View from The Crescent (other views available)

The only cities I visit frequently are Salford and Manchester, where I am constantly surprised by the amount of construction work. Maybe there's a slight difference in that Salford is going through a period of regeneration but Manchester seems to be constantly sprouting new buildings. I do remember - back in those pre-Covid days - always seeing lots of building in London, too, but then the capital has always been a law unto itself. Is it the same in other cities, though?

It's not just offices in Manchester but residential building, too. I read an article with one of the architects - the guy who designed the Beetham Tower, I think - and he was asked "Who's going to live in them?". He replied that he anticipated that people whose children had left home would take the chance to move into the city centre, thereby freeing up property in the suburbs for first-time buyers. It's possible, I guess.

I took this shot as I was walking along The Crescent on my way to college. Today we learned how to assemble tracks, which made for a hugely satisfying few hours. As far as results go: well, mcuh as I enjoyed it, I think I'll throw most of what I did away but I did end up with a nice litttle groove, which I think might form the basis for my project (setting one of Dom's poems to music).

And, of course, it was the last day before lockdown, so the Minx and I went to Freight Island for dinner (see Extra). Like Mackie Mayor's across town, this consists of a large eating area with loads of (well spaced) tables and then a collection of stalls selling different foods. We enjoyed a fine variety of bits and pieces, and, sadly, our last meal out for at least a month.

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-10.2 kgs
Reading: 'The Vanishing Half' by Brit Bennett