July {Sparkle), 2019

I decided to go to Sparkle which was my 5th. I stayed in a hotel of Sackville St.

The weather was great and I took a trip out to Salford Quays and spent most of the day out at Media City. I met up with a lady I had been in contact with online. Had a lovely day.

On the Friday The Village was gearing up for the festivities.

On the Saturday I was meeting up with a girl from Scotland, Karen, who was coming to Sparkle for the first time. She wasn't arriving to later in the day. So I wandered around Sackville Gardens looking at the stalls and listening to the music as well as the various speeches.

Earlier I had been shopping and got some pink jeans and a lacy top.

I met up with Karen and a few other girls from Scotland she knew. We had a evening meal at my hotel and then met up with my friends Kate, Mrs Kate, Diana and Ash a French themed event below Via. It was then on to the Retro Bar rock night. I actually wore my witchy dress which I love.

I think Karen enjoyed herself.

On Sunday I took Karen out shopping in Manchester city centre. She was pleased to go shoe shopping. Which I think was a first for her. 

Karen had to leave and get home. I think she'd had a great time and wished she'd had more time. I enjoyed showing her round.

After Karen left I went back to the Gardens got some food and enjoyed what was left of Sparkle.

I'd had a fantastic time but unfortunately it was time to pack and get some sleep. Another wonderful and beautiful time for me was coming to an end.

I liked the t-shirts from Sparkle which have the slogan ' Trans is not a choice, transphobia is'.

For me that rings so true.

  

  

Been a long time away

It's May 2019 and I am still here.
I have been still doing the same stuff, getting out when I can. The Gay Village has and is under going changes.
My friend Kristina has taken me out to some new places, for me, in Northern England. It's been great fun, by the same token I see less of a couple of friends when I am out.
My last trip out in April a few weeks ago was wonderful.
I went to Bury Pride which was lovely if not a bit windy. Bury is great town which I will visit again.

Above are a  few pic's  and one of me looking as bad as ever lol.

The next day I went to the Women's F.A. Cup semi final between Chelsea and Manchester City. This was a first and I was a bit nervous.  The match was at the Academy Stadium near the Etihad Stadium where Manchester City men play.
I really enjoyed the match. The attendance  was a bit under 2000, but it was a great atmosphere. Chelsea hit the bar and the post, but the match was decided by an own goal by Chelsea. I have been to many football matches. but this was my first women's. The one thing that became quickly apparent was these ladies don't mess about. There was no diving or moaning about decisions. No play acting. The match was a joy to watch. Man City ended up later winning the cup at Wembley by beating West Ham women 3-0 in front of a 50 000 crowd.

Not forgetting a picture of me outside,-

The next day was a trip up the canal to Salford Quays with Kristina on a small ferry. It was so good to relax with a glass of champagne watching everything go by.

When we got to the Quays we had a lovely lunch and some wine, not forgetting a trip around the stores.

We went past Gnome Island lol

Kristina enjoying a glass.

Later we went for a lovely meal in Manchester.

I had a fantastic time  but it came to an end, but there is always next time to look forward to. 

Love and Light xxx

Short Break

Tuesday

I decided to visit Manchester for a short 3 day break. My last time out had been 2 months previous taking in Manchester Pride, which was probably the best time I've ever had out. Back in Manchester I felt like I was home again.
Canal Street is very quiet on a Tuesday in my opinion. Once I got my room at the New Union I went shopping for some essentials. I also bought a new winter coat.

Wednesday

I got up after a good sleep and went to the Retro Bar for breakfast. After breakfast I went to Sackville Gardens to visit The Tree of Life. This is something I always do when in Manchester. I guess a lot of people would laugh at me, but I feel a real connection to the tree, and I will always post a photo of it after each visit I make.

Afterwards I went back to the hotel to get my coat and then meet Kristina who was driving in.

                                             Wearing my new coat which is very warm

Kristina picked me up in The Village and we drove out to Salford Quays. I had never been out there. Media City is where quite a few television companies are based.
We saw a short film about the artist Lowry and to be honest I find his paintings a bit depressing, but in saying that he does capture part of a darker essence of Northern England.

                                                                           Salford Quays

We left Salford and went back to Manchester. A short visit to the Science and Industry museum to see the LGBT exhibit which I meant to see at Pride. We went through the mock up sewer tunnel where I had to get a photo.

Outside we came across the 'Field of Jeans' exhibit which I thought was great.

