Two Cities, Lots of Snow and Four Wonderful Days,

I'm back home recovering from an amazing week where I spent more than half of it as Karen. I managed a couple of firsts for me, which would have scared the hell out of me a year ago. One thing that came out was I felt so comfortable with myself dressed up more than I ever have before I didn't want it to end. It just felt so right if that makes sense. I guess reality has set in now and I'm back to being bob for awhile. I can't complain I'm really enjoying my life. There are people suffering real bad, some I know and my heart goes out to them.
Any way if you have a few minutes let me take you back to my latest adventures.

Monday 2nd February

I set off for Manchester amid some of the worst snow, apparently the country has seen for years. Luckily for me the worst was in the South of England. I got to Manchester ok and into my room at the Rem. Now this time I didn't take much with me clothes wise because I intended to go shopping and needed to leave room in the bag. Saying that I still had a fair bit.
I had arranged to go shopping with Kate and Mrs Kate the next day, but more about that later. I didn't think anyone would be out in the Village on a Monday night especially with such horrendous weather.
Diana said she would come out. I was really happy. The last couple of times I'd been down I hadn't got to spend much time her. Diana is a really good friend and it is always a pleasure to be in her company. I didn't realise she was having a few problems and it took a lot for her to come out. I hope they clear up soon.
We did have a problem meeting up due to a mobile phone problem which Diana has recounted in her blog, I was at fault for not going out to look for her for which I'm really sorry.
We did eventually meet up outside the Rem pub. I must admit she looked fantastic in the horrible weather. We went to the Genghis Khan restaurant where they told us we had enough time for a couple of bowls. We looked at each other and said 'ok', unsure what they meant.
We had to put whatever meat or seafood in a bowl along with other selections of veg and sauces or other spices and hand it to the chef who stir fried it on a big hot plate. We made up a bowl each. I went for pork and a mixture,left it for the chef and we sat down. The waitress came back with the food and chopsticks. I hadn't used those in years. The memory came back and I think I did ok. My next bowl was a chilli beef. I think I over did it with the chilli. I enjoyed it and would like to go back again sometime.
We moved on to Via for a few drinks and a gossip. It was karaoke night so we went for a wander upstairs among the strange tables and chairs. Diana took a few pictures one of which she sent to her blog.
We had a lovely evening, catching up and it was a wonderful start to a magical 3 days in Manchester.

Tuesday 3rd February

Kate and Mrs Kate had planned a trip to the Trafford Centre. Now I had said before that I wanted to go on a train in K mode. We arranged a place where Kate would pick me up in her car.
I set of about 9 30am to Manchester Piccadilly Station. I was dressed in some feminine jeans brown top black cardigan my green coat and black flat heeled suede boots. I tried to go as easy on the make up as possible. My attempt at trying not to stand out.
In Piccadilly I had to wait about half an hour for my train. I got my ticket from the machine and had a wander round the station which was reasonably busy. I had no problems except nearly getting run over in the stampede by the passengers of another train.
I really felt like just another woman going about her business. It was quite a feeling. On the platform a gentleman motioned for me to board the train before him. I couldn't believe I was doing this with no comments I heard or anybody laughing. I had prepared myself for such, but nothing except maybe a couple of looks. I think as long as you dress not to stand out most people are to busy to notice or care about other people. The journey only took about 20 minutes. I got off the train with a few other people and met Kate outside. I was buzzing. It's amazing how such a mundane thing like travelling on a train can have such an effect.
We raced off in Kate's car to the Trafford Centre. Mrs Kate met up with us while we were having a coffee.
The 2 Kates had been out shopping in the Trafford Centre before. Now Kate I would say passes no problem she looked great, very smart and classy similar to her wife.
We went shopping where I bought among other things a green dress that I absolutely love and had to wear that night. All shopped out we headed back to Manchester where Kate dropped me off at the Rem.
We met up again for a meal in Velvet, a few drinks and a chat. We had a lovely evening. It was great to chat without music blaring in the background for a change.
The night came to a close all to soon.

Wednesday 4th February

The 2 Kates had arranged to meet me in the Village for about 11am. We were going to the Manchester Art Gallery and then I would show them round the city centre. Neither had been round the centre for about 15 years even though they live relatively local. I was up and ready early, so I decided to go for a walk outside the Village. No problems again. I did get wolf whistled as I passed a construction site. They were probably taking the mickey, but I didn't care.
I met up with the 2 Kates and we went off to the gallery. I love art galleries, but this was a first in K mode.We decided to have a coffee before we had a look round and I told of a vivid dream I had of visiting a gallery in K mode a few months ago. The gallery was fascinating i think I will be back for another visit. It was literally a dream come true. It was now time to leave and go shopping, so we headed towards the Arndale.
We went round the Arndale and I took them to a shop across the road which is inexpensive, but has some nice clothes. I think we all bought something there. Mrs Kate seemed to be getting right into being out shopping with us. She gave me some good advice. We had a bite to eat in M&S and chatted some more.
It had been a fantastic 2 days out with the 2 Kates. 2 good friends who are a joy to be with.
It came to that time to get back and get ready for the evening.

