Cascadian Nomads
  • Pet Adventure Blog
  • Cascadia- About Our Area
  • Nomads- About Us
    • Cascadian Nomads Advertising Opportunities
  • Humans
  • Canines
  • Psittacines
  • Felines
  • Contact

Manchester, England And The Greatest Dog-less Vacation Photo Ever Taken

9/16/2014

10 Comments

 
Typist: Bethany
What feels like a lifetime ago, I skipped home from school and asked my parents for money to receive the addresses of other students my age in other countries. It was a pen friend exchange offered in my French class and I believe it cost one dollar per address. For those of you who don't know what letters mailed in envelopes are or that people once used ink filled styluses called simply "pens," having a pen friend was an old fashioned way to communicate before e-mail and social media. This is how I met Jane from Manchester, England. And why it feels like a lifetime ago. Jane and I have met only once, when she came to visit me here in Cascadia while we were both in college, and we have stayed in touch since back in the sending mail to street address days. She and I agreed many years ago that we are sisters even if from different parents and continents. An invitation to the wedding of a friend like Jane is one of the only reasons I would ever even consider traveling without my pets. Jane was married in Stockport, England in August and Jason and I were there. It was wonderful except for how very much I missed Wilhelm, Brychwyn, Huxley, Amelia and Leo. Fortunately, Jane's adorable young son liked to look at pictures and videos of my pets. And I did get to see some amazing things, including dogs and cats, on my journey.
Stalybridge, England, UK
The view from the back of Jane's home.
Miniature Schnauzers Stalybridge, England, UK
The view from the front of Jane's home.
Manchester, England felt like home. There are a lot of similarities between Seattle and Manchester. The roots of Manchester are based in industry like my own Jet City. Both cities have a very rich musical history. The people are casual, friendly and laid back. Everyone we met in Manchester was very outdoorsy, for just like Seattle, all kinds of natural recreations are extremely close to the city center. Even the weather patterns are almost identical. I simply loved the gray and rain in this part of England. The similarities the cities that raised us share must be a part of the reason that Jane and I have remained so close all these years.
Manchester Town Hall, Albert Square, Manchester, England, United Kingdom.
Manchester Town Hall, Albert Square, Manchester, England, United Kingdom.
Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee fountain, Albert Square, Manchester, England, United Kingdom.
Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee fountain, Albert Square, Manchester.
German Shepherd puppy in Albert Square, Manchester, England, United Kingdom.
Adorable German Shepherd puppy that I got on the ground and played with in Albert Square.
Stonehenge Mini-Golf, Dig The City Urban Garden festival, Manchester, England, United Kingdom.
Did you know that Stonehenge is in Manchester? Neither did we! It was much smaller than we imagined... And on a mini-golf course during the Dig The City Urban Garden Festival.
A Manchester Craft & Design Center shop.
A Manchester Craft & Design Center shop.
Other fun similarities between Seattle and Manchester that Jason and I were lucky enough to discover are the markets. Both cities have a rich market history that is being preserved with the help of amazing crafters and diligent farmer's. We learned a little history of the Smithfield Market and enjoyed browsing at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre. A former fish market houses store front and studio space for a wide variety of artists. We also took pleasure in a rainy stroll through the Levenshulme Market. Of course, my favorite part of this outdoor market was the dogs perusing the stalls. Similar to some Seattle dogs I know, the Manchester dogs don't seem to mind a downpour.
The historic Smithfield Market, Manchester, England, United Kingdom
The historic Smithfield Market, Manchester.
Dog in the rain near the Lenenshulme Market, Manchester, England, United Kingdom.
Dog in the rain near the Levenshulme Market.
Perhaps one of my very favorite things about Manchester is the incredibly tasteful mix of old and new architecture. Not once during our visit did I see a new building that seemed out of place or an old building that wasn't being properly preserved. I wish more cities would follow this excellent example of bringing in the new without disregarding the old.
Manchester Central Library and Manchester Town Hall Extension, Manchester, England, United Kingdom.
Manchester Central Library and Manchester Town Hall Extension.
Picture
An amazing modern building in Manchester (if anyone knows the name, please tell me in the comments!) I was entranced by the reflections on the street...
Not only is my beloved friend Jane one of the only people in the world who could drag me out on a holiday without my pets, she is also the only person on the planet who could convince me to pose for a cheesy vacation photo. I have a very hard time taking photos of anything without my pets in the frame and I don't think I really ever need to be in a photograph. But here at last is the moment you have been waiting for, the greatest dog-less vacation photo ever taken. Thank you Jane. For everything. Seriously.
The Greatest Vacation Photo Ever Taken (near a mailbox without a dog.) A Manchester Bobby gives the Cascadian Nomads humans a thumbs up! Manchester, England, Uniuted Kingdom.
Jane told us we had an obligation to pose by an English mailbox. The bobbies came by and I asked Jane if she was getting them in the photo. Hence, Jason and I were lucky enough to have the greatest vacation photo ever taken (near a mailbox without a dog.)
Our next UK adventure: Stockport And Dobcross Phone Booths Plus Dog-Friendly Peak District National Park here.
Share this post:

