Manchester (without Harvey)

So the bed was the hardest either of us had slept in, John struggled to sleep because of it and also because our window was right next to a noisy road. The sofa was incredibly uncomfortable and the only crockery to eat a main meal from was some very shallow, very small cereal bowls. Oh, and there was no washing up liquid but there was a scourer sponge ... a gross one. So, the apartment was not what we'd hoped for.

But onto better things ... we went out and had an enjoyable day. Wandered around Salford Quays and Media City and went to the Imperial War Museum North, which was harrowing but really well done with an amazing sculpture depicting war. Lovely tram ride into the centre and a walk to the David Hockney. Lunched on (for me) tepid soup and a dry bread roll (which was meant to be a brioche). Both had to be rectified by rather dispassionate staff.
The exhibition was purely digital immersion, surrounded by projections and sound. There were little kids sillhouted against the projections as they daintily ran from wall to wall. Delightful!
Afterwards we had time to visit the museum of Science and Industry, which was a very disappointing shadow of its former self. Completely pared down to one floor. I suppose it was around 30 years since I was last there.
Next stop was a walk to the Whitworth Art Gallery There was a stunning exhibition of Barbara Walker's drawings and paintings depicting Black UK citizens. She had a section called 'vanishing point' with a technique of removing white people from images but still representing them by embossed shapes. You could just see shadowy shapes. Hard to describe or photograph but very powerful.
Evening back at the apartment.Read more