Manchester Pride 2012

 The Manchester Pride parade has become a mother and son tradition. Cassius has attended the parade every year since we happened on it by accident when he was four. At first it was a family thing, and Gary came too. But then one year Gary was busy, and I had the parade and Cassius to myself. Now, I wont let ANYONE (not even Gary) come to the parade with us. It is sacred time for me and my son. Time when I get to stand with him and be proud of the tolerant young man he is growing up to be. Proud of the City that I think of as home, as it accepts my wonderful gender non-conformist son. Proud that he can stand with his "Pride" teddy-bear, and not feel self-concious, actually wave that bear proudly and unashamedly. And watch that bear's waves returned with smiles. My eleven year old son, can let go of the prejudice that often surrounds him, let go of the shackles of being a "real boy" and be himself. And he is applauded, and welcomed with open arms into our community. This is what the Pride parade means to me. This is why I get emotional every year. As I watch my people walk with heads held high, with defiance and love.

Each year Pride makes me proud to be British. To live in a country that accepts LGBT people, that allows them the same legal protections as straight people, and even allows them the same rights to legal marriage (albeit under a different name). I watch as policemen and women, firemen and women, nurses, doctors, teachers, students and all manner of other people, walk through Manchester city centre to show solidarity and tolerance. This is my city, my country, my home, and each year at this Parade I remember why I love it so!

 I took far too many pictures, and struggled to even trim it down to those I'm going to include in this post. But I wont apologise for that, because there were so many pictures that captured all of the things I've tried to say above. So here they are, the pictures that tell the story of this years Manchester Pride Parade.

The theme for the Parade this year was "Queer'd Science", which made the science geek in me very happy! 

Even our "Conservative" party support LGBT rights. Told you, I'm proud to be British!

C

xxxxx

Bala (or working by the lake)

So last weekend we had planned to go to the Midland Country Fair as a family, but things changed and for various reasons we decided to head to Bala instead. Cassius is a water child, he loves being in or around or on-top-of water, and Gary and I had been meaning to take him to Bala in North Wales for quite some time. So early (ish) on Saturday morning we packed a picnic, ourselves and the dog into the car and headed off.

Now, I do not like the water. I am a terrible swimmer, and I don't like to get wet. I like looking at water, and have been known to paddle now and then. But I had no intention of getting in a Canoe. So I packed my laptop and some work, thinking that there are worse places in the world to work than by the side of the lake in Bala.

When we arrived it was warm but overcast and hazy. Since I'd also packed my camera I took some pictures of the lakeside.

 The boys headed off to sort out Canoe hire and life vests.....

 And then headed down to the water with their chosen vessel.....

 Meanwhile, I set up my outdoor "desk" with Luke to keep me company.....

I had a very productive hour or so, sat in the fresh air, with the sounds of people enjoying themselves. I know it probably makes me seem even more of a geek, but sitting there working on my "science stuff" I found my bliss. 

When I'd finished what I was working on, I managed to catch some pictures of the boys in their boat. 

Notice how Cassius is doing all of the "over-seeing" and none of the rowing! ;)

When the hour rental was up, Gary brought the Canoe back, I packed up my work stuff, and we set up the picnic blanket right by the lake. Considering this was a nice, if overcast day, and by that time it was early afternoon, the number of people by the lake wasn't too bad. There was plenty of space.

After rescuing Luke from Cassius almost drowning him (long story), Gary and I settled down on the blanket and Cas played in the water. First with some new friends.....

And then on his own.......

All of that must have tired him out, because for the first time in years, he fell asleep in the car on the way home!

All in all, it was a great day and I think we'll be spending more time by the lake in Bala soon.

C
xxx