It has been a tradition that Scott, my brother and I make a trip over to Europe every other year the first weekend in December for a Christmas market. This year being that year, we had talked about plans earlier in the year until Scott got the news that he had been waiting a year for which was that he was offered the job that he has wanted in the same firm and that he would start August 1st (while we were on vacation in Wisconsin). During Scott's first month on the new job, we were in Wisconsin, had the Sanger's up for a trip to the shore and went to St. Marteen for my birthday! Scott was running out of days quickly so the three of us decided to scrap the trip over to Europe this year and go next year instead. That meant I had vacation time to use so why not use it.
I had personally met
Suze for the first time when she was in NYC for a long weekend with a friend and then again when I was over in England in
May. After telling Suze the news that we weren't going to a European Christmas market, we talked about meeting somewhere since she had a few vacation days to use too. With events going on in her life it seemed best to just head over to see her and tour all that Northern England has to offer.
The trip began with about an hour to an hour and a half sleep on the flight (I never sleep well on flights). I was greeted by Suze at Manchester Airport where there were like a whole 5 people at the airport so definitely not hard to find each other. We loaded up the Benz with my luggage and off to meet Phil and Master Rocky. After freshening up we hit the Trafford Mall for some holiday shopping and got to see first hand the wonderful array of outfits, hair and scouse brows. Oh my!!! I hung in pretty well that day and managed to rally for a night at the pub with a pub quiz where team "Everything but the dog" place 4th (there were more than 5 teams).
The next day Suze and I took Rocky for a walk in the fields which was beautiful. Nice clear blue skies, rolling English countryside and one very happy dog. We headed off to Chester where we had an Indulgent Champagne Afternoon Tea at the
Chester Grosvenor Hotel. My first ever afternoon tea and it was fabulous!
It was time to hit the streets to see the Victorian style buildings and do a little Christmas Shopping.
We went to see Ben Folds Five that night at the Apollo who was spectacular. A good mix of his new album and some old favorites! The opening act was nothing to talk about. A good laugh and I will leave it at that.
Friday was a day of relaxation! We had a lovely lunch in Congleton, massages and manicures in Alderley Edge followed by pre-dinner drinks and then dinner at
The Botanist. While we were getting our nails done, a few 16 year old girls came upstairs after getting whatever they were getting done and to what would our eyes see, but this absolute perfect match of cultures before our very eyes. I mean who would even imagine this (blonde hair and all)
with a pair of these on
It happened people. It really happened. First we were laughing at the onesie becuase we had seen a few at the mall the other day and were thinking to ourselves who would really wear this. Then the clash of the cultures happened and it was over. Unfortunetly as our nails were being painted in shades of teal and blue we couldn't snap a photo of the actual outfit together, but I am sure you get the idea!
It was a wonderful relaxing day!
Saturday, we met up with a few of Suze's friends in Manchester for the Christmas markets. They were PACKED. I mean it was December 1st so everyone was loaded with cash in their bank accounts and were in full force out and about in the city. We enjoyed a few warm ciders, before heading to a warmer indoor facility which serves drinks. We had a few more with Suze's friends and we headed off to meet Phil at Brew Dog. We enjoyed a pint there and then headed to dinner before seeing The Lancashire Hotpots! They were a riot and truly a fun time. Suze had warned me that a conga line would potentially be happening at the event but I think her and Phil were a little surprised to see me in the conga line!
Sunday was my last full day in England and we went for a hack where Suze goes riding. It was a bit icy that morning but it was beautiful day to get up and enjoy the scenery. I was given Bounty and Suze was given Itchy to ride that morning. Bounty was more interested in having a morning snack than heading out to the fields for a ride but she managed to rally and get going. Itchy on the other hand obviously enjoyed breakfast earlier and was letting it out during the hack. Unfortunately I was down wind from Itchy during the hack and got a few full wafts of Itchy's breakfast. Not Pleasant. Needless to say, Itchy is not called Itchy and Gassy. Nice Suze!
We got back from the hack and quick changed and headed to meet their friends John and Laura for a hike. We did a 10k hike where we met a French speaking man and English speaking man man walking his dog who starting speaking in French when he approached us and then Phil jumps in with his French and then the man starts speaking English. WTF? We were all stumped by this but had some good laughs and finished off the hike before dusk and headed to the local pub for a early dinner. It was a great day to be out for a hike and clear the head!
We made it back to where Phil and Suze live and got Rocky in the house and then headed to see the Village Christmas lighting and market. Not too much going on in in the village market but Suze and I went for a piece of cake which was so good at the little teashop in town. We met Phil at the pub for a few last pints before the band came on and forced us to leave (due to their lack of singing abilities).
I had a wonderful trip with and amazing Host, Hostess and greeter!
