So much for a fun trip to Manchester in the name of work.

The work was fine. The meeting was good and will get us some good business, but it was what happened after was more fun. I met up with a mate from college and his girlfriend, they’ve worked in Manchester for years and profess to even like the place. We did the usual, too many beers in town in what they call the northern quarter, then to a new curry house called Akbar’s that we used to go to in Leeds yeras back.

So far so good.

But then the snow got worse and the train was cancelled and so we just went back to bar. And drank, and drank.

And then yesterday I got the early train down which cost an absolute fortune, but fortunately the bank will pick that up. And then I had to drag myself through the day at work so so tired, and more than a bit hungover.

Whoa! Don’t want to be going through that agin for some time.

Having said that I hardly ever travel for work, I’m now on the train to Manchester for a meeting this afternoon. Great. Having friends here I’m hoping to get together a bit later and catch teh late train home.

Britain looks quite special from the train window when you have time to look out at it all. Having done very little yesterday I ought to have my head down working, but it’s just looking too good to miss out there. There was a heavy frost last night and the morning sun is creating lovely patterns around tress where some frost is still in the shade, but bright green grass is exposed all around it. I do feel sorry for the poor livestock out there trying to scrub around for a few sharp frozen blades of green though.

We’ve just passed Macclesfield which looks deceptively pleasant from the train today, but having been a few times I’m not fooled. It’s the first bit of Grim Up North in my book. Next up Stockport. One of the horrible places to be absorbed into the Manchester conurbation and worth just passing by too.

Right. Ten minutes to go. Best pack up and get ready to step out into the chilly day. Quick stride across town to Deansgate and into the new complex of Spinningfields. Smart and a bit Spitalfields like, but lacking the benefit of the cool Shoreditch brings to the London lookalike.