Thursday 11th February 2016, 8.00am (day 1,631)
Still occasionally to be seen on small, provincial British railways. This monster bombed through Hebden Bridge station slightly in advance of the 8:05 to Manchester, headed for unknown places.
Being 42
Life, one day at a time
Exchange Square, Manchester
Wednesday 10th February 2016, 10.45am (day 1,630)
I know we were here less than a week ago, with the dragon, but he’s moved on, and this was the best picture I got today to celebrate a strange atmospheric condition in Manchester this morning; an odd blue cast to the light, a weird dryness in the air and a burning yellow ball above, giving nostalgic reminders of times long past. It was very pleasant. I like here how the Corn Exchange is reflected in the glass.
A new chilli
Tuesday 9th February 2016, 12.20pm (day 1,629)
Most of 2016 so far has been two things — firstly, lacking in any light (so few sunny days…), and second, very housebound, which this picture in its way is intended to represent. However, the latter limitation, at least, is about to change, with it being quite feasible that over the next four weeks only three pictures will have to be taken in Hebden Bridge. The weather…. well, I can be less sure about that.
High water, again
Monday 8th February 2016, 1.35pm (day 1,628)
No weather warnings have been issued and it seems to have stopped raining…. but recent events suggest that we should at least be wary when the river reaches this level. It’s not just about heavy rainfall, either. We should also blame the government — flooding isn’t caused by heavy rain, but by shitty decisions about land use, some of them stretching back centuries. Ah well, seeing as we’ve reached the ‘let’s cross our fingers and hope’ stage of flood prevention, let’s just do that.
Sunday market, Hebden Bridge
Sunday 7th February 2016, 11.35am (day 1,627)
Limited horizons today, and don’t expect much else to change over the next couple of days either. It’s marking season. And the weather continues revolting — this is as good as the day got. There have been about half a dozen sunny days in three months, if that.
Clare, Saturday night out
Saturday 6th February 2016, 9.30pm (day 1,626)
It’s been months since there was a proper portrait of the wife on this blog, so let’s make up for it with this shot from our night out at the Trades Club (‘Nutclough City Limits’). Clare seems to be enjoying the evening despite the fact that a small woman appears to be dancing on her belly.
Have a good day?
Friday 5th February 2016, 9.15am (day 1,625)
The title of this post is taken from the graffiti in the background. I hope he did have a good day, but I have no way of knowing for sure.
Dragon (presumably Chinese)
Thursday 4th February 2016, 3.05pm (day 1,624)
This creature suddenly appeared in Exchange Square today. But I think we’re safe — it appears to be tied down. The guy in front seems keener to take a picture of something else, anyway, suggesting he isn’t feeling threatened.
My courtyard
Wednesday 3rd February 2016, 10.00am (day 1,623)
My office has been in the Ellen Wilkinson building for ten and a half years, plenty of time to become familiar with its charms which, on the whole, are pretty minimal. With the exception of this courtyard in the centre, which I love, because as I am sure I’ve said before, all three entrances to it hide in plain sight and amazingly few people ever use it. It’s one of the few spots on the Manchester campus where you’re guaranteed some peace and quiet.
Television lights
Tuesday 2nd February 2016, 3.05pm (day 1,622)
Don’t know what particular TV or movie production was being the latest to use Hebden Bridge as a location this afternoon, but someone was — these huge lights were blasting it out hours after sunset, even our house felt well-lit and it lies a quarter of a mile away.
Being 42 