8 Days Pt 1 (A Genius, Anti - Cult Activists plus Bangers and Mash)

If you read the last post you know I've been on my travels again, This time I was out for 8 days in Manchester the longest so far. It's over now and I can feel the black clouds gathering. There are somethings that hit very hard, but enough of that, writing it down helps to ease the pain so to speak, of being back as bob.

Wednesday

I got into Manchester with a couple of hours to spare before I could check into the hotel. I went to Taurus in The Village a bar and restaurant which has changing facilities. The lounge where  you can change was busy with a theatre group rehearsing. The barman asked if it would be ok if I changed behind the curtain where the mirror is. That was no problem. While I was doing  my make  up I could  hear the rehearsals. The was a comedy and I was trying not to laugh. Once I was ready it was getting near time for me to check in. I felt really happy and trundled off to the hotel and checked in. I had saved a couple of hours which allowed me to go into the city centre straight away to get some essentials.

That evening I met up with my friends Diana, Kate and Mrs Kate. I looked a bit different with the wig I wore and was in a skirt and blouse which makes a change for me. A visit to Manchester Concord and some dancing in Naps, then we parted company.


Thursday- Birmingham (Bangers and Mash and New Hair)

Kate had booked 3 train tickets for Mrs Kate, herself and me for a day out in Birmingham. I had been once before with Kate. I really like Birmingham it was a joy shopping there the first time and this was even better. We went for a wander after we got of the train and ended up at a sausage mash restaurant, well it was sort of upmarket sausage and mash. I enjoyed mine as I think the 2 Kates did as well. While we were eating Kate spotted 2 tgirls outside at the ATM  I never seem to spot other tgirls when I am out. Anyway the sausage and mash was great something I hadn't had for years. I would have some more before the week was out.

Fed and watered it was time to go shopping. I wanted to go to Selfridges as I knew there was a  Hot Hair wig concession who sell Natural Image wigs. I knew which style I wanted, it was the colours I needed to see. Unfortunately they did not have the style I wanted, but offered to ring House of Fraser to check if they did. I thanked them for their help, but said I would take a walk up there anyway. Meanwhile Mrs Kate was getting into the spirit of things and bought a half wig that goes with  her own hair, but changes the style dramatically. 

In House of Fraser the assistants could not have been better. They had the wig I wanted and and let me see every colour. I said I didn't need to try any on. They seemed surprised, but I really did not want to take my own off as I had it just right. I saw the colour I wanted and along with a bottle of hairspray and a better brush and lots of advice on its care we left to continue on.shopping. I did get some Bobby Brown eyeliner which is excellent.
When wr got back to the Village we went for a meal in Taurus and then called it a night.

Friday - World Cup Fever

I love the morning its my favourite part of the day and when its sunny I couldn't ask for more. I went for breakfast at The Rembrandt. I had a full fry up which I really enjoyed. The 2 Kates were going to pick me up later  for a trip out to The Trafford Centre. I decided to take a walk to see a bit more of Manchester. Down by St Peters I cane across the statue pictured below.

I particularly like the words on the plaque.( Click on photo for larger image).
I then had a walk through the Peace Gardens and  headed back to meet up with the 2 Kates.

They picked me up by my hotel. On the way out to the Trafford Centre some idiots in a car next to us at the traffic lights started shouting abuse and decided to pace us so they could shout more. Always makes me wonder what morons like that get out of abusing people they don't know and have done nothing to them.
We did have a good day shopping and a really nice Chinese meal. Afterwards they took me back to their home for a coffee,
The World Cup had just started and England were playing USA the next day. Kate asked me what I thought the score would be. I thought the best result would be a draw. My reasoning was if England win some use it as an excuse to act as idiots. If England lose some use that as an excuse to act as violent idiots. A draw and they are not sure what to do. Well done USA for the draw.
I'd had another wonderful day and it was a real honour to be invited back to their home. Kate ran me back to the Village which was very busy. I said I would book a table for a meal on Saturday evening, Emma and Mrs Emma would be joining us. It was getting late and most of the restaurants were shut. I decided to call it a night and went back to the hotel.

Saturday - A Genius and The Activists

After another breakfast in the Rembrandt I decided to go to the Science Museum. They had an exhibition on about Leonardo Da Vinci. There were no original works, but there were working models of some machines made from his plans. Most of his writings and plans have been lost from what I understand.
The Last Supper apparently was painted on an experimental medium wet plaster seal with resin. Unfortunately the experiment failed and the painting deteriorated.. We see a reconstruction of what it must  have looked like.
Da Vinci believed  we should observe and investigate. There is so much in this world or even better universe to learn, but we seem to tend towards our base instincts. I wonder what he would have come up with if he was alive today. An amazing man. The exhibition has been extended so if you are in Manchester its well worth a visit .Da Vinci's 8 mirrored cubicle was one fun thing you could interact with. You can see yourself from every angle to infinity when you stand in it.

The mural outside the museum

Me at the railway yard outside the museum.

