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Ship Canal Trip |  |
Manchester Ship Canal Trip on Thursday 2nd August
To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the U3A in Britain, Glossop U3A organised a trip along the Manchester Ship Canal, from Salford Quays to Liverpool. Members from the Pennine Link groups were invited and nine members from High Lane joined the large party.
After journeying from Glossop, we boarded the Mersey Ferry ‘Snowdrop’ and started our splendid 35 mile cruise, with commentary by an excellent blue badge guide who was extremely knowledgeable and entertaining. The weather remained fine and was mainly warm and sunny throughout the day.
We passed under many wonderful bridges, both old and new,
and a few of
us were surprised by the long stretches of pleasant,
green
countryside. The canal supports a variety of birdlife. We saw lots of herons, ducks, swans, some
sandpipers and also a couple of kingfishers, demonstrating how clean
the waters have become. Several buzzards and kestrels were seen
overhead.
At the fifth and final lock, completing its 60 ft. drop from Manchester, the canal entered the Mersey estuary. Across the water, in the distance, the City of Liverpool came into view and soon the two Cathedrals and the impressive new skyscrapers were also in sight along with the very striking, almost completed, Arena and Convention Centre. Much demolition and construction work was evident as Liverpool prepares to become European City of Culture in 2008.
Disembarking at the Pier Head, nearly six hours after leaving Salford
Quays, the group had nearly thr
ee hours to explore. Most of
us headed to the Albert Dock, pausing to gaze at the
magnificent ‘Liver‘,
‘Cunard’ and ‘Port of
Liverpool’ buildings (known as the Three Graces).
The Maritime Museum and the Tate Gallery with their various exhibitions were popular destinations.
Departing on our coaches at 6.50 pm, we arrived back in Glossop 75 minutes later, having had a truly memorable trip, for which we owe Tess and Peter Fish of Glossop U3A a huge vote of thanks.
Mike and Margaret Snape
To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the U3A in Britain, Glossop U3A organised a trip along the Manchester Ship Canal, from Salford Quays to Liverpool. Members from the Pennine Link groups were invited and nine members from High Lane joined the large party.
After journeying from Glossop, we boarded the Mersey Ferry ‘Snowdrop’ and started our splendid 35 mile cruise, with commentary by an excellent blue badge guide who was extremely knowledgeable and entertaining. The weather remained fine and was mainly warm and sunny throughout the day.
We sailed by industrial sites, including Trafford Park, Fiddlers Ferry
Power Station and the vast Stanlow Oil Refinery giving us a visible insight into the
l9th and 20th century development of the cotton, coal and power industries of the
North West which created the wealth of the area.
We passed under many wonderful bridges, both old and new,
green
countryside. The canal supports a variety of birdlife. We saw lots of herons, ducks, swans, some
sandpipers and also a couple of kingfishers, demonstrating how clean
the waters have become. Several buzzards and kestrels were seen
overhead.At the fifth and final lock, completing its 60 ft. drop from Manchester, the canal entered the Mersey estuary. Across the water, in the distance, the City of Liverpool came into view and soon the two Cathedrals and the impressive new skyscrapers were also in sight along with the very striking, almost completed, Arena and Convention Centre. Much demolition and construction work was evident as Liverpool prepares to become European City of Culture in 2008.
ee hours to explore. Most of
us headed to the Albert Dock, pausing to gaze at the
magnificent ‘Liver‘,
‘Cunard’ and ‘Port of
Liverpool’ buildings (known as the Three Graces).The Maritime Museum and the Tate Gallery with their various exhibitions were popular destinations.
Departing on our coaches at 6.50 pm, we arrived back in Glossop 75 minutes later, having had a truly memorable trip, for which we owe Tess and Peter Fish of Glossop U3A a huge vote of thanks.
Mike and Margaret Snape
Pictures by kind permission of Pam Bond, Glossop U3A
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