Wednesday Evening February 4th

6 of us had arranged to meet up in Tribeco and then on for a meal in Eden where I had booked a table earlier. On the way I passed a bloke who seemed to bleeding from his eye. I stopped and asked if he was ok. He told me a group of lads had given him a kicking and he had made his way here where he would be reasonably safe. He said they demanded money and because he didn't have any they set about him. He thanked me for my concern and said he'd be ok. He asked me very politely if I could give him a cigarette. I did and some money to get a coffee and something to eat.
I went into Tribeco and met another good friend, Lisa. Emma, Becky, and the 2 Kates turned up not long afterwards.
Emma I had met before at the Angels Christmas meal and Becky a quite stunning tall lass who I hadn't met before. The 2 Kates turned up as well with Kate wearing purple leggings and a top she had bought earlier in the day. she looked really good as did Mrs Kate.
After the meal we went to the Manchester Concord where I had to pay my membership for the year.
It was on then to Naps where even I was up dancing. I think Kate's feet were starting to rebel after all the walking we had done over the past 2 days.
Lisa and Becky had to leave early, about midnight which left the 4 of us. We ended up downstairs where it was quieter. I think about 2 am we decided to part company.
It was the end of a wonderful 3 days in Manchester for me, but the week wasn't over yet.

Thursday 5th February

Heading home on the train. I thought about how lucky I've been, having made some great friends in the past year and how much they have helped me. Lisa and Kate when I first came down to Manchester. Diana when we went shopping for the first time and Kate and Mrs Kate helping me get on that train. Those are just a few things I could not have done without their help.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
On the train back I put a short post up about what I'd been up to on the Angels Forum. It was the first time I'd done that in awhile.

Saturday 7th February

Newcastle is a city I hadn't been to in years and that's where I was heading next for a night out. This would be another step into the unknown for me in K mode.
Bea Groves who posts quite a lot on the Angels Forum and has become recently a TG activist in the North East, had invited me down. I finally met her briefly along with her partner Karen at the Angels Christmas meal last year.
Due to problems getting a hotel Bea invited me to stay at her house.
Bea picked me up at the station just after 4pm. She said Karen would be round at about 6 30 to run us into the city. I must admit it was probably the quickest I've ever got ready. I just kept it simple a blue top and jeans. I think I looked reasonably smart.Bea looked good in a purple skirt and blouse. I think that colour really suits her.
Karen came round and we set off. It was absolutely freezing and icy, but at least it had stopped snowing. We were going first to a bar called Twist in the Pink Triangle.
Now Bea had warned me that although it was known as a gay area you got the whole LGBT, Straight and everything in between. Just about the whole spectrum of human life.
Twist is situated by the Life Center which seemed to be apt. We were first there and Gemma, Evie and Den soon turned up.
Gemma a TS lass I've found since is a talented artist. Evie from Essex I've read her posts on Angels told me about her trip to Vegas with the Boudoir girls. Den from what I understood is female to male TS.
We left Twist to go to Puccinis the restaurant where we would eat.
Puccinis is an ordinary Italian restaurant well outside the pink triangle. Bea told me the walk which took us past the train station had become like a rite of passage for some tgirls. I could see how it could be a scary prospect with the amount of people. Groups of blokes and women a lot of them on a binge. Apparently it was worse nearer the city centre where they really go for it.
We had no problems at all. It was actually a great experience. The men ignored us or just didn't notice because we didn't really stand out. I think most of them were to busy looking at the genetic women who some of them must have been freezing because they were wearing that little. There were a few women who wanted to talk to us. Some of them for some reason wanted to hug me.
One genetic girl asked me,' are you a woman?'
I replied, 'What do you think'.
She paused for a moment and then asked me,' Have you had a sex change?'
I've never been asked that before. When I said no she seemed genuinely surprised. She didn't seem to be taking the micky.
At Puccinis I enjoyed the meal and getting to know everyone better. The couple of times I went outside for a smoke on my own,loads of people passed me including gangs of lads. I got the occasional glance, but nothing else.
After the meal we walked back to a pub called The Yard in the triangle. The walk back was busier but we had no problems.
The Yard to my eyes was busy. There were a few tgirls there. Gemma introduced me so it was lots of hugs all round. Apparently it was a quiet night. Outside for a smoke I was getting more hugs from genetic girls. The Yard itself seemed to be full of all human life itself.
I had a great time apparently the nightclub the Powerhouse is open to 6am. I think that would have been pushing it. Gemma told me it's really good in the summer.
The night came to an end all to soon.
Back at Bea's the pair of us had a chat about various subjects TG related. I wish her all the best in her endevours and thanks for putting me up and Karen, Gemma,Evie and Den for a wonderful night. I'll definitely be back sometime in the near future.

In Conclusion

4 wonderful days, good friends and some fantastic people. A couple of firsts, a real confidence boost. Loads of shopping. What more could a girl ask for.
A year ago I could not imagine doing all of this. It's been nearly a year since I joined the Angels Forum which has been the catalyst. I must say it saddens me to see some of the stuff that has been posted on there lately.
I don't know how far I'm going to go or what the future holds. I know I'm somewhere on the TG spectrum. I feel I've gone beyond being a transvestite or crossdresser. There are plenty people who would disagree, but thats their opinion. I have a need to get outside presenting as female and try to do things that give me more freedom. Shopping and going on the train are 2 examples. I have a lot more to do and places to go yet.
Genetically I'm male and always will be and I also enjoy that side of my life. Actually I feel there are 2 aspects that have become integrated.
I know one thing my confidence has improved so much.
Love
Karen xx