Reunions

   This weekend has been so so lovely as I finally had some reunions with home friends in and around Manchester! My friend Jess has gone to university in Lancaster, so after ages trying to decide on a date to see one another, we finally decided that on Friday I'd go up to visit her and she'd show me around Lancaster! Then, rather spontaneously, my friend Beth, who's doing her Masters in Liverpool, agreed to come and visit me in Manchester yesterday so I could take her on a tour of my favourite places!

Friday 24th October - Lancaster
   It's pretty crazy to think I haven't seen Jess before now, seeing as we're living so close to one another, but we've both needed time to settle in and adjust to university life, so it was probably for the best. Having never been to Lancaster I was really excited for Jess to give me a tour, as I can tell by texting her just how much she loves it there and how perfectly suited to her it is!
   After several delayed and cancelled trains I finally got into Lancaster station at 5:35pm, giving us 5 hours to go on a tour and grab some food and have a catchup before I needed to get my train back to Manchester Piccadilly. I didn't really know what to expect, but I definitely was not disappointed. It's so beautiful and picturesque with its old fashioned walkways and cobbled streets, I can see why Jess loves it so much! Despite it being dark I felt so safe walking around as everywhere was well lit and everyone we walked past would smile and say hello, it was all just so welcoming!
   Jess gave me a tour of her favourite points as we headed towards her campus, before she gave me a tour round there. It's safe to say I'm pretty jealous of her campus as it's all so close together and practical, compared to ours where everything is spread out! It really seemed like a home from home, it was a proper little community, and once again, everyone seemed so friendly and welcoming. We decided to have dinner in one of the student bars, and the prices were dirt cheap for such good quality food! We both opted for a BBQ chicken wrap and cheesy nachos, although the nachos were definitely more of a main course rather than a side! Over food we had a major catchup, and although it was bizarre seeing someone from home not at home, it was so lovely to catchup and tell each other all about our university experiences.
   Afterwards we went into Lancaster and stopped off at a few bars for a drink. We went to a Tiki bar which had an upstairs balcony which was so pretty by night with its fairy lights! Then we went to a good old Weatherspoon's as you honestly can't beat the atmosphere in them and it felt just like being back in The Earl in Kettering! Time completely flew by and it was such a shame to have to leave, but it's definitely made me even more excited for when Jess comes to visit me in Manchester. I definitely need to do some more exploring in Salford and Manchester though, Jess knew so many places to go and I don't really know that many yet! After an incredibly long and tiring week I definitely needed to see someone from home, and being taken on a tour of a new place was the perfect end to it.

Saturday 25th October - Manchester with a wannabe Scouser
   So, I got back to my accommodation at 11:50pm on Friday evening, and had to be up at 7:30am to be at the train station to meet Beth at 10:30am (it takes around an hour to get to the station depending on the traffic). However, despite being tired I had an amazing time on Friday, and I knew that Saturday was going to be an amazing day too.
   On the way to the station I had to plan what to do with Beth, as I don't really know Salford and Manchester as well as I should, therefore I opted for my go to place, the Arndale Centre. Shopping, food and a catchup - it can't really get much better than that! Beth agreed that it sounded like a good idea, and so that was our plan for the day! However, we were both starving as neither of us had had time for breakfast, so before we hit the shops we headed to Cafe Rouge for Eggs Benedict and to start our catchup, as we had a lottttt to catchup on!
   I love shopping, and I love helping other people shop, so it was a laugh helping each other pick out items and getting each other's opinions on things. We managed to get the majority of our things in the sale, so we were being good students technically! Plus, we did both think about whether or not we really needed our items, so I'd say we were pretty sensible! About an hour in we were already knackered, so we stopped off at MooBee, somewhere neither of us have ever been, who specialise in bubble tea, which neither of us have ever had! We were intrigued and thought we'd give it a go. Beth opted for Mango and Passionfruit with Lychee popping balls, whilst I went for Peach with Passionfruit popping balls, it's safe to say that we both loved them! They're a bizarre idea but so so good, I'll definitely be going again soon!
   Afterwards we continued shopping before having a Starbucks break as we were both exhausted! It's crazy how much shopping takes it out of you! It was honestly the loveliest day, and we've agreed to see each other again soon, as once again it went so fast and I didn't want to leave! I'll go up to Liverpool next time though and let Beth give me a tour!

   This weekend has just been so perfect, I was feeling a bit homesick so I really really needed it! It's proved to me how important it is to stay in contact with home friends, because it'd be silly to lose them after such long friendships!