So we've reached the tail end of our little getaway in the south, and we'd planned to take two days to get back to Manchester, which was Good Planning - as we soon shall see.
But first, a (veggie) full English, of course.
On the way we stopped at Haytor Rocks, just so I could see some more of Dartmoor before we left. The parking was full of ponies!
Even Liam was mesmerised and had to take photos.
And I liked the rock formations ...
... and the views from the hill.
This was a nice and very short walk up the hill, so if you want to see some good views and some good rocks, I recommend the Haytor Rocks parking. (AND I bought a tourist fabric badge for my backpack at the nearest National Park centre, so there's that too if that's your kind of thing. :))
I know, little pony friend, I also love reading all the information signs diligently.
This might actually be photo I took that represents this part of the journey best, because it has all the components: Our hire car, Liam reading something on his phone, a wild pony, and Haytor Rocks in the background.
Speaking of information signs, I loved this one at the visitor centre. :) It is important to only camp in sencable places!
And then we started the drive to the Midlands, to stay one more night with Liam's parents on the way to Manchester. Adding space into the schedule was VERY smart, because we got stuck in Glastonbury traffic; this was the view for most of that day. A drive which should have taken three and a half hours ended up taking seven.
But the thing is ... We had such a great time? Even while it was happening, we said to each other how happy we were. We had plenty of snacks and water and each other, and we were both just in such a great vacation mood - we truly had all the time in the world, and we felt it. We listened to music or to the news (listening to the news the week before the UK election was super interesting and fascinating!). The traffic wasn't entirely still, just very slow, so we could stop at services to get lunch and use the loo. All in all, it was a great day. Weirdly. (Also, Gloucester services <3)
I took only one more photo that day and that's this one of Liam, going up to the attic to find something in one of the boxes he still has up there. Probably tools of some sort. :)
The next morning, we stopped by Liam's sister Rose and her family to hang out a bit before we left. It was so lovely to see them and we got a tour of everything growing in the garden and the greenhouse.
Then Manchester! Rachel! Rain! Obviously. :)
We had dinner at HOME and it was just so great to see her again.
I ordered a market plate and it was quite simple on the surface - just a salad, flatbread and grilled halloumi - but it was absolutely delicious.
And then Rachel went to work, and Liam and I went to see and hear her work - here, at Bridgewater Hall.
The Hallé Orchestra, which Rachel plays with, did a Best of Bond concert, and I had planned the trip partly so we could be there for it. I would have been happy to hear them play almost any music, but Liam especially loves hearing film music live with a big orchestra. And I love seeing him as happy and moved as he was by the music.
In the interval we got little ice cream tubs because of the sheer joy of being able to get little ice cream tubs in the interval. :)
That's Rachel, second from the left on double bass. <3
The concert was really great - such fun arrangements and brilliant soloists, and just such powerful music to experience live. I'm so glad we were able to be there for it.
Shirley Bassey | Diamonds Are Forever
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