Catalpas.....

I often walk along Brazennose Street, running between busy Deansgate and the grandness of Albert Square. Lined with undistinguished buildings and unattractive, in some places, wobbly paving, I always think it's a bit of a missed opportunity. At one point it was planned that it would be widened into a tree lined boulevard linking the Town Hall to the Crown Courts. But that never came to pass. I'm quite pleased about that as I like the way wonderful things just appear in front of you without warning in Manchester. I remember showing two American friends around the city and having them pleasingly shocked by the sudden appearance of the Town Hall as we rounded a corner into Albert Square. It was in a good way as well.

As you walk along Brazennose Street you do get tempting glimpses of the Town Hall tower. But apart from that I think the street only comes into its own in the run up to Christmas when the markets fill the street.

But in the sunshine today I did enjoy the trees that line it. Top of my list of favourite trees here are the Indian Bean or Catalpa trees with the trunks that lean at crazy angles.