Narrowboat Tacet

Silent Movement - Our gap year travelling the inland waterways



Tuesday 27 August 2013

Modern Manchester

After yesterday’s post showing some of the wonderful old buildings of historic Manchester, here are some of the more modern sights of the city from our walk out to the new developments of Salford Quays, known as MediaCityUK.

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Office and apartment blocks around the large basins.

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Elegant bridges spanning the water.

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Futuristic style of the Lowry arts centre,

 

 

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and the Imperial War Museum.

 

 

 

 

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The BBC has made Manchester it’s home and is being followed by ITV Granada, who are constructing a new Coronation Street set nearby.

 

 

 

The Salford Quays, at the eastern end of the Manchester Ship Canal on the site of the former Manchester Docks, has been completely altered and regenerated since the dockyards closed in 1982.

The development has brought tourism to the area with the Imperial War Museum, Lowry centre and the shopping and eating opportunities, and the 200 acres where MediaCityUK has sprung up, has created much needed employment for this previously poor and struggling part of the country. Apart from the television and radio broadcasters here, the University of Salford has a campus and the Satellite Information Service operate from here too.

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We saw people using the water for water boarding, bungee jumping over the dock from a crane, and one of the docks is open for swimming in the summer months.

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There are even a few boats here too!

 

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With a gathering of narrowboaters enjoying the sun as well.

 

 

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From the docks a walk along the River Irwell takes you back into Manchester past Pomona Lock which is the way down off the Bridgewater Canal.

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We went on a search for the entrance to the Bury and Bolton Canal.

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The lock here has been restored up to a small basin above, work is being carried out to restore more of the canal.

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And today we have enjoyed the good company of our neighbours Doug and James over lunch in the city.

P1040204Empty plates all round, full and well satisfied customers. Thanks guys.

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And another reminder of our Manchester weekend home.

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