We decided to have supper out and accordingly prepared ourselves for an evening excursion in the rain. Fortunately, the rain was not very heavy.

The daylight was by now giving way to the electric lights of street signs and places of entertainment.

Photo by Tigger

We went to PizzaExpress for our supper.

PizzaExpress – Photo by Tigger

When we emerged, darkness had fallen completely, making the electric lights seem even brighter.

Tram stop – Photo by Tigger

Entertainments a go-go – Photo by Tigger

Panorama – Photo by Tigger

After our supper, we were content to return home for the night, though Tigger did take some photos along the way, including those credited to her above.

Good night, Manchester!

Doves of Peace outside the museum.

We took to the free bus once more, boarding number 1 outside the Civil Justice Centre.

We sat at the back of the bus this time. We left the bus at Manchester Piccadilly once again and entered the Moose Coffee bar.

Moose Coffee.

After this break, we again rode the free buses until we came to this picturesquely handsome edifice.

This panorama shot by Tigger is of the John Rylands Library.

A corridor in the library. Though you cannot see it from the photo, the ceiling bosses are all carved in the shapes of animals, real or fantastic.

Corridor window

A more modern section of the library

This is s statue of Enriqueta Rylands (1843-1908), wife of John, who, after his death in 1888, built this splendid library to his memory and honour. Statue by John Cassidy, 1905.

Admission to the library and the current special exhibition on Peterloo is free. Photography without flash is permitted everywhere except in the special exhibition.

After this, we felt we had done enough for the time being and rode free bus number back to our apartment where we made tea, recharged our devices and rested ourselves. We may go out again later for supper.

The bed is a bit “bouncy” but I managed to sleep well enough. As usual on the first morning in a new lodging, I had to get to grips the the shower.

As is the norm these days, the shower is fitted over the bath with a glass side-panel to prevent it splashing out into the rest of the bathroom. There is no anti-slip mat and no safety rails for you to hold onto if you do slip. The shower head is fixed and sprays directly downwards so you have to wriggle and squirm like an exotic dancer to wet and rinse all parts of your body.

According to the weather forecast, it is going to rain all day, every day, until Saturday when we leave. Forecasts are of course not trustworthy and we can only hope that they are wrong in this instance too. Manchester has a reputation for being rainy but this forecast smacks of vindictiveness!

So far, grey and dull but not actually raining. Fingers crossed.

Near our apartment is the famous Arndale Centre. We went in to look for breakfast.

Inside we found a branch of Costa that served the purpose perfectly.

When we emerged, we received a pleasant surprise: the sun was shining!

I don’t know what purpose this, now rather shabby, building was made for but the style and attention to detail speak of an architectural age long past.

This is the Corn Exchange in the picturesquely named Hanging Ditch Lane.

A view with two clocks (and an unwanted head).

We took to the free bus number 2.

Inside the bus.

The number 2 took us to Manchester Piccadilly Station where we changed to free bus number1.

Aboard the free bus we travelled to the Museum of People’s History. We watched a film on the Peterloo Massacre, part of a special exhibition on the subject.

A view through the museum window.

We visited the rest of the museum.

Display of banners.

Stained glass window from the Socialist Institute, Nelson, Lancashire.

We rounded off our visit with lunch in the museum cafe.

What shall we do this afternoon?