Manchester's Science & Industry Museum - 29 Oct' 25
Overture and Beginners please
We couldn't set out without a caffeine shot, and so we all repaired to Cafe Nero at the bottom of Piccadilly Rail Station approach, where we were joined by some fellow travellers with a similar addiction.
Being located on the corner of such a busy area the views of a city travelling to work are always interesting. We were surrounded by both Victorian robust, brick and stone architecture, and the newer, looming post-modern, glass and metal structures so prevalent in this rapidly expanding city over the past thirty years.
Yuka told me that she was booking her ticket home to Kyoto following a busy year at Manchester's world famous university and hoping to be joining her family in time for Christmas.
Mildred was passing the time reading the paper, waiting for the first train to London offering less-expensive tickets on offer after ten o'clock. Whilst Abdul, having just arrived from Leeds, was trying to obtain a taxi to take him home a couple of miles away, having been 'let down by Uber yet again.'
Being suitably charged with caffeine and a few breakfast buns, it was time to leave and catch the Busy-Bee-Line bus across the city to our first goal of the day.
And what did we find upon our arrival - work-in-progress - but to our relief the Manchester Science and Industry Museum was well and truly open, following a five year programme of extensive rebuilding and the introduction of numerous suitably sourced exhibits; having expended already over £15million with yet a further £5million to go.
Yes, it was well and truly open! And teaming with hoards of children on half-term holiday from school; brought along by their parents and carers for some respite diversion to help them maintain their sanity and allay their corporal thoughts.
But to sing our praises for the museum staff, it was all well organised and appeared to be adhering to a well rehearsed plan. With the spacious exhibition halls, there was room for all.
Here are a few pics to titillate your appetite for a return visit when, hopefully, the buildings now being finished-off will house even more of Manchester's wonderful industrial and scientific heritage. Here's a link to their excellent website:
Well worth the visit, 'cos its all free - although a donation can be made at many pay-points dotted around. We all did, of course.
It was time to go for lunch and to reach for our second goal of the day ........... A 'Chinese' in Manchester's famous China Town.
The lucky restaurant to be blessed with our presence was the Happy Seasons on George Street. Following a very enjoyable stuffin' we set out for the journey back home by returning to Piccadilly Rail Station to catch the train to Shropshire's metropolis - Whitchurch - the home of the Whitty Wanderers! But first a few more pics:
Extremely repleat and homeward bound .................
