Wrapping Up the Week with a Bang
An Unforgettable Friday Night
What a delightful way to close out the week! Our Friday night was spent at the The Manchester Ball, held at the swanky Hilton in Manchester. We were invited by our friends, David and Beverley, and oh, what a smashing time we had!
The aim of this year’s Ball was to raise funds for The Factory, a community programme based in North Manchester. Even up until Friday morning, Michele was still dithering about what to wear. My dress code was straightforward enough – a classic black tie – but Michele packed a couple of different outfits to cover all bases.
The Pre-Ball Shenanigans
Michele had accepted the generous offer from David and Beverley to use their room for changing, while I opted to shower and change at the office before moving the car over to Liverpool Road by MOSI. I had hoped to meet David for a pre-ball pint at The Deansgate pub, but alas, the city’s traffic had other plans. Manchester was bustling with the Christmas light switch-on event, causing more people to flock into the city rather than leave it.
So, instead of our planned rendezvous, I popped into The White Lion on Liverpool Road for a quick pint. I indulged in a very nice, albeit pricy, pint of Timothy Taylor’s Landlord (£4 a pop, but worth every penny).
Glitz and Glamour at Cloud 23
With my pint finished, I met Michele in the Hilton lobby. Shortly after, David and Beverley joined us, and we were whisked up to ‘Cloud 23’ – the bar on the 23rd floor of the Hilton – for a champagne reception. The view over Manchester from up there was simply breathtaking.
After a couple of glasses of bubbly, we descended to the ballroom where the Manchester Ball was in full swing. Our seats were prime, right at the front, giving us a perfect view of the proceedings. The food, wine, and entertainment were top-notch. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly a ten-year-old girl from The Factory, who serenaded us with three classic songs, earning a well-deserved standing ovation.
Fun and Fundraising
Then came the charity segment, complete with a raffle, auction, and quizzes, all in aid of a great cause. The fundraising was a hit, and once the formalities were over, it was time to hit the dance floor, grooving to the tunes of a live band.
By shortly after midnight, we were feeling a bit knackered, and Michele decided it was time to call it a night. As always, our hosts, David and Beverley, threw a fantastic evening, and I’m sure their night went on longer than ours. Many thanks to them for a memorable night!
The Aftermath of the Festivities
Saturday was a dreadful day weather-wise, so we took the opportunity to catch up on some shopping and other chores before settling in for the evening with a homemade fish pie and some TV.
A Productive Sunday
Sunday was dedicated to a full-on tidy-up of Lewis’s bedroom. It was a top-to-bottom job, leaving the room spick and span just in time for me to catch United play against Arsenal. United clinched a 1-0 victory, leapfrogging City who lost to Sunderland. As for Lewis, he hasn’t escaped the chores – he’s off work on Monday and has some sorting out to do.
A New Week Ahead
Have a fantastic week, folks!
