Diary 22nd To 25th December 2018

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Diary Saturday 22nd December 2018 My last post ended as I was about to set off to Manchester for the weekend. This is the adventures that followed. The coach was fully booked and there were literally no seats left. I am glad I booked early. The journey went smoothly and on time. I got to Manchester about two fifteen pm. Though the forecast had been for cloudy and mild, it was pouring with rain so I got far fewer pub sign photos than I planned. Not wanting to arrive at the house party too early I decided to call in a pub for an hour first. The first bar I went in was quiet, possibly as the staff seemed totally uninterested in serving customers. I walked out. The next two bars I tried were so full that the staff were not letting any more customers in. The fourth bar I tried, The Waldorf, was busy but at least I got in and served OK. It was very loud as many customers watched a live TV football match. I bought some beers for the party in a very crowded shop, (it being the last weekend before Christmas this was not unexpected) and headed to the party. The bus hit heavy traffic and I arrived about half an hour later than planned. There was lots to eat and drink and many of my dear Manchester friends were there too. I stayed up way into the early hour of the morning. The delightful hots kindly provided me with a folding bed for the night. Diary Sunday 23rd December 2018 A relaxed morning and the other guests staying over got up and our hosts provided breakfast. I got a lift from another guest to my Mum’s for my last chance to visit her this year. She gave me lots of presents to bring home with me which was very heavy to carry. I traveled back to the city centre on the very congested tram service. My coach home was delayed by an hour so I called in a mercifully quiet bar for a drink before catching it. The coach was not so busy this time but I was sat near someone who yelled into his phone throughout the journey and the driver left the inside lights out so I couldn’t read my book. I got home about 7pm, very tired. Diary Monday 24th December 2018 Christmas Eve A quiet day, with just a little last minute shopping to do, before spending most of the day just watching TV. Diary Tuesday 25th December 2018 – Christmas Day I opened my lovely presents, mostly clothes bought by my Mum, and just chilled out for the day. I had a Christmas pudding for lunch but my main meal was just Spaghetti Bolognaise. I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas. My thanks to my party and transport friends and my mum. Arthur Chappell