The sign I have got in my photograph applies to the two seats underneath it - give up for disabled, elderly people - occupied by two elderly ladies who vacated the train halfway through the journey but the seat was immediately taken by two young women. Perhaps the disabled lady was invisible to all except me! Or does this just sum up what a selfish nation we have become? Merry Christmas, Goodwill to All Men!
Anyway, now I have got that off my chest I will show you some photographs of the lovely half day I had with my friend Paul in Manchester. Here he is just before we entered the ginnel (because I like the faces etc on the archway.
and here is a closeup of what caught my eye. Look at all the tools around the edge and inside were all manner of carvings. Must go back with my camera and take better shots some time.
The Christmas Markets were mega busy - that is the cathedral in the background
The singing tree (above) in St Ann's Square treated us to "Oh Tannenbaum" whilst the one on the corner in Albert Square was collecting donations for Macmillan Nurses.
and this one, in Spinningfields, is self explanatory
These chalets were also in Spinningfields and a welcome resting place with a hot drink (chocolate or Gluhwein?) especially if it turns to rain - or worse - before Christmas Eve. This is also where the ice rink is and the helter skelter which Paul threatened to put me on.
On our way back to the tram we walked along Market Street and saw this real live man (he acknowledged some money being put into his box so he was real). Now how do you think he managed to do this? People were feeling beneath him - there was nothing there. I think I will leave you with this puzzle.
Linking this to Annie's Friday Smile as I had a lovely time seeing Paul, lots of laughter and smiles all round, even though I was a little cross on the tram home.
ps liked these two printed pieces of fabric in a shop window thought Annie might like them too.
17 comments:
Glad you had a nice day out - even if you got mad with those inconsiderate people on the tram! Love that photo of the suspended man... must be some sort of very very clear perspex box he's sat on?? very clever though, and different to the usual statue types we've got so used to!
You're right Neet I do love the fabric :-)
Looks like you had a lovely day out and I'm with your on the tram experience. It's so tempting to say something but these days it's safer to say nothing.
Hugs,
Annie x
Great day out - lovely to see you both again :) Pity you had something to mar the journey home. Pox
Aaagh I wishnt tint would correct my "Pxx" to Pox - that's not the image I want lol
I just wrote a post about the not so great British public. There must be something in the air.
As a disabled traveller, I find it incredibly rude when people ignore the signs requesting they vacate spaces reserved for disabled. In the main, I've found people kove of their own accord when they spy a wheelchair,
but we do live in a very rural, and not overly busy part of the Uk. I can image if I had to commute daily, I would find a very different scenario,
As an aside, I love your tree face photo, it looks like a lovely day out for the most part.
Hi Neet, great set of photos, I love seeing what's going on elsewhere in the world because they're not as extravagant here in Australia. The statue man does puzzle me though!! No comment for those thoughtless people on the tram maybe I hope they need somewhere to sit later in life. Cheers, enjoy your weekend Robyn
Sorry I'm late getting here. Just said good-bye to my Thanksgiving company. We were just talking about how the season (Thanksgiving in the US) seems to bring out the good in people. It's too bad that same spirit can't continue months later, or even across the pond. I feel sorry for anyone who has been put in that situation. to me, it's a bullying tactic, and I fear I'd have said something. But I have a big mouth when it comes to injustice, so I fear I'll step in it one of these days.
The photos of your day out were marvelous. All the trees and the tools and other carvings were all beautiful. I could go on forever, but I'll just stop here and let you know that Bleubeard says hi and hope you have a great weekend.
We will be visiting Manchester regularly soon (2nd grandchild due in April - and my stepson lives in Newton le Willows). Have not been to the city centre for years and looking forward to see how it has changed. Love that archway - fab carving.
I would have been angered by those on the tram too. I always wonder whether my years of suffering makes me more sympathetic to others' needs. However, I then remember that my parents brought me up to care for everyone (my mum volunteered at a daycare centre for children with physical and mental disabilities, so I played alongside everyone and learnt to respect regardless of how people look/behave).
I get so sad when I see how this world is going.
Ali x
It looks like a fabulous day out and such a shame that we haven't taught our kids to give up seats to older/disabled people. Perhaps the driver could have said to free up the seats over a loud speaker and shame them into moving!
So sorry you had that bad experience, not a great way to end a lovely day! I had a good experience recently on a train to London, I got offered three seats by some very nice gentlemen - I have never had that experience before so it was lovely. Love your great pics of your day out. Hugs, Anne xx
I dropped by again to let you know I finally opened my eco-dyed fabric, in case you want to take a look:
http://alteredbooklover.blogspot.com/2014/11/eco-dyeing-process-revealed-for-final.html
I would forgive the pushchair occupying that spot (what choice do they have?) but not the young people taking the only available seats! I would also blame the transport company for not supplying sufficient service to the passengers. When I pay full price for a ticket I expect to be able to sit down for the duration of my journey. Luckily I very seldom have to take public transport, but the other week me and my son got stuck in Gloucester and had to take a train back home. When it arrived at the station, it was already jam packed and nobody got off while there were dozens of people wanting to get on. We somehow managed to squeeze in like sardines in a tin. If animals were transported that way, the RSPCA would step in! It was horrendous! Fortunately, the journey only took about 25 or minutes but we were feeling faint by the time we got off for lack of air. I was going to write a letter to the train company to enquire why on earth they only sent two coaches during the Saturday rush hour, but I didn't want to dwell on it. Actually, I quite forgot about this experience until I read your post. Sorry for the rant too! We tend to do this when we think we were wronged. And don't even get me started on my Ryan Air experience, LOL! Anyways, lovely to "see you" outside WOYWW. It looks like you had a lovely day out! Happy Sunday!
Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I've not been yet - hopefully in the next week. I think society has changed so much. Having said that an older lady was holding open a door for one of her friends and after said friend went through the door just let it go even though I was right behind her. So maybe the older generation can be just as unsociable. Have a lovely week.
How did he do that!?!
I loved the pictures of the Christmas market.
Sandy xx
I would of given the rude commuters a serving of words, respect for your elders to start with and don't be rude and ignorant. Great post, first one I have read in ages, life is really busy
Hugs Eliza
People can be so selfish! Two ladies with buggies wouldn't move on the bus to let a wheelchair on - it was pouring with rain - I politely said something and they both screamed obscenities and insults at me! No one defended me and I was very shaken and shocked! But most of all I felt sorry for the lady left in the rain in her wheelchair! Your pictures are fabulous and I have emailed you as you asked - I am intrigued! xxx
What a rollercoaster of a post! I was plunged in to gloom at the outset - we really are caught in a selfish era, I think! - and then what a wonderful tour around with your fabulous photos... I love the trees (Pringles!!), and am beaming to see the giant wooden Weihnacht's Pyramid. We have one just like that (only smaller!) which comes out every Christmas... I'd love to see this version in real life. But thank you for the photo for now!!
Alison xx
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