I have just spent three days in Manchester, it was quite nice, although a little on the wet side, but I was informed by a waiter in a restaurant that it does rain a lot up there. It was good to get out of London for a few days, although it was work. I always feel that when you get outside London people are a lot friendlier, especially in the North of England so it is quite refreshing to go up there. I sat in a restaurant on my own, with a book to read, otherwise I find that dinner goes a little to quick. Sitting alongside me were a local couple in thier 30's who started chatting to me, which is nice, but I am sure that it wouldn't happen in London. We then shared a bottle of wine and talked about the North - South divide, the main things apart from cost of living, as the sense of humour, in Manchester it seemed very dry and sharp and quite entertaining.