Every spare moment I would jump on my fixie (if it wasn’t raining, or bus if it was) and explore more streets, more galleries, cafes, or neighbourhoods slowly getting to know Manchester and all her intricacies, loves and history. I would glow in beginners mind, in awe of everything.

In the time I have been back in New Zealand it has been a long transition of moving. It feels like that was 2011, even though we have been back for longer. Moving and settling, no adventure, no balance, no freedom, no fun, none at the same time. No beginners mind. It has become a habit that I do not like so it is time to change it. My mission for January to drag me out of this state of being, is to treat Auckland like a tourist. To throw on my beginners mind glasses and explore. Usually I write massive lists of what I want to do but it is simple this year and I guess this is my resolution.

My favourite pictures from Manchester:

At work, looking back toward Manchester City. I was besotted (and still am) with the snow.

Outside one of my locals, Tea Cup.

At the edge of Piccadilly square highlighting some of Manchester’s sites.

After 9-months of living in the Northern Quarter I moved out to Whalley Range into an old Victorian Villa that was once attached to another. All that was left behind of the ‘other’ was its entrance way.

History poking through. I love how the cobbles poke through in Manchester’s little allies. Reminding us…

These little spaceman decorate the city and on a map make the picture of the spaceman. I only ever found one.

Oklahoma Tuesday’s.

The Manchester Buddhist centre where I spent a lot of time.

I got engaged to these hands.

Well it looks as though one more London coffee chronicles sneaked its way in:  Monmouth, in the Borrough Market.  I first saw Monmouth on Brian Ferry’s amazing photography blog and so had to visit.  Monmouth is just stunning.  A gorgeous corner cafe with rocket fuel and a beautiful local feel to it.  It doesn’t feel like a modern day swanky cafe, even though it was full on business people on this day.  It feels like an old bakery with style.  In fact I can’t quite find the words for it, which is probably rather obvious, but either way I really liked it.  There are a few Monmouth’s around London and they supply coffee to several other cafes as they roast their own goodness in a cup.  Check out their cool website to.  It’s a winner.

Only half an hour from central Manchester lies a massive deer park called Dunham Massey.   It is full with birds, long expansive green roads and deer. It’s a beautiful place to go and visit for the afternoon, have an ice cream and get up close to animals. Going there in spring is always a treat, with little baby geese, and ducks meeping and chirping like gossiping teenagers.

Castlefield is an area of Manchester’s city centre steeped in history.  It is the home of Granada studios (Coro street), with the Cheshire ring pointing the way.  A number of canals join here and there are Roman ruins alongside one, and the only blue post office box in Britain sandwiched between this and the Museum of Science and Technology.   Only a five to ten minute walk from Deansgate’s shopping paradise it is worth a nosy if you want a historical take on the red brick city.

A few weekends ago KC and I ventured to Crosby beach, one hour east of Manchester.  Crosby beach is near Liverpool, and is famous for Antony Gromley’s iron men lining the beach.  More on that later.  Heading to unfamiliar ground is always a good chance to sample the local delights, which for me is coffee.  On our way back through the township we realised how many cafes the small town of Crosby had so pulled into a park and decided to wander into Moose coffee, which reminded me of New Zealand cafes.

KC asked for her latte, and I promptly followed with a macchiato.  I am always surprised when people quickly press a button, instead of asking what a macchiato is, and thought to myself wow, they know their coffee!  That was of course, until a big bowl of whipped cream infused with caramel was delivered to my table.  The waitresses’ social intelligence picked up on my look of horror asking “you wanted a macchiato?” It turned out Moose have their own version of a macchiato, very unlike the the classic espresso macchiato I know and love. When my version came out, it was exceptional.

This highlighted what I love about travelling: you never know what you are going to get, even when ordering a coffee.

A friend of mine recently opened one of Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurants.  It was pre-opening week so we got to go for a very indulgent late lunch for half the price.  The food (and coffee) was divine!  I will definitely go back, even if it is just to have another Musetti macchiato.