Friday 13th November

Lunch visit to The Old Grapes - just water again to go with my lamb shank, mash, peas and gravy...

Fri night - trip to Leeds - went out in Headingley. It was really quiet in Arc and Trio. Did meet some random (apparent) ex Rhinos player from New Zealand. Tomo or something - but can't find him on the web.

Quote of the night. In relation to my 'golden yellow' hoodie - "you look like a piece of mazipan. it makes me want to finger you"...

Thursday 12th November

Trip to Oklahoma (in the Northern Quarter) for lunch. don't think they even sold beer. but they did sell a pretty tasty chocolate cake!!

Manchester Christmas lights turn on in Albert Sq. never been before - pleasantly surprised. Excellent fireworks. boom.

Then a quick stop at Corbieres - half a pint of tap water. job done. still can't believe you've never been there before Viv!

Wednesday 11th November

Why is it never easy when it comes to cars??!

my wrench has been rounded. My housemates wrench was too big. And then the wheel nuts were too stiff/ceased to get off with a socket set...

Andy to the rescue again...two new wheels fitted. plus an Andy eye socket shaped dent to my drivers side wing...don't ask...

Beers on me Mr Dawson, sometime after 2.31pm on 5th December...

Tuesday 10th November

another one of those evenings where a cold beer would have gone down a treat!

First stop Padfield to collect my car after its MOT - £75 for a new battery - really??! Still £175 all in for another years motoring, can't complain.

Next stop - pick Andy up as designated navigator for a trip to Blackburn, to meet my new friend Jack, who sold me four wheels on ebay for less than the price of one new tyre. happy days.

So 3 hours driving without alcoholic reward...man down! slept well though.

Monday 9th November

Katsouris for lunch - no "avoiding" to be done there. another roast gammon off the bone, pineapple, onion, german mustard, iceberg and mayo half ciabata...think it is officially my favourite sandwich. close second is Greggs' chicken pesto baguette - the one with sun dried tomatos.

still think they should have kept Greggs and Braggs at Bakers Oven shops.

Evening - cooked for the first time for a long time, albeit a simple pork loin, veg and oyster sauce stir fry. tasted good, even without my usual secret ingredient - rice wine.

Sunday 8th November

Another lie in. bliss.

a quick trip into town. then back home to chill. watch Planet Terror - a little bit weird...

Saturday 7th November

Finally got some time to myself and chill. stayed in bed til nearly 2pm...
(been waking up at 5ish every day since the clocks changed. 2 weeks and counting!)

quick stop at the Sweet Tooth Cup Cakery with Freddie and Susie.

next stop town for "breakfast" (at 4pm) in Katsouris (yum) with Andy and Gez in the middle fo their xmas shopping.

then to withington for a brew and catch up with Shayrelle, Ruth and Jessica.

then to pizza express in West Didsbury for tea with Caroline, Amy, Fionnoula, Louise, Laura, Michael, and Emma. Why is it there's nothing you really want to eat in Pizza Express. Settled for Lasagna - it wasn't up to much it has to be said.

next stop the Northern Quarter and a red bull in The Bay Horse. Followed by two pints of water...don't want to get dehydrated. Met Dave A, Dave M, Carlos, Matt and Alyson.

Then to Lammars with Dave A and Carlos to meet Craig and his brother. Bumped into Amanda and Julie - mid way through what turned out to be a fairly big session, no?!

Nearly ended up with a mouthful of Guiness when some fool bumped into me when i was sat down!!

Luckily Lammars shuts at about quarter past two - so plenty of time to get back to chorlton for a Dixy Chicken burger...with hash brown...oooo yeah!