COUNTRYSIDE & CUPCAKES

Hello Internet people!

So this weekend has been interesting to say the least. A friend came to see me for the weekend and because he'd never been to Manchester before so I had to play tour guide on his little holiday. On the first night, i thought it appropriate to take him to my local pub, to show him how inexpensive it is for a good drink outside of London. The pub i took him to was called The Rising Sun in Mossley, a real traditional pub with the friendliest locals and a proper homely feel to it. Unfortunately, seeing as it was a Friday evening, it was very busy and there was nowhere to sit, so we decided to go out in the city and i could show him what a night out in the north is like instead. I took him out to the Gay Village, as it is the place i like to go on a night out, and he seemed to enjoy himself. A few drinks and an encounter with an intoxicated good friend later, we decided to go home. Before leaving the city centre i managed to show him Manchester's main places to see, which is mostly conveniently condensed into a small circular walk. After a taxi journey home, day one seemed to end successfully.

Day two started with a hangover and for him, a bacon butty. We then went out to a small town called Uppermill which is in Saddleworth, not far from where i live. Uppermill is a beautiful countryside town, surrounded by hills and amazing views, and i thought it to be the best place to go because of its tea rooms and small independent shops to amble round. after a small rummage in an old book shop, we then went to 'The Vintage Cupcake Shop' which does the most amazing and aesthetically pleasing cupcakes in the north. The shop sells an array of cupcakes and offer a tea service and other wonderful cakes and beverages. Every time i enter that small shop i feel slightly sophisticated because, even though i am yet to sit and have tea there, it just feels like something people posher then i would do weekly. He then took multiple pictures of the views and the alpacas on the hill side. It was quite an adult feeling day to be honest.

The next day he left to go back to London, after having a good weekend, and that's when it hit me that i'm actually living in the perfect area and i've been taking it for granted. This weekend has given me a new light on a place that i've just overlooked for years as a mundane place that i've grown up in. The real thing to think about is what you really think of where you're from. A few months ago i was ready to walk away from it all and i thought i'd be happy, but now, i'm back here and i appreciate it for the first time in a long time.