8 Days Pt 1 (A Genius, Anti - Cult Activists plus Bangers and Mash)

If you read the last post you know I've been on my travels again, This time I was out for 8 days in Manchester the longest so far. It's over now and I can feel the black clouds gathering. There are somethings that hit very hard, but enough of that, writing it down helps to ease the pain so to speak, of being back as bob.

Wednesday

I got into Manchester with a couple of hours to spare before I could check into the hotel. I went to Taurus in The Village a bar and restaurant which has changing facilities. The lounge where  you can change was busy with a theatre group rehearsing. The barman asked if it would be ok if I changed behind the curtain where the mirror is. That was no problem. While I was doing  my make  up I could  hear the rehearsals. The was a comedy and I was trying not to laugh. Once I was ready it was getting near time for me to check in. I felt really happy and trundled off to the hotel and checked in. I had saved a couple of hours which allowed me to go into the city centre straight away to get some essentials.

That evening I met up with my friends Diana, Kate and Mrs Kate. I looked a bit different with the wig I wore and was in a skirt and blouse which makes a change for me. A visit to Manchester Concord and some dancing in Naps, then we parted company.


Thursday- Birmingham (Bangers and Mash and New Hair)

Kate had booked 3 train tickets for Mrs Kate, herself and me for a day out in Birmingham. I had been once before with Kate. I really like Birmingham it was a joy shopping there the first time and this was even better. We went for a wander after we got of the train and ended up at a sausage mash restaurant, well it was sort of upmarket sausage and mash. I enjoyed mine as I think the 2 Kates did as well. While we were eating Kate spotted 2 tgirls outside at the ATM  I never seem to spot other tgirls when I am out. Anyway the sausage and mash was great something I hadn't had for years. I would have some more before the week was out.

Fed and watered it was time to go shopping. I wanted to go to Selfridges as I knew there was a  Hot Hair wig concession who sell Natural Image wigs. I knew which style I wanted, it was the colours I needed to see. Unfortunately they did not have the style I wanted, but offered to ring House of Fraser to check if they did. I thanked them for their help, but said I would take a walk up there anyway. Meanwhile Mrs Kate was getting into the spirit of things and bought a half wig that goes with  her own hair, but changes the style dramatically. 

In House of Fraser the assistants could not have been better. They had the wig I wanted and and let me see every colour. I said I didn't need to try any on. They seemed surprised, but I really did not want to take my own off as I had it just right. I saw the colour I wanted and along with a bottle of hairspray and a better brush and lots of advice on its care we left to continue on.shopping. I did get some Bobby Brown eyeliner which is excellent.
When wr got back to the Village we went for a meal in Taurus and then called it a night.

Friday - World Cup Fever

I love the morning its my favourite part of the day and when its sunny I couldn't ask for more. I went for breakfast at The Rembrandt. I had a full fry up which I really enjoyed. The 2 Kates were going to pick me up later  for a trip out to The Trafford Centre. I decided to take a walk to see a bit more of Manchester. Down by St Peters I cane across the statue pictured below.

I particularly like the words on the plaque.( Click on photo for larger image).
I then had a walk through the Peace Gardens and  headed back to meet up with the 2 Kates.

They picked me up by my hotel. On the way out to the Trafford Centre some idiots in a car next to us at the traffic lights started shouting abuse and decided to pace us so they could shout more. Always makes me wonder what morons like that get out of abusing people they don't know and have done nothing to them.
We did have a good day shopping and a really nice Chinese meal. Afterwards they took me back to their home for a coffee,
The World Cup had just started and England were playing USA the next day. Kate asked me what I thought the score would be. I thought the best result would be a draw. My reasoning was if England win some use it as an excuse to act as idiots. If England lose some use that as an excuse to act as violent idiots. A draw and they are not sure what to do. Well done USA for the draw.
I'd had another wonderful day and it was a real honour to be invited back to their home. Kate ran me back to the Village which was very busy. I said I would book a table for a meal on Saturday evening, Emma and Mrs Emma would be joining us. It was getting late and most of the restaurants were shut. I decided to call it a night and went back to the hotel.

Saturday - A Genius and The Activists

After another breakfast in the Rembrandt I decided to go to the Science Museum. They had an exhibition on about Leonardo Da Vinci. There were no original works, but there were working models of some machines made from his plans. Most of his writings and plans have been lost from what I understand.
The Last Supper apparently was painted on an experimental medium wet plaster seal with resin. Unfortunately the experiment failed and the painting deteriorated.. We see a reconstruction of what it must  have looked like.
Da Vinci believed  we should observe and investigate. There is so much in this world or even better universe to learn, but we seem to tend towards our base instincts. I wonder what he would have come up with if he was alive today. An amazing man. The exhibition has been extended so if you are in Manchester its well worth a visit .Da Vinci's 8 mirrored cubicle was one fun thing you could interact with. You can see yourself from every angle to infinity when you stand in it.

The mural outside the museum

Me at the railway yard outside the museum.

Walking up the road from the museum I heard and then saw a group of people protesting about something. They were anti cult activists. It seems a well known rock star's  daughter has joined a cult that has attracted some Hollywood stars. As I passed they said not to join them. I replied that I didn't think they would have me.

'If you have money they will', one assured me.

I stopped for a chat took a leaflet and continued on. I like talking to people and have met some interesting people.Most people seem to get past  that I am TG very quickly. There is a certain look in their eyes that does disappear. That's the only way I put it. I guess most people don't talk to many people like me and I think it is a slight shock, but saying that most people are really good.
Back in the Village I booked a table  in Villagios for 8pm. Along with the 2 Kates Emma and Mts Emma would bs joining us. I  also decided I would stay an extra 3 nights so I booked into the New Union from the Monday.
With time to spare I went of for another wander round the shops before going back to get changed for the evening. I did buy a lottery ticket and won £10 that evening.  I also got some nail varnish and painted my nails for the first time.
The football was on so Villagios wasn't to busy. It was nice to see the 2 Emmas again. Later we went to Spirit and then ended up in Naps for some dancing.
The  night came to an end I said goodbye to everyone as they wouldn't be out again while I was down.
Special thanks to Kate and Mrs Kate for looking after me.
I was having a wonderful time and it wasn't over, but I would nearly blow it, but thats for the next part I'll leave for now with a picture. It's times like those I feel true happiness.