Manchester In May 2002
	On 11th May 2002 it had been arranged that a group of us would go clubbing in Manchester in celebration of Julia's Birthday. As usual Sarah and I planned to travel up there together but, as she had plans for the Sunday, we decided that rather than book a city centre hotel we would book a room in the Knutsford Travelodge (some 30mins away from the clubs but half the price) and change there. Then drive straight home after our night out in town. However, mid week Sarah warned me that she had tonsillitis and would be unable to attend.
	I thought long and hard but decided that I would still go along as planned, even if it meant driving in and out of Manchester alone. I arrived at the travel lodge around 3pm and it was immediately apparent that my trip out later could be interesting. The car park was 500 yards from the main entrance and the walk to it was directly opposite the lorry parking area and garage.
	After checking in and grabbing a quick meal , I phoned Simone to check on the agenda for the evening. Then I go myself ready for my night out. I wore my black, white and red short sleeved top, leatherette skirt and black knee boots plus natural coloured tights. I also wore my black PVC mac.
	Leaving the hotel proved no problem - whilst I had been changing two coaches had arrived and parked in such a way that they completely shielded me from the lorry park for the walk to the car - actually I was a bit disappointed about that ! It was an interesting experience driving solo into Manchester. Luckily it was still daylight when I set off and I had been there enough times before to not get too badly lost though the one way system was a little confusing. I ended up parking at the NCP car park just outside the village, leaving me a little walk to the the Hollywood show bar's piano Bar where I was due to meet up with the rest of the girls.
	Tracey, Simone and Alison were already there and the introduced me to Val and Paul (a friend of Alison's who usually dresses but had a wardrobe problem that night). Later we were joined by Amanda and the birthday girl herself Julia Starr. The Piano Bar was fairly quiet to start with but once the pianist started to play and to sing the bar soon filled up. There were only four or five other T-girls in there. With the girls wearing quite striking outfits we did draw a bit of attention to ourselves, especially that of two RG's who insisted on having pictures taken with Alison, Simone and Tracey.
	We ended up staying there rather longer than we expected which meant there wasn't much enthusiasm for going on anywhere other than Napoleon's so that's what we did. There was the usual sort of crowd in Napoleons - lots of admirers, a few lesbians a few other T-girls. One chap attempted to 'cuddle' me but a hand placed firmly in the centre of his chest and a gentle push soon discouraged him - he did seem very unsteady on his feet and old enough to be my dad ! He was also about 5' tall so I didn't feel intimidated! He tried it on with practically every girl there actually!
	Later another guy asked me to dance but I declined - he was a bit younger (but also short - do short guys like tall girls I wonder?) but I certainly didn't want to dance with him either. I was flattered he asked though! Me and the girls did have a bit of a dance but I had stupidly taken my coat with me which was a bit of an encumbrance - in the end I found somewhere to hang it up while we had a boogie.
	With the club closing it was time for the girls to head back to their hotel and for me to head back to my car. On this walk I was accompanied by Paul as it didn't seem right for a girl to be walking around alone at 4am! The drive back to the hotel was slightly nerve wracking as they had closed the slip road off the motorway I needed to use to get to the hotel. I hadn't filled up with petrol before leaving and the tank was almost empty as I followed the diversion to the alternate entrance to the hotel. Luckily, there was just enough to get me there!
	All images are copyright ©Wendy Davies, 2002. All Rights Reserved. Any unauthorised copying or distribution of images from this site is strictly prohibited.
	Back to my Homepage Back to Diary Previous Next