will feature on here at some point in the future.
In the City Arms
Wednesday 6th September 2023, 3.50pm (day 4,395)
I am late posting and after Thursday’s and Friday’s exertions, this stopover in the City Arms after work seems like a while ago. It’s best pub I’ve found in Manchester city centre though — so I know that what was being served here was a fine pint.
Boatman
Thursday 31st August 2023, 11.25am (day 4,389)
I don’t know whether the 19th century did outdoor seating and umbrellas in quite the same way as the Stubbings Wharf pub does in 2023, but otherwise this picture could well have been taken 150 years ago: man (with beard) waiting for nearby lock to fill, and trying to stop the boat floating away while he does so. It’s a slow way of life on the water, which I guess is why plenty of people like to live it.
Filming on campus
Wednesday 30th August 2023, 11.55am (day 4,388)
Campus is not exactly an over-used resource at this time of year but there were some signs of life today. And at least the sun put in an appearance, although whatever these guys were planning they still felt they needed additional illumination, and it’s the apparently floating light that offers this shot enough appeal to make it today’s choice.
The crowd at Trafford FC
Tuesday 15th August 2023, 8.00pm (day 4,373)
I said yesterday that grim as it was, the forecast was for improvement, and the sun duly shone on me and 309 other people who spent their Tuesday evening at the ground of Trafford FC, a few miles west of Manchester city centre. Perhaps not the biggest club located in their metropolitan borough (I’m sure most people could name the biggest if they thought about it for a minute): but a friendly one. I chose this shot today because of the excellent rim-light, but also the woman laughing in the middle. At least — I think she’s laughing.
Being 42 