Along the way I passed through Castlefield, situated on the Bridgewater canal. Opened in 1761, the Bridgewater Canal was the first canal in Britain to be built without following an existing watercourse. The Bridgewater Canal revolutionised transport in England and was the catalyst for the industrial revolution. It is hard to imagine now, as there is only the odd leisure boat on the canal, and the brick warehouses lining the canals have been converted into offices, apartments and bars.
Castlefield & Bridgewater Canal
The structure in the centre of photo below is what remains of Grocers' Warehouse, originally a 5-storey brick building built in the 18th century. The arches are the entrances to tunnels dug into the cliff face, which allowed barges to travel beneath the warehouse. Water-wheel powered hoists would then lift goods from the canal up to the street above. An ingenious piece of engineering.
There are some nice pubs in Manchester
Deansgate, one of the main shopping thoroughfares
St Annes Square, a more tranquil part of the city centre
Exchange Square (complete with giant Ferris wheel)
Marian and I had earlier had a ride on the Ferris wheel back on 9 July
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