(John plotting the route) 
After a reasonable night’s sleep set out to explore a slightly drizzly Manchester.  Headed first across town to the Craft and Design Centre.  Lots of artisan jewellery but I was more tempted by some ceramics – unfortunately it’s too early in the trip! But  had a half decent flat white at the cafe -flat white coffee being a rare thing over here!  Then headed back in the general direction of the city centre, exploring side streets and admiring some of the grand Victorian buildings.

After lunch at a historic Victorian pub in the centre of town (Mr Thomas’s Chop House, which had fantastic original Victorian wall and floor tiles and more real ale), it was back to the hotel, along the way doing some jobs: books for the trip – we are fundamentally paper rather than e-reader people and water bottles, then dinner at the flash restaurant in the hotel.

Next: off to St Bees to meet the group and start the walk.