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That evening we met up with Diana, Kate and Kitty in Velvet for a meal and then Naps.
I was great to see them. Diana was just out for the evening which was a shame as I didn't get to speak to her much. Kate and Kitty would come back through to Manchester on Thursday  afternoon.

Thursday.

The day started with breakfast at the Retro. Time seemed to be passing so quick I not meeting . Kate and Kitty till the afternoon so I went to the Northern Quarter for a wander.

I bought a couple of things including a birthday card for Kitty which was a bit different. Sadly I always miss her birthday. I also saw my friend Terry at his Crystalhenge stall in Afflecks Market. We had a nice chat and I bought some of his slate art which depicted 'The Wheel of the Year.
Back in the Village I got a couple more silly photos before I met with Kate and Kitty.

I had a lovely day with Kate and Kitty shopping in the Arndale. Unfortunately it came to an all to quick end.
That evening out on my own I ended up in another debate with a bunch of guys in the outside smoking area upstairs in the Molly House bar. We discussed a few things. One was about the disgusting life of a BBC celebrity who with death escaped punishment for his crimes. We agreed that the country and establishment that hid this sick bastard's crimes against the most vulnerable members of society has to change and get it's act together.
It was an interesting evening and I was told that it didn't matter that I was transgender. That I was a human being presenting an aspect of myself that is me and no one should have a problem with that and if they do it says more about their insecurities. They were a nice bunch, some I had met before. Talking with them I didn't  realise how much time had passed. It came time to get some sleep another fantastic time was over.
I leave with a picture of my nails.

I did get told off about them by a lovely lady and her friend from Israel who told me I was probably damaging my nails by using false nails. If I could keep them in a more natural state and just use polish. Oh well I guess that is another small dream never to be known.

LOVE and LIGHT

Karen xxx

Manchester Pride 2012 (3)

August 18th Saturday

Another breakfast in the Retro I then took some more pictures round the Village.
I went to Sackville Gardens where the Quakers were showing their support for Pride.
From what I understand the Quakers sit silently and contemplate and if someone wants to say something they can. As a religion I have a lot of respect for them. They let their actions speak for them and don't push their ideals on to others by preaching and telling others what to do.
While sitting quietly on a bench a man came over and asked if he could sit next to me. At first I though t another admirer trying to pick me up, but we had a nice chat. He told me his nae was Stuart. He did ask me about myself and we spoke for awhile. I know he was chatting me up, but I politely said I wasn't interested   in sex. He took that with good grace and we continued chatting. It was great not to be treated as some sort of brain dead piece of meat only  useful for one thing.
I wished him well after  chatting for 20 minutes.   I also spoke to a lady from the LGF (Lesbian Gay Foundation) about shoes of all things.

 

                                                  Pride banners overlooking the canal

                                                           Poster I saw in Taurus


I met up with Di in the afternoon and later Kate, Kitty and Ashley.
In Taurus I bumped into one of the Irish women who was collecting for something to do with the Salford City Reds rugby league team who were on a pub crawl in The Village. She said to me while laughing not to donate because they were getting drunk and becoming a bit rude.
I wore my new dress and was very happy with it.
We ended up in Naps where I really enjoyed myself dancing. Back at the hotel Di took a couple of pictures for me.

August 19th Sunday

The Retro was shut so Di and myself  had something to eat in the Olive Deli. The manager asked me how I was and told me he had been in Naps but could remember much.
We then went to Sackville Gardens to see Pink Doggy Pride  which was unfortunately plagued with heavy rain. We decided to go into town and go shopping. The rain would continue throughout Pride which was unfortunate. At this time there were a lot of fringe events going on. Pride itself wouldn't start until Friday.
In the evening we had a nce meal in Eden. Afterwards we ended up in ICON where Misty Chance a very talented performer and drag queen was doing a show. She was really funny.

 
                                                         Misty Chance in ICON

August 20th Monday

Diana had to go to work but would be back in the evening so I was on my own again. I went for a wander.

The preparations for Pride were underway. The main stage would be built in the carpark across from The Thomson Arms.

I did some shopping and then ended up in Salford which I didn't know at the time.

I also had a look at Manchester Cathedral

 

A sign outside Afflecks Market

 

In the evening Di got back from work and we went for a meal in VIA.

 

After drinks also in The New Union ICON and Churchills, by midnight The Village was empty.