Tweet

10 Comments
Molly The Wally link
9/15/2014 07:27:33 pm

So glad you made the trip and had a great time and nice to read about all the similarities. Great town with a rich history. Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly

Reply
Bethany
9/15/2014 07:47:22 pm

Thank you Molly! I suppose one big difference is that our history here in Seattle is kind of a newborn baby compared to the centuries of Manchester's proud heritage.

Reply
Taryn link
9/15/2014 09:44:49 pm

I too had a British pen pal, mine being way back in the late 60's. Alas, we did not maintain our contact for very long. Though I'm sure if I went through my boxes of saved stuff, I'd still have her photo. Love the photo of you and Jason at the mailbox!

Reply
Bethany
9/16/2014 06:15:18 am

Jane and I both had other pen pals but there was just something about our connection that made it stick. Perhaps it has something to do with our common off-beat sense of humor that made for that fabulous photo!

Reply
Mary link
9/15/2014 11:56:36 pm

Great photos and it looks like a wonderful time. My family is from Manchester, and I would love to visit someday.

Reply
Bethany
9/16/2014 06:20:17 am

Thanks Mary. How lucky that your heritage is intertwined with the rich history of such a fine city! I hope you make it there someday.

Reply
Jackie Bouchard link
9/16/2014 02:14:34 am

Wow - what a fun trip! Cute mailbox photo - and love the happy bobby in the background!

Reply
Bethany
9/16/2014 06:16:13 am

I wish I could thank that bobby for making our day!

Reply
Rebecca link
9/16/2014 10:38:46 pm

You all seem to have had a wonderful time. And you really did get the greatest vacation dog-less picture ever!

Reply
Jan K link
9/20/2014 10:12:44 pm

That does prove that it's possible to have a great vacation and photo without the dogs, even if that's not the preference! It looks like a wonderful and fun trip.
It's so cool that you and your pen pal became such good friends. I had a pen pal when I was young too, but we lost touch. My sister and hers became friends and have met up more than once, even though they live on opposite ends of the country.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Cascadian Nomads
    Pet Adventurers

    Cascadian Nomads adventurous dogs and parrot with pet and travel blogger, Bethany Clochard.
    Cascadian Nomads canines and psittacine on a road trip with blogger Bethany Clochard.
    Pet travel blogger Bethany Clochard shares a lifetime of budget travel experience, camping, and enjoying outdoors & Pacific NW adventures with pets. She currently hits the road with three dogs, a cockatoo & a cat.
    Related
    Instagram Follow on Instagram
    Picture


    Follow on Bloglovin
    follow us in feedly
    Picture

    Never miss a post! Have Cascadian Nomads Pet Adventure Blog delivered to your inbox:

    Delivered by FeedBurner


      Get our e-mail newsletter:

    Sign-Up

    Find anything on our site by searching here:
    Click any sidebar image to learn more!

    Cascadian Nomads only places ads for products we use, made by businesses we like. We highly recommend a click to
    visit our sponsors:
    (not affiliate links)
    WrapSit Quad Folding Chair Slipcover
    WrapSit is the ONLY slipcover crate for your folding quad chair. It makes taking pets and personal items outside or on a trip exponentially easier!


