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| AT CHIPMUNK AT COSFORD MUSEUM |
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| GRANDAD MIGHT HAVE WORKED ON THIS TIGER MOTH |
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| RUBI FLANKED BY NOAMI & SCOTT |
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| EXTINCTION REBELLION PROTESTING IN MANCHESTER |
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| 'DRUM MACHINE' |
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| THE CROWD WERE INVITED TO JOIN IN |
Saturday 31st August, and it rained heavily in the morning. We left our Capel Curig bunkhouse at around 10.30pm to make our way back to the RAF Museum at Cosford, arriving 2 hours later. We had visited the museum on the first day of our holiday, but it was so large and there were so many aircraft that more time was needed to see it all. We had just about covered it all by closing time at 5.00pm.
Next, we drove to nearby Roden, just east of Shrewsbury, where Hil and Steve had their permanent abode, a charming old cottage that had been tastefully renovated whilst retaining the charm of some of the original features. Hil cooked a lovely meal and we all chatted until late. It was a pleasure staying with them.
Next morning we said our farewells and navigated a route to Manchester to see Rubi's daughter Naomi and her boyfriend Scott. Arriving shortly after midday, we took the train into the city to enjoy dim sum at an excellent restaurant in Manchester's Chinatown. We had intended to visit the Science and Technology Museum afterwards, but time was short so we visited the markets and the shops instead. We could hear loud drumming as we approached the city centre and learned the Extinction Rebellion were holding an organised demonstration. The drumming was from a group called 'Drum Machine' and they gathered a significant audience, some of whom were invited to participate in the drumming. Like African drumming, the rhythm was compelling and many people were inspired to dance.
A cancelled train meant that we had a wait a while at Manchester Picadilly station before we could get back to Naomi and Scott's rented cottage. When we did get there, we ended up watching episodes of Gavin & Stacey on Netflix until we were tired. We had brought with us sleeping bags, blankets and pillows, so were able to enjoy a reasonably comfortable night on the lounge carpet.
Scott was away to work early on Monday morning and Naomi not much later. After packing our bags into the car we closed the door and commenced our long, but otherwise uneventful, car journey home. It had been a hectic couple of weeks and we were both looking forward to a quiet, relaxing evening and lie-in in the morning.
