Manchester, North Quarter, springtime

In Manchester a fortnight ago to catch a flight, I took a detour off the main drag and found myself in the 'North Quarter', an area which has had a cultural renaissance in recent years. The spring light was lovely, and did interesting things to the collection of buildings -- some grand, some ramshackle -- in the area. And the city's emphasis on music, fashion and food was everywhere in evidence .

 This was taken in a back street near Piccadilly Station -- so not strictly in the North Quarter -- but I liked how old and new and light and dark worked together here.

Sachas 'Art Deco' style Hotel (it doesn't seem to get great reviews), in the 'heart' of the North Quarter. The shadows are interesting here, too. I toyed with saving the picture in black and white but then you wouldn't have seen the lovely gold and red features.

This is 'North Tea Power' cafe in the North Quarter. Love the name; love the blossom. And they serve tea in cafetieres...

One of the main streets in the North Quarter. I love the juxtaposition of old shop fronts, building numbers, street signs and new frontages for vintage and record shops. The colours really 'pop' too.

Someone got there first! A proper photographer takes a photograph of Piccadilly Records, North Quarter.