Try Something New Every Week #9

As we were up North this week, we decided to go to Salford Quays - not somewhere I have ever been before.  I wanted to see the paintings of L.S. Lowry and I wasn't disappointed - they are amazing.  You really got a sense that he was a highly skilled life artist before turning to his signature style. The Lowry is now a multi arts centre and as far from the 'satanic mills' of Lowry's painting as can be imagined - painted purple and orange inside!

The kids were all very interested too, and also in the painting of Lowry's mentor Adolphe Vallette - who also was being exhibited there.  Nice to see a painting of Church Stretton (where my grandparents used to live) among the exhibits too.

After lunch we wandered around the revamped Docklands - very smart but decidedly empty and without atmosphere.  The Imperial War Museum North is an interesting building too and there are a couple of nice bridges - definitely improved with blue sky and a bit of sunshine - and the much hyped Media City - the BBC building is a block - nothing more and we went over to see this sound sculpture thing which was supposed to be amazing - well it looked good but apparently the wind was in the wrong direction for the sound installation! Shame, but we had a nice day.