My football habit does give me the chance to go exploring: that and the photo-blogging are all part of the same mix, really. I have been to Darwen, south of Blackburn, before but it didn’t make it onto here so this can be its debut. A former centre of textile manufacture, making paint is its main industry these days, and I guess the mural could represent one or both of these endeavours.
It’s been a long time since I went to any kind of live theatrical performance. The last time one was depicted on here was probably 30th December 2018 (The Producers, in Manchester). In large part we can, of course, thank two years of The Great Fear for this, and that also explains why there’s been no Hebden Bridge Burlesque Festival since 2019. But this has returned, tonight was the finale, and as they needed some ushers (glorified fire marshals) I got to put on a suit and go and see it for free. We were allowed to take photos only at the end, so here’s the one chance I got. This woman, CeCe Sinclair, was the MC, and a bloody good job she made of it. She did it while not wearing much, but that’s burlesque for you. A better-than-average Sunday evening, anyway.
The other side of the Mersey, that is. Hence, on the (recently updated) stats this photo counts as one in Birkenhead, not Liverpool. But Liverpool is what you see here, including both its cathedrals: Catholic (a.k.a. “Paddy’s Wigwam“) on the left, the Anglican one on the right.
The second Manchester alleyway of the week — this one known as Reyner Street. Proof that if given a foothold, and a bit of sun for an hour or so a day, foliage can flourish anywhere.
Mathilda the cat has appeared on this blog more often than any other animal but definitely moved away, her last appearance (of six) being on 3/3/20. This puss is a tortoiseshell as she was, and appeared today in the same location — but it is not her. I got a fairly friendly reaction however, so perhaps s/he is putting in a bid for repeated appearances, just as Mathilda did.
This is a photowhack — the only picture I took today.
A Tuesday morning in Manchester. Either I was having a major case of déjà vu, or this same guy was still sat in the same spot when I came back past this point in the afternoon.
Brighton is still in the top ten of this blog’s most-depicted locations, but hasn’t been seen since February 2018, until yesterday anyway. There are reasons why I should regain the habit of coming here. How much longer the old West Pier will last before collapsing entirely into the sea, no one knows for sure, but the ruins will doubtless feature on many people’s photos before they do.
I was working today, Sunday — but this was no hardship, as it involved being in the press box for a Premier League game, namely Brighton v Southampton. This was the scene after the match, as we — ‘the media’ I guess (about 20 guys of varying ages, no women I’m afraid) — awaited the arrival of the managers. Each perhaps frustrated that there was no winning goal for either: 2-2 was the final score. On this one I like the basic monochrome, set off by the one flash of colour.
Located behind one end of Tonbridge Angels FC’s ground, this looks like a peaceful scene although there are at least eleven hundred football fans in reasonably close proximity. I like the muted colour scheme and the chess-board pattern reflected in the ball above.
Being 42 
