Another busy week…..in May

The lovely Karen Cameron came down to Manchester from north of the wall for a couple of days, and we had a great time over a couple of evenings. On the Wednesday night we met up with Kate, and had dinner in Velvet, and then went on to the Concord, and then to Naps for a look. On the next evening, there was just Karen and myself , and we had a drink or three, and some fine food in Taurus. Earlier I’d arrived in town before 5, and parked up near Sackville Street, and had a walk in to town for some late night shopping. After my experiences at Christmas, I was really keen for another stroll up to King Street. I’d settled on wearing jeans, short black leather jacket, and wedge sandals, and as it was sunny, a big pair of sunglasses to hide behind! On King Street I made a bee line for Hobbs, which is always my favourite place to shop. They have a big changing area downstairs with big mirrors outside, and the staff are always friendly and helpful. Well an hour later, after trying on a heap of gorgeous clothes, I emerged with just 1 dress, it was time to get back to Canal Street.

Now I don’t know the city that well, but it was only when I found myself crossing Deansgate that I realised I’d been walking in the opposite direction for 5 minutes. AND, my sandals were now starting to rub. I wouldn’t mind if they were new, but I’d had them for 18 months! So back on King Street, and I pass by 2 guys who have just turned the corner into the Street. I heard one say to the other ‘tranny’, and I should have thought who else they were referring to , but I guess it was me. Anyway, the way I look at it, if it took 1 to point me out to his friend, then at least I fooled one of them!

I got to Canal Street early, and took my drink outside in the sunshine. Well anywhere would have done to rest my feet. Karen met up with me and we sat outside AXM in the sunshine and had a pleasant drink. We had a meal in Taurus, and again had great service in there; we were seated at one of the top tables near the window, so Karen could have a good look at the activities in Canal Street. After the meal with Karen we went back to the Atrium where she was staying, so I could have a look around, and to take some pictures of our guest.

On the Saturday, we had Teela’s meal back at Velvet, for about 10 of us. I got a lift across to Manchester from Diana, who was making her first visit out in public that night, after a couple of visits to Teela’s monthly tea evenings. The drive to Manchester was uneventful except for Diana just being a tiny bit nervous about driving in to town, anyway we eventually found a parking space on one of the roads off Canal Street. You couldn’t have parked any nearer. Anyway Di was finally able to reverse in to the space alongside the kerb, after a few attempts, and I was able to walk to the kerb from there. It didn’t take me too long. So, picture the scene: we turn on to a packed Canal Street at 7pm and walk into a fight scene with local police, who are trying to break up a fight. There’s guys pinned against the police van, against the wall, and then we have to walk through this no man’s land of the space between the fighting and where the crowd is standing, alongside the canal. Well Di passed this test and moments later we met up with the rest of the group at the entrance to Velvet’s.

The company was the best thing about the meal, as for some reason most of us didn’t enjoy the food. The portions in Velvet are usually big, but my tuna was too dry. The compensation was the good chat we had in there, and they were in no hurry to get us away from the table. There was some debate as to what happened to Sue Williams’ steak; the consensus was that it might have slipped down her dress.

Afterwards we hit a few of the bars in Canal Street, Cruise, View, Fossa and AXM. In View we had an interesting chat with 2 young blondes from Cumbria, who at first couldn’t quite work out what we were about. But after explaining all-things T to them, we got on great afterwards and had photos taken together. In AXM, down by the mirrors near the ladies loo’s, I just couldn’t get away! Spoke to at least 3 different groups, including 2 lovely teenage girls from Preston, who wanted to know if my boobs were mine or if I’d had implants. It was great talking to them, and then to their mums later on!