Cardiff

Last night in Wales. Cardiff is known for being a big week end party for young people from near and wide. It lives up to its name. You hear partying and police/sirens at 3 AM but we still had a great sleep.

Today it's off to Cornwall.

On the Coast of Wales

Spent the night at The Links Hotel in Llandudno, Wales. UK is having a flood crisis. Thank God we were in York a week ago because right now they are asking residents to evacuate. The river Ouse is up 13 meters. It was raining here last night but now it is overcast but no rain as we start to tour the coast starting with Conwy.

Malaysian Feast with Chef Musa at Ning

Last night we had a fabulous dinner cooked by Malaysian Chef Norman Musa at Ning in Manchester.  The restaurant is not very far from Marco's house. Chef Norman joined us for dessert. He has promised to come visit and open a Malaysian restaurant in Rhode Island. After dinner we bid farewell to Eva and Nicola and Marco and Steffie.

Manchester in the Rain

Rain, rain go away. We escaped the rain in Manchester's down town shopping mall and in the cathedral. The shopping mall was a replica of ours, including a Subway and an Apple store. Manchester Cathedral was the second most bombed during WWII, but they have rebuilt it.

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De rigeuer in Manchester are "brellies" and rain coats.

Hundreds of Singer sewing machines decorate this fashionable Manchester shop.

Eva and Bruce google mapping Eva's house.

Inscription in Manchester Cathedral

Fun Reunion

So much fun to see our friends. Esp Eva and Nicola whom we had not seen since 1997.

Just a few pics; more later. Off to meeti Eva and Nicola.

Eva and Steffie

Salmone alla Eva

~~~~~

Manchester

Leaving Carlisle and off to Manchester where we will see Eva, Nicola, Marco and Steffie. More later.

More Good Beer and More Walking

Yesterday and today were more walking days - a repeat of Edinburgh, except this time it was from one end of Glasgow to the other through cathedral plus museum of famed Glasgow architect Charles Rennie MacKintosh. And through a horde of streets.

Tried more of the extraordinary Scottish / English ales. The Brits really know how to brew.

A few bed and breakfasts back I discovered a fascinating book by Bob Charney who found a photo album done by an unknown photographer who took gorgeous photos while touring the Highlands of Scotland in 1889. Charney found the album in an antique store. He follows the tracks and ultimately discovers who the photographer is and also the subjects. He finds the descendants! How different Scotland is today from what it was like when this Tinker Woman was peddling tin pans.