Potter

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Manchester, England

Today Amanda and I ran away for a quick visit to Manchester.  There was not much on the agenda.  We stopped in Gee Cross and visited Claire Martinez, mostly unannounced while she was cooking.

Claire Martinez and Paul Ross

We visited the Arndale Shopping Center, Manchester Cathedral, Manchester Town Hall, Old Trafford (Manchester United football grounds), Market Street, and the Trafford Centre (glorified shopping mall).  Amanda was able to pick up her British copy of the first Harry Potter book.

Manchester City Hall and Albert Monument
Inside Manchester Cathedral
Old Trafford, home of Manchester United
Trafford Park Mall
Staircase in Trafford Park
Amanda Ross at Waterstones in Trafford Park

This evening, the Gore’s organized a bit of a get together for some of the members of the Eccles (now Swinton) Ward.  It was very, very kind of them to do this for us.  There were several families who came and it was wonderful to catch up with them.  Leslie Walsh, Bob and Joan Wood, Alan and Margaret Griffin, Vincenzo and Dawn Santi, Alex and Gloria Brown with their son Nathan, and the Gores.  They all had such wonderful things to say to us, about me, and it was great to catch up with them.

Margaret Griffin, Paul and Amanda Ross, Alan Griffin
Dawn Santi, Paul and Amanda Ross, and Vincenzo Santi
Joan Wood, Paul and Amanda Ross, Rob Wood
Amanda Ross, Leslie Walsh, Paul Ross

Kevin and Jean Gore treated us to a pub dinner this evening.  It was really good food.  They also treated us to a roast duck dinner last night.  Each family has treated us very well, and provided great meals.  We certainly appreciate their generosity.

Tomorrow we head to Birmingham, the day after to Milton Abbas.  Don’t know when I will be able to get back on.

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St Pancras to Lille

I was reading a newspaper article this week and it referenced St Pancras Station in London.  It made me think about the last time I was there in 2008.  Here is an impromptu picture Amanda took on that occasion.  Here you can see a shot of the famed Barlow trainshed.

St Pancras Station's Barlow Trainshed.

St Pancras Station’s Barlow Trainshed.

I believe I had just enjoyed a steak and potato pasty and we were were on our way to find one of the draws of St Pancras besides just catching a train.  Amanda just had to find this location before we boarded our next train.

Amanda pushing her cart onto platform 9 3/4 from Harry Potter fame

Amanda pushing her cart onto platform 9 3/4 from Harry Potter fame

This was just an extra.  We were really there to hop on the Eurostar to go to the Continent.  We caught the train and I slept all the way to Lille, France due to a little jet lag.

This picture we snapped on the walk between Gare de Lille-Europe to Gare de Lille-Flandres on Av. le Corbusier.  I looked it up on Google Maps and boy, the route has changed since this photo was taken.  As you can tell, it was a dismal day we were there with plenty of green.  Not so much anymore, much more urban now!

Av. le Corbusier looking at Gare de Lille-Flandres.

Av. le Corbusier looking at Gare de Lille-Flandres.

We did not take any pictures in Gare de Lille-Flandres, I remember it being quite impressive.  Look it up online.  Or, I guess we will have to go back.

We did take one more picture at Gare de Lille-Flandres.  You can see it here and our funny take of it at the time.