No earthly morning walk

First off, Shima33 has released a new album, titled resting in turbulence, dancing in the rain, and seriously, go give it a listen. It's serene, immersive, moving and it has some slightly unexpected elements that occasionally lift you out of the ambient atmosphere, in a pleasant way (Vita and Ultra are good examples of this, with a lilting rhythm kicking up part way through the former and a slightly more energetic one in the latter.) I listened to it while walking to work in the rain this morning and the whole experience had a lovely dreamlike atmosphere about it, like bringing some magic back into everyday life, and seeing familiar surroundings in a different light. It really made the morning feel like something special, rather than just the start of another normal day.

So in today's post, there are of course more pictures to catch up with.

Stopping to look at some nice buildings in a very nostalgic part of town - just up the road from here is a teeny weeny little single-storey building looking over the river, which used to be a TV rental shop (I used to love going there with my dad on a weekly basis; it was cosy, quiet and dare I say it, a bit liminal) It's now a house so, as per usual, I haven't photographed it for privacy reasons.

Loving the different window shapes with this cluster of office buildings here, and that gorgeous, lavishly decorated, arch over the door to Royal Court. The shiny text is a nice touch, too. These structures blend in quietly 'round here, but it's the details that make them stand out.

This big ol' hoofer 'ere, housing a print shop, a gym, an Italian restaurant and a dance school. The lights of the cars shimmering on the wet road and the warm lights in the windows of the flats over the way felt quite cosy.

Going down a back street, we can see the back of the building, with that intriguing bit sticking up on the top. Continuing the theme of yesterday's post, I'd love to see inside this building, especially the squirrelly back areas. With it being used for so many things over the years, there must be some fascinating little pockets of history in there.

Round the back of a pub, with a metal goose standing on top of the gate. Can't really vouch for the pub itself because I went in there once, back around 2012, the guy behind the bar was pointlessly arsey (literally just asked for a Jamesons and he responded by making some condescending remark, absolute twat behaviour), and I haven't been back since.

More scenery 'round the back of the same pub, complete with an errant traffic cone.

This one's not very well laid out because I had to snap it in between cars zooming past but the lights in the window and the fairytale-esque doors at either side intrigued me. Up until recently, the dog grooming place was another pub, with very pleasant staff, and I have fond memories of this one time I got back from Poynton at Ludicrous O'clock at night, stopped off there for a couple of aggressively strong smoked porters (it was gorgeous but man alive, it was rocket fuel), had a ciggie with a load of  proper bold, loud, zesty, full-on huns outside (and I mean that as a compliment) despite the fact that it was arctic and somehow made it home despite thoroughly spaghetti-legging it in the cold, and the rain, while completely exhausted and absolutely hammered. Good times.

Onto the park now, a different one from my usual stomping grounds; this one's on the other side of town. Here we have this interesting tree, with its vast roots spreading all about. I love it when you can see substantial roots poking up out of the ground, giving us a little glimpse of how far they reach.

This park is more primly presented than the one closer to home; it's a nice place to come for a change of scenery, even if it does take a right bloody trek to get up 'ere. That said, I find the park nearer to home to be more 'relatable', especially in the rewilded areas. It feels more down-to-earth and 'honest', and you get more of a view of the hills there. I do love these paths flanked by the conifers, though. The feeling of being sheltered by the trees is very pleasant.

Setting off neurotically early has its advantages, as it allows time for leisurely meandering like this, enjoying the scenery as you go. This slightly decrepit old bench here caught my eye, as did the vaguely celery-looking tree.

Heading towards the stone in the centre of the park, offering a little bit of local history...

Onto the bandstand, decorated with a fetching shade of green, and featuring some lovely lyre details just under the canopy there. We have a little bit more local history here as well, putting this bandstand to circa 1894.

It was about this time that the wind picked up, agitating the rain with it, so I decided to get a shift on. This dog was also making some serious tracks - look at him go!

Stopping to look over the footie pitch, you don't get quite as varied a view here as you do in other parts of town, with an array of buildings and rising hills in the distance, but you can see some of the structures in the town centre from here.

And to finish with, here's one last picture from the way home, after going under the railway heading out of town towards Stockport and Manchester, and a bridge which is apparently the bloody murder capital of the world but I've been under there countless times and sod all has ever actually happened (although reportedly at one point, someone was under there handing out bacon baps to promote a nearby caff), so make of that what you will.

That's all the photos for today, it's time to get ready for bed, and on that note, have a lovely evening, everyone.