15th January 5+ Miles
Walkers:- John W, John R, Anthony, Vic, Martin.
We have risen from the dead ! After last weeks graveyard shift a walk from Salford Quays proved to be full of interest. After some skillful "Traffic Management" and a bit of dizzy driving at the Quays we parked the car in the gloomy basement of the multi-storey car park at the Lowry Outlet Centre. A quick visit to some excellent "facilities" and off to catch the tram (metro). This took us to Castlefields where we dropped down to the canal and soon found a sheltered spot for our 11 o'clock coffee break. It was actually 11.30 and we had mulled wine too. Once refreshed we retraced our steps a short distance before continuing along the canal until we found the junction where the Rochdale and the Ashton canals parted company. but not before a little embarrassment. The canal was partially closed and at times it was not possible to stick to the towpath. At one point the towpath ended and the way appeared to be along a wooden walkway in front of some rather prestigious looking offices. We duly trotted along this, waving cheerfully to the "inmates" working at their desks on the other side of the windows. The walkway led up to the road. One which we could happily follow BUT the gate was locked and unclimb-able to a bunch of 70 year olds. We had to go back, once again waving but this time, weakly and sheepishly to the "watchers" at the windows. Before this, Vic, ever the optimist had tried all the keys on his keyring to see if one might open the lock, NO !
Back on track we followed the Ashton canal leading us towards the Etihad Stadium and the "Velopark" As we followed the canal it showed us many faces from the disgustingly sordid to the inspiringly magnificent with superb buildings both old and new ! Being the sad old farts that we are (some of us) we couldn;t resist a chorus or two of "Dirty Old Town" as we followed the canal through Salford,
I found my love by the gasworks croft
dreamed a dream by the old canal
Kissed my girl by the factory wall
Dirty Old Town, Dirty Old Town.
And later as we passed through Ancoats the song "Matchstalks Men and Matchstalks Cats and Dogs" somehow had to be sung...well a bit of it anyway.
"Parts of Ancoats where I used to play."
"Dirty Old time" soon gave way to sparklingly clean and modern "High Tec" sports facilities as we at last reached the ETIHAD Stadium and the Velodrome. We soon turned our backs on the overwhelming bulk of the Etihad Stadium and walked into the wonderful Velodrome. Here made our "Free" way onto very comfortable seats where we sat and ate our lunch in the warm dry main arena where we were treated to the spectacle of "Team G.B." practising on the track . THEY WERE FAST ! Lunch finished and off we go again, A quick visit to the BMX track next door whilst Mr Johnson interrogated the staff and then we left in search of a tram stop to get us back to Media City. WRONG TRAM !! It took us NEARLY to Media City but stiff-legged walk and we arrived at the Lowry Outlet Centre were we had to puzzle out just were we had parked the car. And so to home after a rather good and interesting walk. Well Done Anthony.
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Tunnel Vision
Well just lock at these two - Near Ancoats
Headline - "Garden Gnome Visits Ancoats"
Anthony in one of several smelly tunnels enroute
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