The Crusader

Spent a very enjoyable morning taking my mum on a drive around Manchester where she grew up. This included a quick visit to the site around the preserved ruins of the bombed-out St Augustine's RC Church at All Saints, where mum as a 9 year old got evacuated from her gran's devastated home and shop during Manchester's Christmas Blitz on 23 December 1940. She often tells the story of her worry of Father Christmas not knowing she was being rushed to stay with nearby family in Withington; and her terror that the very kind stranger who had given her, her mum and her gran a lift that terrible night, was an enemy spy abducting them. Unimaginable for those of us with our safe little lives.

We then went for a stroll around Salford Quays to see the new MediaCityUk complex and piazza. All very pretty but amazingly empty of people and any real activity.

The wander also involved a brief detour to show mum the Imperial War Museum North, before heading for some lunch. The building was designed by Daniel Libeskind and was based on his concept of clustered shards of a shattered globe. This shot is a picture inside of the suspended US Harrier Jump Jet, with the artwork The Crusader by Gerry Judah in the background. Don't know much about Crusader, but the link is a great way to find out.

Outside afterwards, we got approached by charming 75 year old veteran Albert who told us all about his army regiment's role trying to resist the Greek-Cypriot uprising in Cyprus of 1955. One of those small wars you don't get taught about; and another final nail in the coffin of British Empire; but I was really glad he made the effort to approach us and tell his tale.

Definitely need to visit IWM North again when I have more time (but should also make the time). Stupidly forgot that this is all free.