It’s the first week of the semester, so the following things traditionally appear: lots more people (students); a collection of marquees with various AV equipment and heaters; and rain. It always seems to rain in Welcome week, year in, year out.
I was just passing, honest. The crowd who were in the foyer of University Place next door were doubtless heading here shortly after I did so, ready to spoil the pristine purpleness of the carpet, at least. But I’m sure the posters were interesting.
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.
This will be the last day for a while I see the Manchester campus in any form of peaceful state. The erection of this marquee today is just one sign that from the next time I’m there, on Tuesday, there will be people. Thousands upon thousands of them.
None of my students are present — they all usually graduate in December — but the summer graduation ceremonies bring a last burst of life to the campus before it really shuts down for high summer. Not that there were any attendees yet present this morning when I took this shot. Not much light in Manchester this morning but the seats have caught a dim flicker.
This marquee sits outside my building at uni, where thousands of people currently wander around looking half-lost and half-excited. Whatever was going on in here yesterday, though, it’s moved on, though no one has yet thought to clear up the balloons.
Being 42 