From The Thralls of Joy to the Pits of Despair

Life just really kicks you in the arse sometimes. How can I go from the highest of emotional highs, watching that royal dude and that lady get married, to the lowest of lows, having only 7% of my province turn out to vote and my country giving a mandate to an egomaniacal jackass? Arrrrgggghhhhh! ARRRRGGHHH! I'm having more than blogstrations! What a day to start writing these blogs again. Last night I was really happy to get back at them and had a whole weeks of adventure planned for you, my dear readers. Now? ARRRGGHHHH!

Fortunately (or unfortunately), I have been practicing my own form of yoga in the past two months to raise my concentration level and overall flexibility (I call it joga), and this had led me to power through my immense displeasure and mental anguish and get caught back up on the ol' Canadian Mancunian. So enough on voter apathy and dictator sweater vests and on to the fun stuff....

My plans for the week's blogs are vast, possibly unattainable---but when has this blog ever shortchanged you? Oh-- I need to write about the past month?  Hmm right. Well, I shall strive to reach my goal, just like the US strived to get Osama. (It will only take me a week though).

We just finished a long and fantastic visit with Jen and Jaryn. It was action packed and full of adventure---far too much for only one posting. So this week will have a few different blogs with all of the goings ons and happenings that we got up to, including a guest blog!

So we begin......

J and J arrived safely after a long flight and we mostly just took Monday to relax and for them to catch up on sleep. I am still amazed how quickly they got over the jet lag.

Tuesday was a walk around Manny to see some of the unadulterated beauty the city holds. We did find some really gorgeous bricks. Joking aside, it was a really nice day out and we walked all over and found this nice spot on one of the canals.

That night we had an OK dinner at the Northern Quarter restaurant. I was kind of expecting quite a bit more than we received. I had a groupon (if you are not signed up--do it! It's wicked. Thanks Heidi!) and that was the only thing that saved it from being close to a major rip off. One day I think we'll find a restaurant that will blow our minds here. It just might cost us $500.....Anyway, I wouldn't recommend it unless you go just for appys, as they were good.

The next day we hung out again exploring a bit more of the city, had some really good naps (I've gotten good at napping--almost better than making Excel spreadsheets) and then went up to the curry mile. I think I've explained the curry mile to most of you, but it is literally almost a mile of only curry houses, each with their own special dish of spicy heaven.

After filling our bellies with a whole lotta spice, what better to do than hit up a concert. Probably my number one or  two band that I most wanted to see live, Architecture in Helsinki, was playing and we scored tickets.

Here is their new single: Contact High (or contact time, if you prefer, Jen).

It was super fantastic. They are playing on June 5th in Vancouver if anyone is interested in going. I highly recommend it. If I was on facebook I would give it a thumbs up (Heather just taught me about the thumbs ups).

Loved it. The new album is great too. It definitely would have won a Grammy in 1986. Maybe 88?

Thursday night was the big planned pub crawl! I made a map so we could find our way around. It was a pretty good map and it certainly did the job as we did not get lost and made our way home safely. I wanted to take a picture of every place. The pics got progressively worse as the night went on (whaddya expect?), but they are fun.

Before we hit the pubs though, I took J and J to the Museum of Science and Industry, which I was excited for since H and I went there last month.

Jaryn found the inspiration for his beard originated in Manchester with Joules.

We did quite well on the crawl and made it to most of our favorite Manny pubs and some new ones too.

We started off at Cask. Very good beer (the winner of the night). A little dirty and small. You could bring your own food in! We went to the chippy across the street and loaded up. 7/10 (the beer was really, really good)

Next we went waaayyyy up the Hilton to Cloud 23. It's not a pub per-se, but we wanted to get the view experience and who doesn't love a good cocktail too? It was really neat being up that high, but the prices of the drinks raised too. Worth it? Yes, but no more than once. Place: 5/10. View: 10/10.

Next was my favorite in Manny. The Briton's Protection. What I always imagined a hearty English pub to be. Nice. 10/10.

We joined up with Catriona for the next little bit and my second favorite pub, The Pevril of the Peak. Nice picture of Robbie Coltrane on the wall (I seriously loved Nuns on the Run), but crappy, slow jukebox. Some good beer, but also some really awful stuff. 8/10.



We then headed to Mr. Thomas' Chophouse. I like the fact it is a little more formal and 'Mr' is used in the name. It was ok, great tile floor, but little in the way of ambiance. 5/10. I have eaten here though and it has the best Yorkshire pudding I have ever had. If I include the pudding from a previous visit, that bumps it up to 6/10. Otherwise, skip it.

We ended up going down. Way down to the next place. It's called Corbiers and we went down about three flights of stairs to get there. It was kind of wine-cellar-like. Pretty cool. We had awful beer though. Jen had a wine and it was good. Tasty nuts. Good Service. 6/10.

After a little snack of chicken tikka kebabs from Hunter's BBQ, we headed off to TROF. It has three levels, including the top that is only two couches with no music, really just like a living room. Horrible selection of beer on tap--and it tasted poor to boot. Best music of the night though. If you go, get a rum and coke. 4/10.

Next was a real winner. We were headed to a different pub when we walked past the Keko Moku and saw the bartenders dancing up a storm. Their dancing pulled us in like moths to a flame. Turns out they actually used a flame to make our drinks too. Ever had a Zombie? I recommend getting one. I had never seen a blowtorch used for that purpose before. They  were a little pricey, but hey, fire costs money. Drinks: 8/10 Service: 11/10.

Finally the night ended at a Place Called Common. Good place to end. Good music. Low key. Not bad beer. Close to home. 6.5/10.

A super fun night!

Blast-er from the Past-er

A two-parter of conquering the fear in Salmon Inlet at Kunchin Point.

Manny Cats!

So I joined this softball team in Manny and we practice on a cricket field. I've been to two practices and didn't bring my camera and I have seen about 15 different cats. I call it cat field. Then I brought my camera yesterday to practice....no cats. I blame Stephen Harper.

Anyway, this guy was set for pets until a car with one of those super high pitched mufflers drove buy and scared him off. I will call him, Petrified Pete.

Alright my friends--try to shake off your malaise (I know it will be hard), raise your middle finger, and don't let the Devil in the sweater get you down.

A big shout out and high fives to my Brother on his birthday and Chantal and Rob on their wedding. Wish we could have been there for both.

Stay tuned for more posts this week on the rest of our trip.

Later,

CC