Manchester and Salford

 Thursday confusion over time of train bus and tube but we were a few minutes late so paid more and got next one. From Piccadilly walked to get bus and arrived at Luther King House. It's clean and there's a lounge and trees and it's quiet and cheap. Large library. Congregational foundation. To Bridgewater Hall and ate at Society where you order your food on your phone. Very nice but noisy. Pre concert talk with Colin Matthews and Kahchun Wong the Halle's new conductor, Britten Prince of the pagodas suite and Mahler 1. Good seats at the side so we could see conductor. He is brilliant! We have a double bed against the wall so we swopped over. 

Friday to the Whitworth gallery textiles and history of life drawing. Nice garden Coffee and scones in lovely cafe. The breakfast was large! To Manchester museum which has been refurbished. The exhibition Wild showed excellent work with kids and we visited the natural history galleries and vivarium. To St Ann's where Alex from Germany was very friendly and played the fine organ. Got food for dinner.

Saturday set off before 9 2 buses to Laudato Si' centre. This is at Wardley Hall where Bishop John lives and it's lovely. 24 animators came and Emily gave us a tour - the woodlands are perfect and the outdoor classroom fine. Soup and roll. Rain started and Bishop John arrived so photo with him. Sang 2 songs - I had recorded the first one too fast! Very stimulating discussions. Set off in the rain. Got off bus early because of traffic jam (a match) and went round in circles trying to find the Hidden Gem which is well named. Arrived late and met Liz. To Pizza Express for dinner.

Sunday had booked for home of Elizabeth Gaskell and walked through park to get there. Fascinating discussions and was asked to play the Broadwood piano. To Church of the Ascension Salford to play the new organ. Mass in Urdu and a very warm welcome from Canon Falak Sher. Loved the Palestinian Jesus. Lidl for food and 2 buses back. The BBC dismissed my complaints about Young Musician. The whole thing has been dumbed down. Judges not looking at scores. Far too much chat much of it trivial. Not enough music. How do you compare violin and oboe? No brass or percussion got through. The old formula of strings, woodwind, brass, percussion kept separate worked. Jess is trivial.

Monday very wet waited for 147 bus and when it came it was full so got a 42 and walked to station. The bus stops are too far apart. Assistance. Read Timothy Radcliffe's first 2 talks at the Synod in Rome. 2 buses home 4.15. Good thing I took car to Glyn Close last Wednesday as our road resurfaced on Tuesday. Call my bluff and Face the music are a delight and just shows what rubbish like QI we are now stuck with. Liz on zoom about autism. Only connect, Mastermind, University challenge. An unusual birthday. Liz gave me Petroc's book. Bruce and Dennis rang and I spoke to Ann before we set off. Tuesday a quiet day as the road was resurfaced. Liz went to physio. Read Richard Coles and finished Rowan Williams, Bake off. St Martin's lecture on inspiration with Lucy, Clare Becket and Ruth Padel. Ibiza hotel.