I got into Manchester just after midday, Thursday and met Diana who had been in the Village from the night before.I couldn't get my room until 2pm so we had a coffee at Taurus. It was strange sitting with Diana, me in male mode so to speak. Diana looked really good there seemed to be a glow about her. We have both had our challenges. Very different ones but we are both moving forward. The same could be said about Kate and Mrs Kate who we would see the next day. They also seemed to be glowing and bursting with energy. Another friend Emma would also be joining us and it's great to see what could have been a horrible situation for her has come right.
Diana came with me to the hotel when it came time to check in. After a misunderstanding about the room and being told I had to move after the first night. Thankfully it was sorted out the next morning and I didn't have to move. Diana came up with me to the room where she fell asleep while I got ready.
Once I was ready we went of into the Arndale for some shopping.
In Debanhams I saw a dress that just said buy me. The thing is it's red which stands out a bit and to be honest I kind of avoid clothes like that. I feel a bit self conscious, but it is nice to get dressed up now and again and we were going for a night out in Leeds the next day.
Afterwards we went back to the Village for a bite to eat and a couple of drinks. Upstairs in Via Diana took a photo of me that I really like.
To me it looks a bit like I've been dropped into the set of Alice in Wonderland. Actually the North of England is a wonderland to me.
I did once see The Village in Manchester described as The Magic Kingdom. It has it's problems but hopefully they can be sorted out and the idiots go somewhere else.
The night came to a close and it was time to get some sleep for the trip to Leeds.
Leeds First Friday
6 30 am I went to see the night manager to see if I had to move rooms. He was great and said to me to get my breakfast and come back and it would be sorted. I did and he was true to his word.
Kate and Mrs Kate would be arriving in the afternoon as would Emma who would be driving us to Leeds and using my room to get changed.
Diana and myself had the morning free so we went for a wander. It is so liberating to wander round the city centre, go shopping, have a coffee. Just normal stuff and get no hassle.
It came time where I had to get back to the hotel for Emma. Diana had a couple of things to do so we parted company. Emma eventually turned up after getting caught in horrendous traffic. I left her in peace to get ready.
I went off to Taurus to meet up with Kate and Mrs Kate, Diana was there as well. When I got to Taurus it really struck me how happy my friends looked. The only way I can put it is it was like a beautiful glow surrounded the 3 of them.
Emma turned up and that was 5 of us. We had something to eat and a chat. I think the Taurus staff could see there was a buzz about us. Emma was driving us through to Leeds which was really good of her. For an overnight stay our luggage filled the boot.
We got to Leeds and checked into a Travel Lodge just after 8pm. Diana and myself had been out all day so we had to redo our make up so we took longer to get ready. In the lift we spoke to a bloke who seemed to be at ease with us. We actually met him later, well her. She recognised us and she looked very different.
When we were ready we all met for a drink in the bar before heading out.
We were in Leeds for a T event called First Friday which has become very popular. The only time I have seen so many tgirls in one place is Sparkle. It's great to see things like this happening in cities as well as Manchester. The Gay community has it's Pride events up and down the country every year. Perhaps an event like Sparkle will appear in other cities as well as Manchester. I think Leeds would be a good place to bet on for that happening. We went to the Blavds pub where everyone was meeting.
A literal stones throw from where we were staying the place was packed. The one thing that struck me was everyone was really friendly. I spoke to a couple of the organisers Mandy and Cindy. I hope I've got that right.
I did feel a bit self conscious being out of my jeans, but I think I looked ok. One thing that was a bit of a disaster was my make up. With my oily skin and the heat it tends to ruin it plus I used a bit to much blusher.
The picture below shows me how I was.
I made it smaller so not to frighten anyone.
We moved on to the Viaduct Bar a place Diana and myself went to when we came through to Leeds last year for an afternoon. We thought we would show the 2 Kates and Emma where we had been.. After that we went across the road to Queens Court.
In the Courtyard we must have looked a bit lost. A nice lesbian door lady showed us to The Loft where everyone seemed to be going. Inside it was more upmarket that Naps in Manchester. There were a lot of lesbians some of who didn't seem to be to happy with the place filling up with tgirls. Two were mucking about and banged into me quite heavily, but they couldn't have been nicer and were full of apologies which wasn't needed. The toilet's were like a war zone with some fighting and seeing how many they could fit in a cubicle. Myself I had no problems everyone was really friendly.
I got to do a bit of dancing which I love and the music was definitely good. Going outside for a smoke the doorman cleared some people who were arguing. I was treated with the greatest of respect which is an amazing boost. I did see some sights I won't repeat here.
It was a fantastic night that I really enjoyed and hopefully I'll be back in Leeds again.
Saturday. Back Home to Manchester
Manchester in many ways feels like a second home. I've always loved the city way before I was getting out like I do now. I could go into my life story, but that would not be a good idea here. Throughout my life most of my best friends have been from or strongly connected with the city and that is continuing. It seems regardless of where I go or do. The city draws me back.
Anyway back to Leeds for the moment. After the night's events that finished about 3am. I had a few hours sleep and then spent about 40 minutes doing my make up after a nice relaxing bath. Life just felt so good.
I went down to the reception and was surprised to see Emma having a coffee. She really had gone for it having quite a bit to drink. She kindly got me a coffee and we had a nice chat. The 2 Kates and Diana appeared not long afterwards and we decided to get breakfast in the Travel Lodge which I really enjoyed.
We reviewed the night which I think everyone enjoyed. The weather wasn't to good so we all agreed that rather than going for a look round Leeds we would go back to Manchester.
Back in Manchester we decided to split up and go shopping It's never a good idea for a big group of us to go around the city centre. 3 together is probably the limit to save attracting unwanted attention.
Diana, Emma and myself went to Debenhams but we ended up going our separate ways.
Later that evening we all met up in Velvet for a meal. Then we went to Spirit for a couple of drinks.
There seemed to be a strange atmosphere in the Village. The police seemed to be out in force. Outside Spirit a WPC Horserider gave me a really beautiful smile as she passed.
The night came to a close after some dancing in Naps.
Sunday
Sunday morning I had arranged to meet Diana for breakfast at the Rem but unfortunately that wasn't to be, but we did get a coffee and something to eat at a great little place by Sackville Gardens. It was a beautiful day if not a little chilly. We decided to go for a drive and we ended up at Sport City where Di took a couple of pictures of me.
The picture above is outside The City of Manchester Stadium. My late wife must have been smiling. She loved football and it really was a beautiful day.
We drove back to the Village and met up with the 2 Kates in Taurus where we all indulged in some chocolate cake. Emma had departed earlier. Kate and Mrs Kate then had to set off for home so after some hugs that left Di and myself.
I took Di to a jewellers where I bought a watch last time out. She bought a lovely pair of ear rings. Later on we went for something to eat in Eden and then after a couple of drinks Di had to get home. Another wonderful 4 days had come to an end.
In Conclusion
It was a fantastic time out. I've been out in a few places in the North of England. The Judie Tzuke song Wonderland kept running through my head. Sometimes when I'm out it feels like I am in a wonderland, I wore a dress for the first time outside the Village instead of jeans and a top. I only got one horrible comment walking along Portland St to my hotel. Actually I've had worse in the Village. There were a couple of things that put a slight damper on this time out, but really I had a wonderful time. .
Hopefully I'll be back in Wonderland before long.
Karen xx