Walking up the road from the museum I heard and then saw a group of people protesting about something. They were anti cult activists. It seems a well known rock star's  daughter has joined a cult that has attracted some Hollywood stars. As I passed they said not to join them. I replied that I didn't think they would have me.

'If you have money they will', one assured me.

I stopped for a chat took a leaflet and continued on. I like talking to people and have met some interesting people.Most people seem to get past  that I am TG very quickly. There is a certain look in their eyes that does disappear. That's the only way I put it. I guess most people don't talk to many people like me and I think it is a slight shock, but saying that most people are really good.
Back in the Village I booked a table  in Villagios for 8pm. Along with the 2 Kates Emma and Mts Emma would bs joining us. I  also decided I would stay an extra 3 nights so I booked into the New Union from the Monday.
With time to spare I went of for another wander round the shops before going back to get changed for the evening. I did buy a lottery ticket and won £10 that evening.  I also got some nail varnish and painted my nails for the first time.
The football was on so Villagios wasn't to busy. It was nice to see the 2 Emmas again. Later we went to Spirit and then ended up in Naps for some dancing.
The  night came to an end I said goodbye to everyone as they wouldn't be out again while I was down.
Special thanks to Kate and Mrs Kate for looking after me.
I was having a wonderful time and it wasn't over, but I would nearly blow it, but thats for the next part I'll leave for now with a picture. It's times like those I feel true happiness.

On My Travels Again. Manchester to Birmingham

I spent another wonderful two days out and managed to see another new place.
I stayed in the Village in Manchester. It's becoming a bit of a second home. Being a Wednesday and Concord night there were quite a few girls out. I met 2 friends I hadn't seen for a long time Jane and Kay Denise. It really was lovely to see them both and have a quick chat. Jane from her blog I know is having a few challenges which I really hope she can overcome.She really is a lovely lady. KD was one of the first girls I met
when I first went to the Village. She gave me some invaluable advice which I've never forgotten. It's always a pleasure to see her.
Kate and myself had a meal in Taurus where we also met up with Diana,  Mandy and Tina. I hadn't seen any of the 3 of them for at least a couple of months. It was fantastic to catch up. I am really lucky to have such wonderful friends and it's always a joy to see them.
Kate and myself were planning a day out in Birmingham the next day, so we didn't stay out to long. I think I went back to the hotel about 1am.
I couldn't get the train to Birmingham until 10 07am otherwise it would be double the fare. I would be meeting Kate in the early afternoon. These train journeys are becoming just natural now when I am out.I am quite happy to take the train, but in saying that I know I've got to be sensible and not put myself in a vulnerable position. I have to think as much like a woman out on her own as much as I can. I know I get read, but I'm not going to wander round looking scared. My voice really gives me away, but if someone speaks to me, I try to speak in a softer tone, but with confidence,
The train journey, uneventful took about an hour and a half. A lady with her daughter thought I was sitting in her seat. When she asked me I replied that these seats were not reserved. She did stop for a moment and then asked her daughter if they were in the right coach. It turned out they were in the wrong one. She apologised and then sat down next to me and told her daughter to sit in a seat across the aisle. I said to her not to worry, these electronic displays can be a nightmare. She agreed and then told her daughter off for not reading it right. I don't seem to frighten people off. There were other seats they could have sat in.

When the train arrived I had a bit of time before I was due to meet Kate so I went off for a wander, I don't know Birmingham. I had been there before but only briefly and that had been a long time ago. Going round the shops everybody was really nice and I really got a good impression, I had to smile when I was called 'duck'. In the midlands its a common expression and I must admit it always makes me smile. I did buy a nice little black dress in Monsoon. I really do love that shop , but it is expensive, but sometimes you've just got to.

It came time to meet Kate so I headed back to New St.
When I met Kate we decided to get something to eat. She knew of a place in the Pallisades which was basically a greasy spoon. After an all day breakfast each we were ready to have a trip round the shops. Kate knows Birmingham quite well, but this was her first time out in Birmingham presenting as female. We got pictures with the big bull at the Bull Ring. We went up through the Christmas Market which was really big, far bigger than Manchester. There was just a lovely atmosphere about the whole place. We both bought some jewellery from a little shop Kate knew.
It came time for us to head back to the station. We managed to miss 2 trains. One because it actually left early. The other was my fault because I suggested we go for a coffee and then forgot the time.
Eventually we got a train back to Manchester and arrived just after 8pm. We got a bite to eat in Taurus and had a good chat about the day.I'd had a wonderful dayl and I hope Kate had enjoyed herself as well.
Birmingham is a city I would definitely like to visit again. Kate had to take another short journey home on the trrain so I asked her to text me when she got there because time was getting on and I was concenrned that she'd be ok. She did get home ok which was a relief.
I'd had another wonderful time out and it was fantastic seeing so many friends which was unexpected.
Thank you Kate for showing me round Birmingham.
Karen
xxx

Just had to add this photo of me with the bull.