Cufflinks at Dawn

Manchester is not a popular early morning destination.

Unlike the queue for security the 06:30 flight to Manchester was more or less deserted. The eleven of us were warned not to move around in case the trim of the plane was altered. A warning which we all took seriously and which confined us to our seats.

With so few people on the flight the atmosphere was very relaxed. It made a nice contrast to the queue for security which was lengthy, nervous and worried. The sight of businessmenshoe-less and jacket-less carrying bags, clothes and laptops away from the scanners was amusing but reminded everyone that there was still a potential threat and perhaps this is the reality of air travel from now on.

Fylde and the surrounding area is one I know well. Blackpool, Heysham, Overton and Glasson Dock all bring back memories of trips North. On the way here I passed the hotel next to the canal which we all stayed in that last summer, an odd mix of fun and sadness. I remember the meals, the bottle of Oxford Landing and the sense of relief when we got back there. The waitress who always joked with us.

The Dalmeny is very different and has a long, family history. Celebrating it’s 60th year the prices have moved on since the 35 shillings it cost for a family room with two adults sharing with two children. The restaurant manager had her 21st birthday party here and is still a loyal employee despite the restaurant being restyled into The Atrium, a trendy bar and restaurant with concealed lights instead of the large patterned wallpaper of the 1960’s.

Admittedly not all of the transformation from a small family hotel of yesteryear to the larger, modern complex of today has gone well. Venture into the stairwells and you are faced with unrendered, unplastered walls with bare concrete steps. Despite that it has a nice feel and clearly wants to serve and support the community as the donation letters from the RNLI in Reception prove.

Tonight it’s home and warm and dry from the rain and wind outside. The BBC news says that in the next few days this area may, possible, be subject to the highest tides for years. Looking at the large expanse of flat sand in front of the Dalmeny I wonder if it will last another sixty years.

The Grottoed Macclesfield

Chinatown seemed empty as I wandered through it tonight.

I’d been in Soho earlier where the music in the pub was interrupted by a pub quiz and the drinkers interrupted by Chinese men peddling cigarettes and incomprehensible Chinese magazines.

London tonight was warm after a clear blue Spring day. The Charlotte Street Hotel was full of media types, those who managed to get in early enough before they spilled down the street to the Marquis. The really late comers were left on the steet corner outside the Marquis holding whatever they managed to purchase from the scrum at the bar.

Leaving behind the directors and runners and the talk of who was working on what film I walked down to Chinatown to eat at the Tokyo Diner (full of young Japanese girls talking about their first job in IT and a table full of people discussing new cycles and the best width for a set of handlebars) before heading to De Hem for a beer or two. There was a very diffrent crowd in here. The bar upstairs full of young Dutch people watching the football from their country, laughing and drinking. The masseuse was doing a good trade at the sofas and the tables were full of glasses of Fruli, the cranberry flavoured beer.

De Hem always has a welcoming feel to it. You can see why George R Sims wrote :

When oysters to september yield
And grace the grottoed Macclesfield
I will be there my dear De Hem
To wish you well and sample them.

In Town Tonight

Today I went to see the exhibition of Lee Miller's portraits at the National Portrait Gallery. It was really nice to see Sian and great to have someone to talk to as I wandered around. All of Miller's work, both in front of and behind the camera, was covered. Some very impressive fashion shots, some sad and haunting war reportage.

After some drinks at Browns and tapas in Covent Garden we wandered back through London before heading home. All in all a very good day.