This weekend we drove south to visit Auntie Kate. I took the Friday off and we picked Holly up straight from school. Manchester felt like a different country with blue sky, sunshine and daffodils in bloom. We had a lovely time walking Matty the Dog in Alexandra Park, which was a nice introduction for the kids, who were a little nervous of him to begin with. At bedtime Auntie Kate read Not Now Bernard, which was very gracious of her considering the kids were in her bed, and she and Mick were displaced to the van outside. After an early start and pain au chocolat (which is Mancunian for breakfast) we headed to Chorlton Water Park for a nice lakeside walk (or ride for Louis, inevitably) and then to the Horse & Jockey on Chorlton Green for hot chocolate and cakes. After lunch, we visited Sophie, Carmen and wee brother Johnny. Once again the sun came out and the kids had a great time pottering in the garden. That's when Auntie Kate sprang her early birthday surprise on Helen, a trip to Cloud 23 for cocktails (complete with taxi service by Mick) on the 23rd floor of the Beetham Tower. There was a bit of a wait to get in, but the view across the city (and the cocktails) were spectacular. A great idea and a superb start to the birthday celebrations. Alas this morning, the Edinburgh weather had caught up with us, so we had a quick rainy trip to the park followed by a hot chocolate in - shudder - Mcdonald's. Another lovely lunch, and we had a good quick trip home. Louis slept on the way, and was refreshed enough to go for a few circuits of "excellent mountain biking" in D Mains Park. A nice way to round off a splendid weekend.
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