Wednesday, April 18, 2007
A new view of Manchester
After a break of eight years, we returned to Manchester over Easter, on our much-anticipated narrowboat tour. In the mid-to-late 90s, seeing a canalboat on the "Rochdale Nine" - the one-mile stretch through nine locks in central Manchester - was a rarity. This time, we'd not only see a narrowboat, but pilot one along the canals around the 100-mile Cheshire Ring.
After "walking the course" from Dukes 92 right through to Piccadilly Basin, the canal was much cleaner, with the underpasses better lit. There was still evidence of the underpasses being a hotspot for drug/alcohol abuse, but during the day the towpaths were quiet.
So off we went - the first picture is immediately after turning the boat in Castlefield Basin to face the rather daunting entrance to Dukes 92 - our first serious lock, and we felt that it looked like the Gates of Mordor.
The second picture shows us turning in Castlefield Basin - and gives an idea of the length of a 55-foot narrowboat!
More to come on the trip through the Rochdale Nine, where we battled bedsheets, beer casks and shopping trolleys.
After "walking the course" from Dukes 92 right through to Piccadilly Basin, the canal was much cleaner, with the underpasses better lit. There was still evidence of the underpasses being a hotspot for drug/alcohol abuse, but during the day the towpaths were quiet.
So off we went - the first picture is immediately after turning the boat in Castlefield Basin to face the rather daunting entrance to Dukes 92 - our first serious lock, and we felt that it looked like the Gates of Mordor.
The second picture shows us turning in Castlefield Basin - and gives an idea of the length of a 55-foot narrowboat!
More to come on the trip through the Rochdale Nine, where we battled bedsheets, beer casks and shopping trolleys.
Labels: canal holiday, Cheshire Ring, Rochdale Canal
# posted by Nesjo : 10:26
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