A big shout out to

[Helen_Highwater]

Gill (Gillathome). She surprised Debs and I with a late appearance in Manchester yesterday (15th).

Debs and I had spent the afternoon initially wig shopping for Debs, her new lace front wig looks gorgeous on her, followed by a trip to Traffird retail Park before heading back to Deb's hotel which was where Gill was also staying.

Gill initially joined us in the bar but in drab. We chatted, hatched a plan for the evening, Gill went off to get changed, Deb's went to freshen up a few minutes later and upon her return I used Deb's room to change and freshen my makeup to.

When I gat back to the bar Gill was there enfemme and OMG what a transformation!! For someone venturing out into busy public spaces for the first time she looked like a million dollars. So, so impressed.

So off to a pub called Vue as they do food and yours truly needed fuelling but it was noisy, drag act on later, so we headed off to find a quieter pub. Molly's ( The Molly house) provided us with a safe haven and the three of us chatted away till closing time.

23:00 I did my Cinderella act and headed off on my 90 minute drive back to base leaving Gill and Debs to go find somewhere for one last drink.

Huge respect to Gill as I know it was a massive step for her but she did it and came out unscathed. And, we left her planning her next trip out. Bravo that girl.

So what's stopping you from joining us next time?

[Emily in the south]

That is awesome that your friend joined you and Debs for the evening. Sounds like a fun evening you all had.

Only the atlantic stops me Helen..

Emily

[alwayshave]

Helen, Sounds like a lovely day. Good for you.

[Debs]

It was a fantastic day and night, but OMG Gill looked soooooooo amazing, from telling us she was a beginner at makeup etc, forget it , it was superb, she looked a million dollars, I was proud to step out with her (and Helen of course), lol. But thank you Gill for making an appearance, the girl did well. Also a big thank you to Helen for driving all day and taking me to the Trafford centre (Mall), Thank you both for an amazing day and night.

[Helen_Highwater]

I want to mention a little incident that occurred as we went to enter Molley's. The door is set back and dark and as we arrived there were two guys locked in a passionate kiss blocking the doorway, it is the Gay village after all. They were so engrossed they didn't noticed our approach.

"Oh, come on you two, go get a room" and other light hearted jibes were exchanged and all taken in good spirit.

Why mention this? Well for me it demonstrated what an open and accepting society looks like. One were judgement doesn't exist. Inside we were addressed as ladies, our presence being as natural as daylight.

So for anyone else in the UK lookng for that safe place to step out, Manchester's gay Village is about as good as it gets.

An alternative is Blackpool but Debs is the authority on that and I know she'd happily act as guide and chaperone to anyone who wants to go there.

[kimdl93]

About 3,850 miles in my case. Someday, I plan to visit Northern Europe. Perhaps a trip to Manchester will be added to the itinerary!

[gillathome]

And, of course, I really have to thank Helen and Debs for arranging this.

I joined at the last minute, because I nearly didn't go... Even then, a big step was actually made of several small steps - I could have stayed in my room, or just visited the hotel bar and quickly ran back, but Debs and Helen were so down to earth, accepting and encouraging that it was easy to just follow them...

This was the only chance I could see where I could wear my fancy new dress, so I did try to glam it up a bit - I think it is the best I have ever looked, and I got lots of nice words from Debs and Helen. It was also really nice to just chat about places to go, clothes and makeup etc. - conversations that I wouldn't normally be able to have with anyone.
Being out in Manchester with these two was very easy, although it still feels a bit surreal that I actually did it...

Thanks again - I would never have been able to do this without the offer on the forum.

[char GG]

Congratulations on your outing, Gill. Now you may have to change your name to "Gill-out and about". It was great of Helen and Debs to be "wing girls".

[docrobbysherry]

The $1,500+/- airfare!:sad:

[Debs]

Get your wallet out Doc !!!!, lol

[Helen_Highwater]

And, of course, I really have to thank Helen and Debs for arranging this.


Being out in Manchester with these two was very easy, although it still feels a bit surreal that I actually did it...

Thanks again - I would never have been able to do this without the offer on the forum.

Perhaps we could get ratings on Trip Advisor??