WALKERS :- Paddy, Vic, James, John W, Anthony
Danny, Martin, Mike, Mick ,
An "Old Friend" of a walk this. The title "Matchstalk Men" does not refer to the physiques of those taking part (We wish !!) but rather to the chart topping song "Matchstalk Men" which tells of the work of L.S. Lowry and areas of Salford and Manchester through which we were to pass. Appropriately enough we began our walk in the "Lowry Outlet Centre". This large shopping Mall ALWAYS confuses us (being men ! ) and it takes us a little while to find the exit. Here we are dropping down a level in search of the way out.
"This way... Follow....erm !" Frequently lost ? Mebbe ! but never for long and we are soon back on track and on the platform of the Metro at Media City.
The last time we had travelled on the Metro had been twelve months previously so of course we had forgotten how to get the tickets. "Tec-boy" Anthony stood by to help each useless Meanderthal.
Tickets bought, we boarded the next Tram and headed for Castlefields.
The tram took us to Deansgate platform from the heights of which we could see the canal along which we were to walk.
We joined the canal just beyond the bridge you can see in the photo above. We continued along the canal to the Castlefields junction which is our accustomed coffee spot.
Mick dropping down to the Rochdale canal at the end of Deansgate
Coffee time over we retraced our steps back past the point at which joined the canal. As we made our way along the canal we spotted an unusual species of duck. "Mallardus Plasticus"
This shy species tends to hide when approached being heartily afraid of recyclers.
Towering above us, as we walked, was the impressive bulk of the Beetham Tower. which contrasted sharply with the similarly slim tower of the old brick built one on the canal bank.
The canal was making it's way through the very heart of the City of Manchester and frequently ducked down beneath it's busy streets.
Once again our walk was to be marred by the sight of large amounts of litter seen here bobbing about below the lock gates. Although some of the litter can provide amusement, in the end it is not amusing at all.
We have several musicians amongst the Meanderthals but only Martin plays the saxophone so we blamed him for this particular piece of litter !!!.
The walk continued and we passed another tunnel before leaving the canal for a short distance.
Leaving the canal we found ourselves in the middle of the colourful "Gay Village" .
Here we paused for Paddy to take a group photo in front of a pub sporting the Manchester "Busy Bee" logo.
We were soon back on the canal and it wasn't long before we had to make use of lock gate to cross over the canal. We paused on this tricky "bridge" for a photo.
once across we looked back to where we could see a lone tent which along with others we had seen earlier presumably homed one of many homeless in the district.
We carried on following the towpath of the Rochdale canal through both old and new as modern developments rubbed shoulders with buildings from the early days of the industrial revolution.
Soon after this another bridge took us across the Rochdale and onto the towpath of the Ashton canal.
Stainless steel optimistic Braggadocio
Cobbled shades of the past.
Not long after this we got our first glimpses of the modern spires of the ETIHAD stadium. The home of Manchester City F.C. Our walk was nearing it's end.
A little further on we passed under the entrance drive to the stadium and then once more crossed lock gates to the other side of the canal for the last stretch leading to the Velodrome.
All along the canal we were accompanied by the loud honking of the ubiquitous Canada Geese.
The end is nigh as the Bridge leading us once again over the canal and into the environs of the cycling fraternity hoves into sight. Here we learnt that Mike is a "Fellow Traveller". Well at least a card carrying member of the Cyclist's Union. (An activist no less.)
Over the bridge and into the Velodrome were a warm comfortable seat awaited us for lunchtime. We were somewhat amazed that we could walk unchallenged into a place were some of England's top Olympic athletes (Jason Kenny et al) were training. We later learnt that beady eyes had been upon us as we entered and we had passed inspection. (They'd remembered us from previous visits. Wow !) So we sat fascinated by the incredible athletes that flashed past in front of us.
Leaving the circular track we crossed the foyer and climbed up to watch the young cyclist racing around the BMX track. This was equally astonishing and impressive.
Once more into the open as we again recrossed the canal to walk the short distance to the Metro platform.
Here, again, we relied on Anthony to ensure that we boarded the right tram which whisked us back to our start. Not quite , in fact, as not all the trams pull into the Media city which is something of a cul-de-sac. After alighting we had a short walk over a bridge at possibly the terminal end of the Manchester Ship Canal.
The car park was now immediately in front of us and once inside we found our vehicles with most unmeanderthal like ease.
It now only remained to negotiate the always difficult Manchester evening traffic. Eventually we all arrived safely home.
THE END
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