But before getting into that, we filled her last days in Texas with fun and games. The games were Pete's latest Soccer Shots graduation (they have a lot of these) where I dragged Charity along to watch a bunch of 5-yr-olds kick a ball around, reminding her how many times I'd been dragged to watch her do similar things. Then we were able to fit in one more major cultural event, which was Spatial Chromointerference by Carlos Cruz-Diez. It was underground, and I mean that literally rather than in some cool, teenage way; lots of flashing lights inside a disused cistern by Buffalo Bayou. It was...interesting.
There was only time to fit in a few more meals before we got on the flight to Manchester, bizarrely operated by Singapore Air. It goes on to Singapore afterwards, and though I was tempted to stow away in an overhead locker I stepped off with the rest of the party.
We enjoyed the usual warm welcome at immigration, where we were asked to prove that we weren't kidnapping our Goddaughter. "But we're bringing her home!" cried Hannah, while Charity calmly produced a letter from her mother. Perhaps the immigration officer sensed we weren't happy saying goodbye but we had to, on a rainy Manchester train platform, leaving her to head north while we drove south. More on that later.
A hot chocolate at my favourite coffee shop.
So you want to be a doctor? Have you maybe considered an alternative career...?
Working 9-to-5.
And a little more work.
City girl.
Ready to go underground.
Taste the rainbow.
Just stand still!
Shadows.
And...more light and shadows.
Final selfie.
Celebrating an excellent visit.
Ready for a nine hour flight.
Welcome to Manchester!
And goodbye Charity :(
