Take Two

So, I leave here yesterday and take the countrified, daffodil lined road towards home.  The daffs were so pretty and such a welcome sight.  I digress... I drove up and down the high street several times before I found a parking space.  Eventually parked, hiked my way up the high street because I'd parked on the border of the next village practically, only to find that the shop was closed.  Sign on the door said opening times 9.30am - 4.30pm and it was 11 but no lights, no movement, shutters down.  Do you think someone is trying to tell me something?  I'm aiming for third time lucky today but if it's unsuccessful, I'm tempted to give up.  (Don't worry, it'll wear off, I'm just having a dramatic moment for effect.)  Funny though, my horoscope this week said something along the lines of; something you start this week will be successful but it will take time to grow and you must be patient.  Sally Brompton knows me so well.

So I return home, unload the jewellery, (again,) and warm a bowl of barley soup.  Note to self; don't buy that again... think it was the smell that put me off.  J headed over to me in the afternoon then I drove us to Manchester.  J wanted to visit Afflecks Palace, really is an Aladdin's cave in there and we must have  been in the bead shop alone for over an hour.  Can you imagine how excited J was?  I chose some "wild heart" crystals to make some earrings, you know I need to trial the prototypes before unleashing to the public... it's only right ;)

When we eventually prized ourselves out of Afflecks and back into the pouring rain which had soaked us upon arrival, we were tempted into Debenhams new cafe, it looked so inviting from outside and a little glam with gorgeous light fittings, I'm a sucker for glam so we were tempted to give it a whirl, plus I was cold and ever so slightly soggy. 

We spent a couple of minutes deciphering the board, I wasn't in the mood for a capp or a latte and the only option which remotely tempted me was "black coffee."  I decided to ask the very nice assistant possibly the daftest question of the day; if I wanted a normal coffee, should I order the black and just add milk?  Nice assistant must have been asked a million times already because she just smiled and nodded.  Can I suggest they change the sign?  Coffee was really nice btw.

It must be two years at least since I've been to Manchester city centre and it's looking good!  Lots of changes but all for the better, we'll be going back again soon no doubt. 

While out and about, we noticed a cross dresser out with his friends, couldn't help but notice to be honest because he really stood out, but good on him, he's being true to himself.  You know those striking men like RuPaul and you just think, wow... super model!  Beatuiful skin, hair, features?  Well... he wasn't like that.  He was in his fifties, terrible dress sense, ill fitting clothes, cheap wig... he still looked better than me.

Before heading home, we ate in  Wagamama's, absolutely gorgeous and had, duck dumplings, edamame and yaki soba...again.  Always think I'm going to try something new but it's just too good.  Our waiter, Matcheck (sp?) was lovely and tried to convince us to return for Sunday lunch.  Shattered by the time I'd driven home, well past my bedtime but worth it.  Off to the jewellers now... to be continued.