Marvel Superheroes and Chinese New Year

Manchester was packed for the Chinese New Year parades -

 

In 2008 we were meant to be seeing the Terracotta Warrior's in London -

We just missed out that time -

{They will be in Liverpool in 2018 - so hopefully we'll see them then}

But for now - we were impressed by this installation.

 

 

 

Ben was also very pleased to see this golden dragon!

 

 

 

Later in the afternoon we saw the fantastic Marvel Live superhero show at the Arena.

 

This was right up Ben's street - fights and motorbikes, explosions and special effects.

 

Recommended for superhero fans of all ages.

 

 

 

Ben's Tech Free Day

This summer Ben will be going to the International Scout Centre in Kandersteg

with the Aquila Explorers.

 

The group are fundraising to pay for their activities -

and so Ben decided that he would do something REALLY hard for him.

 

He did a full 24 hours with NO tech.

 

If you want to donate - here is his Gofundme

 

 

https://www.gofundme.com/bens-trip-kandesteg

 

 

Rogue One Replay

 

A trip to Liverpool One to see Rogue One for a second time - this time on the IMAX screen - with lunch at Café Rouge before hand.

Back to Sheffield

I was more than a bit concerned about getting Megs back to Uni -

it had snowed on the Pennines and the Snake Pass was closed for a day -

in the end we had a good run over the Woodhead Pass -

though the trip back over the Snake

 in thick fog with streams running across the road was "interesting"

We're meeting Megs in London in 3 weeks time -

beofre then she has an exam and some enrichment weeks 

{ and I'm sure a lot of long evening in the kitchen with her flatmate! }

Ben's First Time at the RSC

Or rather...... 

Ben's first time actually watching a play a the RSC!

{ previously he had great experience sitting in the cafe watching his tablet on the RSC WiFi }

We drove down to Leicester on Friday night, 

and had coffee with  Auntie Joyce the next morning, 

before heading on to Stratford.

We had lunch at the lovely Hufkins

{ not pictured - Al's incident with the tomato ketchup bottle - it was like a bloodbath! }

before watching the most fantastic production of The Tempest.

An astonishingly monumental set - a CGI Ariel - the most beautiful masque - and Simon Russell Beale as Prospero - FANTASTIC!

Afterwards it was ice creams (and crepes for Ben) before we headed home

A previous RSC Tempest in 2009

A New Years Walk at Tatton

Megs and Ben opted to stay in bed,

but Al and I enjoyed the loveliest walk in the frosty January sunshine.

Sweet Charity on New Years Eve

As always - New Years Eve was spent at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester-

This years show was the musical Sweet Charity - another fabulous treat!

We were back home for midnight - 

Ben loves watching the fireworks to celebrate a new year!