Tigger discovered that there were illuminations so, after dark, we went out to take a look. This event is called the Corridor of Light, a name to which, in my opinion, the actual illuminations did scant justice.

Night scene

This photo is not part of the illuminations but is here to set the scene of “Manchester at night”, as it were. I’m not sure we caught all the illuminations. We might have missed the odd one or two.

Illuminated trees

This avenue of illuminated trees was not part of the Corridor of Light but was pretty on its own account.

Disco lights

This was arguably the best item. The lights rotated like disco lights. (See Note at the end of the post.)

Photo by Tigger

This one had to be photographed between the strips in a gate, hence the narrow image.

Photo by Tigger

A set of different colours followed one another in a rotating sequence.

Old town hall

This façade was illuminated with static lights.

Commercial premises

The windows of these commercial premises were illuminated with static lights.

Moving beam

We first spotted this moving light like the beam of a searchlight and, later, found the source (next picture).

The source of the spotlight

This building, itself lit with static lights, was the source of the moving spotlight.

Everything Up in the Air

This static display was the last one we saw. Were there more? Did we miss some? I don’t know. Tigger proposed taking a cab back to the hotel and I was happy to concur.

Back in our temporary nest on the fourth floor, we had a light supper of tea and the remaining crisps and Babybel cheeses from the train. As we had had a substantial lunch, that was enough.

Note: When we are out and about (as now), uploading live photos converted to GIFs (which are very big files) eats into my mobile’s data like nobody’s business. So, to avoid the horrendous expense, I now upload still pictures first time around and replace these with moving pictures (uploaded via the PC at home) later. Thus, some of the above stills will be replaced by their moving counterparts when we return home. I shall follow this practice in future “on the hoof” posts.

I cannot say I spent the best ever night in this hotel. The bed is “bouncy” and the pillows plump but soft so that your head sinks into them and you feel you are being suffocated. I’m glad we have only one more night to go.

The shower

Hotel showers are remarkable for the variety of their designs. Each has quirks of its own that you have to discover and deal with – all being well, without scalding yourself. I am the shower pioneer, so to speak: I go first to explore – and, we hope, tame – the hotel shower. This shower is a typical example: manageable but somewhat cramped for space and the floor is slippery.

A corner of our room

Before showering we of course made tea. Our reservation does not include breakfast, so we will find somewhere outside. Untidy room, did you say? Yes, well, in such a small room, with very little storage, it’s hard to be tidy.

A tiny wardrobe

In one corner, beside the bed, where it is difficult to access, is a tiny wardrobe. It’s easier to take the hangers and hook them onto various projections around the room.

Impressive entrance (1898)

As a clue to the size and design of the room, indications are that this building was once for student accommodation. Thus our “double” room was once a study bedroom for one person and contained a single bed, leaving more space for movement and storage.

Alan Turing Memorial

We walked to Piccadilly Station and on the way entered Sackville Gardens where this sculpture sits on a bench. It supposedly portrays Alan Turing, though the face looks nothing like the usual photos of the great man. Nor is the artist’s name indicated.

Cityscape with tram

We crossed a pedestrian bridge to the station from where I took this photo showing one of Manchester’s trams. I have mentioned that we are fans of trams!

Breakfast at Caffè Nero
Photo by Tigger

Near the station is a branch of Caffè Nero and we had our breakfast here. They had only two plain croissants so we supplemented these with raspberry ones.

Free bus route 2

We now caught the free bus, route 2, to our next destination. Some other cities also have a free bus service but Manchester is unusually generous in having three routes. These no doubt help move people quickly about the central area and encourage them to leave their cars at home.

The Opera House

We left the bus near the Opera House, though we had not come for the opera. (I think you guessed 🙂 )

Rolls Royce Motor Car 1905
Science+Industry Museum

We had come to the Science+Industry Museum. Admission is free but you have to book tickets to regulate numbers and prevent overcrowding.

Alan Turing

Here, unsurprisingly, we found further traces of Alan Turing.

“Baby”, world’s first stored program computer 1948

There was an exhibition of popular music that Tigger wanted to see but which interested me not at all. So Tigger visited the exhibition while I stayed among the science – much more to my taste.

19th-century beam engine

Later, Tigger rejoined me and we set off again.

Crossing the Bridgewater Canal

We crossed the Bridgewater Canal and…

Crossing the Irwell

…the Rivet Irwell into Salford where another destination awaited.

Salford Lads Club

This was Salford Lads Club, founded 1903, motto “To brighten young lives and make good citizens”. It’s open to the public on Saturday mornings. The following pictures probably speak for themselves.

Farewell shot

We now undertook a longish walk to Oldfield Road Retail Park where there was…

Coffee and a sit-down

…a Costa, where we could have coffee and sit down for a while.

Aboard the bus

After our leisurely coffee break, we caught a bus back to central Manchester to look for lunch.

Zorba’s at Arndale Market
Photo by Tigger

After casting around for a while we entered the Arndale Market and found that Zorba’s had a selection of veggie Greek-style dishes.

Lunch in a box
Photo by Tigger

So we had lunch in a box, not expensive but very tasty,

Free bus, route 2

After lunch, as we had done a lot of walking, we once more took to the free bus, route 2. It served for a while as our tour bus.

Sackville Gardens

After a ride and some sight-seeing, we left the bus and passed by Sackville Gardens and Alan Turing, this time in the opposite direction, a path which led us back to the hotel.

Our hotel room in the gloaming

We arrived in our room and, you will not be surprised to hear, made tea. On that pleasant note, I will bid you adieu for now.