Greetings from a very chilly Manchester, England. With the international charter airline Globespan flying Cape Town-Manchester direct for the summer season, I decided to book a four day trip. I managed to snaffle a soccer ticket to a Manchester United home fixture against Everton on Wednesday night. Even if you are not a soccer fan, or hate sport in general, the passion and reverence for football in these parts is startling.

I do not want to harp on Cape Town experiences while here, but the trip abroad is a welcome respite from efforts to furnish my newly purchased apartment in Three Anchor Bay. Kieck Lifestyle, the Canal Walk store, has given me more grey hair than I'd care to have at thirty-one years of age. I have to implore Berkman blog devotees to please chat to me before commissioning this store to do your furniture. Jus before I flew, I had the most fantastic facial at the Renaissance Environ Skin Care complex on Bree Street. Charnelle was the therapist concerned and she used all sorts of electric currents and potions to ensure the product really went to work.

But back to Manchester. My hotel is in a funky area of the city called Salford Quays, very close to Old Trafford football stadium. Manchester has tons of what I call chic grit. It is grimy but trendy. I have bought some cool G-Star merchandise, as well as Zara and H&M. I had champers at the Moet Cafe inside the Harvey Nichols department store, and marvelled at Paul and Joe clothing in Selfridges.The designer Dries Van Noten also has a concession in the store.

Last night I had curry in the Rusholme area. The movies East is East and Bend it like Beckham spring to mind. Fantastic food. Devotees of the rock band called Snow Patrol will be interested to know that they are currently touring this part of England. Tickets were £20, do your maths at fourteen rands to the pound.

This blog has been a bit short and follows no structure because I am rushing a few minutes online in the hotel.

Back Sunday morning. Have a good weekend.