Manchester Pride

Yesterday was a big day for Manchester.  The annual Pride event, which so many people spend so much time and effort to entertain, make statements and promote essential local support groups.  Whatever the cause or reason the day is one which celebrates diversity and love.

Two people who joined us and enjoyed the event were friends Pauline and Neil (nb ‘Waterlily’) who travelled into the city from their home for their first Pride event. 

Doug managed a few moments with Christopher “ Biggins”, who lead the parade through the city, under the wonderful sunshine which graced the day for all of us.

The Police Service entry is always given a rousing reception.

‘easyJet’, who have sponsored this year’s event, and who have joined in very visibly with a number of  attractions this weekend, gave everyone something else very visible and lovely to look at in the parade!

The Manchester LGBT Corus.

A number a faith groups always take part and show their support.

Two people who seem to be thoroughly enjoying the atmosphere (and all the freebies – pink hats, flags, sweatbands, whistles, ponchos, ice lollies, woolly hats, the list goes on!)

Love in leather ……..

…… and even angels hold hands with little devils and demons! (far left)

Who’s that guy in the pink fireman’s hat?

Glorious bagpipes.

The Fire Brigade sporting one of their new min fire engines.

A local water polo team.

Most of these shots show groups or individual entries but there were some very well turned out floats as well.

Size reversal – mini engine / giant extinguisher.

After the parade the world and his brother “retired” to the Gay Village for some refreshment.  Astonishingly, we caught up with a few people that we’d met briefly in the past  - a couple of girls who boarded a plane with us at Gatwick in February!………

…….. and Dean and his partner who we met at a caravan event three years ago!  It’s a small world and it’s out there to be enjoyed!

One of those marvellous occasions when it’s so crowded that you can’t see your feet.

Even the Queen turned out for us!

Well we had a great, great day.  After the parade we met up with Pauline and Neil’s daughter Vicky and a wonderful group of her very clever and talented friends, having a drink and bite to eat with them before going back to ‘Chance’ for forty winks.  After that it was down to the village for a great night out which resulted in one of those 4 am finishes! 

A locking job before Pride.

We’ve still been mooching about Manchester for last couple of days.

We found the oldest riverside pup in the city (on the River Irwell) a day or so ago but yesterday evening was the eve before Pride and we enjoyed the atmosphere in Canal Street as the crowds grew bigger and bigger, waiting for the first group performances of the weekend.

Compare Amy Lamé and Anthony Cotton opened the weekend on stage.

On the main stage, among others, The Feeling were fantastic and on stage in Sackville Gardens, Rewind, a very talented boy band, gave us a good evening.  There were some heavy showers of rain which dampened things a bit but on the whole it was a great first evening.  Here are a couple of shots of The Feeling taken with a phone, sorry to say, as we didn’t have the camera.

Today we got up early and took the tram to New Islington where we met up with Ian and Karen on nb ‘Tacet’ to help them down the Rochdale 9 and into Castlefield Basin. They kindly gave us breakfast at 8am before we started the journey down.  It’s great to see them again since our last meeting on the Kennet and Avon Canal earlier in the year

The first lock of the day – Doug, Karen and Ian on the boat.

Getting to Canal Street – we were about half way down and the rain was holding off well.

All the flags are out in readiness for Manchester’s biggest weekend. 

We got down the flight in a very reasonable hour and a half and ‘Tacet’ was safely moored in Castlefield by 10:15.  The main Pride Parade starts today at  1 o’ clock so we’re getting ready for the celebrations to start. Just hope the weather holds!

A trip out of town.

Yesterday, by taking the tram from Deansgate, we had a trip down to MediaCity to see how things are progressing there since our last visit.

The Plaza at 11 o’ clock in the morning – not a soul about.  The large BBC complex is on the left, where we peered through the windows and watched the live sports report being broadcast.

The very futuristic Imperial War Museum North.  We had a look around and felt the exhibits had been dumbed down a bit (especially the videos).  There’s a lift which goes up to a viewing platform in the sticky-up bit.

The pedestrian bridge from the BBC studios on one side and ITV on the other.  The place was eerily quiet with just a few other people about apart from ourselves.

From the viewing platform in the War Museum we were able to look down on the construction of the new Coronation Street set at the ITV studios …………….

……….. and we also got a good view of Manchester United’s ground Old Trafford.

After MediaCity we took a nice long walk to the Trafford Centre (a little bit of Las Vegas in England).  We took the adventurous route as part of our walk!

We walked past the lovely Trafford Park Hotel which is sadly empty and being allowed to fall into disrepair.

At the Trafford Centre, after a bit of shopping, we had a very nice lunch in “Pesto” (always good) while James nursed a blister on his little toe.  After that it was a walk back to MediaCity again where we caught the tram back to Manchester.

Sitting behind the tram driver we got a great view forward.  They’ve planted grass between the tracks in places which gives a much softer feeling to the track.

We had a quick wash and brush up on ‘Chance’ before getting another tram to Altrincham where friends Pauline and Neil from nb ‘Waterlily’ picked us up and took us further on to their beautiful home for dinner.

They made us very welcome and we had a super time with them enjoying Pauline’s wonderful cooking and chatting and laughing ‘till we were nearly too late to get the last tram home to Manchester.

However, we did catch the last tram and got safely back home to ‘Chance’ just after midnight.  Thanks to both of you for your great hospitality and great company.

Showtime again!

We had an early relax in the sunshine at “The Wharf”.  A converted warehouse on the Castlefield Basin very close to our mooring.

These self timers on these cameras are useful sometimes.

Walking  into town we passed the “building that moved”.  Piece by piece they moved and rebuilt it.

We had lunch at Zizzi’s in Exchange Square.

Back at the boat we had another pleasant visit from friend Stephen as he was in Manchester yesterday evening.

We went to the Opera House later to see 9 to 5, having an impromptu performance by the Manchester LGBT choir on the pavement outside before the show.

The show was brilliant and surpassing the standard of some West End, London performances.

Ben Richards was excellent as the main character Franklyn Hart, with the added voice over of Dolly Parton on stage made a great show.