Night was drawing in when I took this photo of the trees and street lights in Albert Square, Manchester, dressed in red lanterns to celebrate Chinese New Year.
The auspicious colour did seem to have mystical properties, glowing even in the dusk as the lanterns danced in the wintry wind.
My iPhone is so comfortable with low light that, despite the conditions, it pretty much salvaged the picture. The resolution suffers, but it’s captured my impressions of being there and added an otherworldliness.
The Year of the Monkey starts today, 8th February 2016, and lasts until 27th January 2017. I’m sharing this picture to wish you happiness and prosperity.
Susan Rushton 
Thank you! Beautiful sentiments, beautiful photograph!
Happy New Year!!! 😀
Happy New Monkey Year to you ………..let’s hope it’s a great one.
Happy New Year to you too. It would be good to live in a community where Chinese New Year gets positively celebrated. One Chinese take away is not quite enough!
Thanks! Manchester is a truly multicultural city – you’ll find almost every nationality of food on offer if you know where to look for it. Assuming food can have a nationality, that is!
I used to love Manchester when I was a student there. It’s so much changed I can no longer find my way around. I need to become reacquainted.
Love the little red lanterns. iPhone cameras are great in so many situations.
I had my old Canon G11 with me and the difference was striking.