Salford

I am way behind on the blog which is unusual! We got the train to Manchester on Monday and tram to Salford Quays to the Etap hotel - clean and basic but fine. Dennis did not see us as he had to go to London after work! It was wet! Went to the Lowry centre. Gill and Chich Hewitt picked us up and we had an excellent Italian meal - lovely to see him again - last saw him at school in 1963 and he was Dean of Grahamstown and is now losing sight. Tuesday to the Lowry centre and had salad lunch there. To RNCM for Howard Skempton celebration - free concert of string quartet Tendrils with an outstanding cellist. A new guitar work played by the composer David Futers. To the Manchester museum and an interesting collection. In the evening had Harry Ramsdens fish and chips at Lowry centre and to Journey's End at the Lowry theatre. Very moving play especially the curtain call with the Last Post. Very powerful! Wednesday to Clare's for a lovely lunch - she is married to John who plays clarinet in the BBC Phil and used to teach with Liz. In the evening to the new MediaCity UK studio to hear BBC Phil and chamber ensembles play Skempton - attractive music. Thursday did some more reading and met Carol for dinner at Table table. Saw the Asia triennial exhibition Didem Ozbek and Osman Bozkurt on Life in the Uk and immigration controls from Turkey. Met Dennis at Bridgewater Hall for Halle concert conducted by Mark Elder. Lovely RVW Symphony 5, Dvorak serenade for wind and Cockaigne but no organ!