    Join us on the First Monday of Every Month!
    Positive Pet Training Week

    Positive Reinforcement Pet Training Week
    Hosted by Cascadian Nomads, Tenacious Little Terrier,
    Travels with Barley, and
    Wag n' Woof Pets.

    Picture
    Celebrate #MultiPetDay June 30th

    Categories

    All
    Adventures
    Amelia
    A To Z Challenge
    Awards
    Birds
    Black & White Photography
    Blog The Change For Animals
    Brychwyn
    Budget Travel
    Camping
    Cascadia
    Cats
    Celebrations
    Cockatoo
    Collie
    Corgi
    Cross Country Drive 2013
    Dachshund
    Dogs
    England & Wales 2014
    Fit Dog Friday
    Giveaway
    Holidays
    Humans Who Love Pets
    Huxley
    Leash-law
    Leo
    Multi Pet Life
    Peeks At The Past
    Pet Fitness
    Pet Health
    Pet Training
    Pet Travel
    Photography
    Planning Pet Adventures
    Positive Pet Training Week
    Product Review
    Road Trip
    Scoop That Poop
    Seattle
    Silliness
    Southwest-drive-2014
    Sponsored Post
    Urban Hikes
    Walk Your Dog Week
    What To Pack
    Wilhelm
    Woof-support
    Wordless Wednesday


    The Cascadian Nomads are:
    Cascadian Nomads Bethany with the dogs and Leo at Wilson's Arch, Moab, Utah
    Cascadian Nomads triton cockatoo Leo enjoys the sunshine in West Seattle, Washington, Cascadia
    Cascadian Nomads adventurous cat Amelia enjoying the view in West Seattle, Washington, Cascadia
    Cascadian Nomads black and tan dapple miniature dachshund
    Cascadian Nomads cardigan welsh corgi Brychwyn, Alpental, Washington, Cascadia
    Cascadian Nomads rough collie Huxley enjoying the green at Lopez Hill Park, Lopes Island, Washington, Cascadia
    Cascadian Nomads Jason with miniature dachshund Wilhelm snowshoeing Silver Fir Snoqualmie Pass, Washington, Cascadia
    Cascadian Nomads founding pets:
    Cascadian Nomads Founding Pets: Cockatiel Bobbie Birdie, cats Emily and Gryphon and dog Tynan.

    Features & Awards

    See products on this blog you like? Find all of our favorites on our Amazon Influencer page!
    Picture

    Bethany Clochard (@cascadiannomads) - influencer profile on Dealspotr
    dealspotr.com

    © Copyrighted Content
    Posts, words, photos or images from or featured on this blog may not be copied, reused or reproduced in any form without the prior express permission from the blog owner.

    The Doug

    The Fine Print
    For more on Cascadian Nomads privacy policy, advertising disclosure and responsibilities to our readers and visitors, click here.

Disclaimer
Cascadian Nomads are not veterinarians, behaviorists or animal trainers. Always consult with a veterinarian before starting or changing your pets exercise routine, before traveling with your pet, before changing your pets diet or before using any new pet products. Since all pets are unique individuals, consulting with a veterinarian, behaviorist or animal trainer about your pets specific needs is always recommended.
Disclosure
Every post  Cascadian Nomads publishes that is sponsored by a company or brand or obtained through an affiliation with a media network will contain a disclosure paragraph.  We do not use any affiliate links,  just regular links to a product or company website.  Cascadian Nomads only shares honest information that we feel is relevant to our readers whether a post is sponsored or not.
Privacy Policy
Cascadian Nomads does not share personal information with third-parties nor do we store information we collect about your visit to this blog for use other than to analyze content performance for marketing purposes. We do use cookies and add-ons, which you can turn off at anytime by modifying your Internet browser's settings or opt out of  add-ons. We are not responsible for the republishing of the content found on this blog on other Web sites or media without our permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice.
Copyrighted Content
Posts, words, photos or images from or featured on this blog may not be copied, reused or reproduced in any form without the prior express permission from the blog owner.

©2013-18
BethanyGO Designs


Cascadian Nomads Pet Adventure Blog: Budget pet adventure inspiration through stunning photography and amusing dog, cat, cockatoo and human stories.