30th October 2019 Wednesday Tour of the campus

Salford University has a quiet room with a long name in which the silence is such you can hear the blood in your veins. It has an energy house that was taken brick by brick and rebuilt in the basement of one of the buildings where new developments in energy technology are tested for load bearing. They put the new Solar panel on the roof and blow gale force rain or snow and sleet at it -  all artificially and computer generated. They have estate of the art laboratories  and class rooms with TVs visible by every student regardless of which corner there are in the room, the cameras and microphones show exactly what the lecturer is doing. Most importantly not only to they have multiple Costa coffee stations but they have a Starbucks. Having said that I haven’t been there yet, it’s been too busy. Yesterday the lectures were exhausting - how to do research - qualitative in the morning and quantitative in the afternoon. The highlight though was after the day was done, we went to the Bloomberg room. Worked with computers that have the software used by the financial traders. Absolutely awesome.

view from my Airbnb 

29th October 2019 Tuesday University of Salford

Having not physically gone to a University this is a treat, the old buildings? Huge parks and grounds with an ultramodern contrast of new. The historical museum and library is seeped in tradition and is just comfortable, easy to sit and read a book. Discovered references to Michaels great grandad a chemist and administrator in the Royal Hospital of Salford.

There is much to learn and much to absorb but plenty of time.

28th October 2019 Monday- 1st Day Of Residency Week

Very well organized, I have a student card and all I printed at home, I received in a bound book. Lectures on Dissertation and lots of conversations with fellow students. Such a good lunch of veg and meat, quality cheeses and cold meats. Very enjoyable. Brisk walk back to the Airbnb -  already dark at 17:30 and even though the sun was out all day, it is really, really cold.

27th October 2019 Sunday - Day before residency starts

Walked to Salford University after Michelle and Brian kindly dropped me off at my lovely Airbnb. About 10 minutes walk then across two canals, Peel Park and exactly what is expected from University Buildings. Imposing red brick with lots of trees, clearly have been around a long time. History seems to flood from its walls.

26 October 2019 Blackpool and the lights.

The lights, atmosphere, fun, lots of people, the cold, the wind and a bit of rain. It was a perfect evening in Blackpool we walked the south peer and got a feel of the atmosphere from the merry-go-round rides to the games, slot machines and family pubs. We had dinner at JD Wetherapoons where I watched Michelle and technology in action - ordering our food via the app while sitting in the restaurant. Five minute later we had our drinks and five minutes after that our appetizing meal in an establishment that was packed - really impressive. Brian, so very patiently drove us through the Main Street to see all of the lights and others darker less known streets to get home . Michelle has been coming to Blackpool with gran and grandad, bringing children and grand children, for forty years and as far as memory serves, has only missed seeing the lights twice in that time. I understand completely as they are entrancing, mesmerizing and awe inspiring - a concept that has become a tradition and has stood the test of time. Some light displays have been there for forty years while others are recent. Sponsored by jewelry stores and hotels, comic characters, stories and TV shows. Recently lights have changed to LED technology. The trams that move people from the North via the central to the South peer and back again, are also lit up as boats and trains. What an adventure. 

25 October 2019 Littleborough, Emma and Jamie’s house

Landed in Manchester and took the train to Manchester station Piccadilly where Brian and Michelle kindly picked me up and drove me to Emma and Jamies house Michelle and Brian were looking after Harry Tom and Honey, the golden lab while Emma and Jamie holidayed in Boston. Gorgeous well behaved boys that made me feel very welcome in their home. Julie took me round the area in her amazing Mercedes convertible, showing me 23 Knowsley Crescent, Michaels old house and taking me on a drive through our family’s historical past while I listened and learned about the area. 

Aunty Kath joined us for a great in quantity and great in flavor lunch in a pub. Was lovely to see her, at 88 she looks amazing. 

 

24th October 2019 PE to Manchester via Dubai

Middle seat on Emirates, not much space but grateful so so grateful to be able to be going to Manchester for my residency week towards the completion of  a Master of science in information systems management. The required subjects are done so the residency week and then the three month dissertation left. Having sold the Computer and Wireless business after 20 years and hankering to start something else, there were no bright innovative ideas - so the next best thing was to go and study,  to up-skill and get some inspiration for a new business. Arrived in Dubai, Costa Coffee and next is the flight to Manchester with a confirmed isle seat and two days with Michelle and Brian with the promise of Blackpool and the Christmas Lights, cannot wait!