The Great (Caring) British Public (not)

Today I was on the Metro travelling from Manchester to Bury and witnessed what a caring public we have - NOT!  A lady boarded the tram with one of those walking machines that have a seat on allowing the user to sit whenever necessary.  There are designated places on the tram for disabled people to sit and to park their wheelchairs/walkers.  The tram was rather full and the space for a wheelchair user was taken up with a young woman and her pushchair. One could argue that the pram could not fit elsewhere as there is no room apart from there but no apology was given to the disabled lady and the two men who stood leaning, where she could have parked her trolley and sat, occupied themselves looking at their phones.  For 25 minutes?  Really? The lady had to stand all the way holding on to the overhead rail and her trolley whilst the tram lurched from side to side.  Should she have said something? Should I have said something?

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.

A Friday Smile or Two

Well, today my big son came to see me before he starts work on Tuesday.  He was made redundant in March and we all got quite despondent in the last couple of months so it was lovely when he finally  got a job.  Mum simply had to see him before he starts work as there will be no more visits during the week for a while - just hope he settles and enjoys it - sounds like a good company to work for.

Had to smile as he opened the bag he had brought with him and said "I have something for you mum". Then produced a sweater he wanted mending at the neck and a bath robe he wanted a fastener putting on.  Men!  Still it was lovely to have him here for lunch and the afternoon.

If you want a smile this week head on over to Annie's blog and see what she and others have been smiling about.

Decided to hang on to a wall plaque I made with Lindsay Mason at a workshop she did for Victoria Stampers until today because the little cute image and the wording makes me smile - hope it does you too.

I brought mine home and mounted it on a larger piece of corrugated card which I had painted and then embellished on the edges with gold ep.  I just love it and I don't do cute!  Bet a certain little girl, who is coming tomorrow, thinks it is for her - and gets to take it home!

ps: forgot, my son (all 6'5" of him) saw a big man's shirt I had bought to be used as an art cover-all and has now taken it home to try on (it was damp having just been washed).  Is nothing sacred?