Monday, July 27, 2009

Manchester!

Some people go to the Bahamas for their holiday, some to Spain - I've gone to Manchester! Now there's nothing wrong with Manchester, (so far!) but it's not exactly my ideal holiday destination! Quite an enjoyable days cruising today as we started through Preston Brook Tunnel and then onto the Bridgewater - a whole day with only one little stop lock to worry about!
The Bridgewater is a very pleasant canal. Owned by the Manchester Ship Canal Company it is wide and easy to navigate with pleasant waterside frontages and interesting things to look at as one passes by.
Finally moored at the end of the day just before Dunham Town Bridge in time to sit down and relax.
...and yes - the observant people will notice that that is actually a sun umbrella with my father sitting under it however it must be noted that the minute I put my shorts on and went out to join him, the wind got up, the clouds gathered and threatened and it was time to go back in again - my father managed to sit out for approximately 10 minutes - I managed 0!!
We have a day in hand now as we have to meet the lock-keeper at lock 83 on the Rochdale to be escorted through at 8.30 on Thursday morning. This means we plan to stay here tomorrow and then cruise through the city of Manchester all day on Wednesday, (starting early to beat the hoodlums,) to arrive at Picadilly Basin to moor for the night on Wednesday night just before lock 83. There is a National Trust House nearby so we may go and visit that tomorrow but certainly tomorrow will be a non boating day, (cries of shock horror I hear from those who know me well!)

5 Comments:

At 6:14 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

OH and I hired a campervan the other week to explore the North East coast of England - and fantastic it was too. While we were away my son (who lives in Sheffield)phoned to ask if we were having fun and where we were - I said 'Sunderland' and he replied - "who the b***** hell goes there on their holidays"!
Julie from Berkshire

 
At 6:20 pm, Blogger Khayamanzi said...

Now I don't wish to offend anyone but I understand his sentiment! Having said that, there are some amazing places to explore and architecture to see in the most odd, remote and unlikely of places!

 
At 8:57 pm, Blogger MartYn said...

Would recommend a visit to Dunham Massey. Good food in cafe and lovely walks round the grounds- free if you're not parking,which you aint. If you fancy paying extra the house tour and gardens are worth seeing. Enjoy your day off from boating.
MartYn NB Cherokee

 
At 9:35 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Andy

We spent most of last summer around Manchester, and even left the boat for a few days in Castlefield Moorings, its a very safe city, despite the rumours.... You do need to be early to get through the Rochdale from Picadilly, due to the kids, but Manchester itself is lovely, better to moor away from the YHA in our experience, the castlefield moorings on the right handside of the Rochdale 9 are much quieter, and very pleasant, enjoy yourself.... we would love to be up their again. Nb SPIRIT

 
At 10:46 am, Blogger Khayamanzi said...

Thanks for the comments and advice NB Cherokee and Spirit. It looks like on the back of this, (and the fact that it's raining again!) a visit to the house and hopefully the gardens is in order soon! It's nice to hear the other side of the story, NB Spirit, too often people have asked where we're going followed by a sympathetic "good luck!" Tomorrow, we plan to set off at around 9.00ish and head for the Picadilly basin as we have to meet the BW man at 8.30 the following morning and don't really fancy having to get up at 5.00 to do the last 9 locks!! I'll post this evening to say how today went.

 

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