Preston

About an hour's drive from where we live, we were in Preston, Lancashire at the grandparent's house for an extended weekend. Yorkshire is the white rose county, and Lancashire the red rose. I pretty much prefer Yorkshire, with the characteristic stone cottages, drystone walls, and rolling hills. Lancashire by contrast is fairly flat, with more brick than stone, and hedging instead of drystone walls. It is closer to the sea though, somewhat more mild in temperature and does have a lighter feel to it which I seemed to notice (and enjoy) this weekend.

Preston recently received 'city' status and as the next city centre from Manchester, its on its way up I guess. It's not that spectacular as a city goes, but as the home of the University of Lancashire, its not without some nice features. There's the Georgian Winkley Square, Avenham & Miller Parks which are really beautiful, and the city centre itself has lots of shopping to choose from, including the ubiquitous Starbucks addition. I have seen Preston in somewhat of a new light this weekend and have a few more posts to write and many photos to put up.