Leaving the Leeds & Liverpool Canal behind us, we cruised along the Bridgewater Canal. The canal has no locks or lift or swing bridges, and goes through some of the more industrial areas around Manchester.
For a fair stretch of the way, The Bridgewater Canal runs parallel to the Manchester Ship Canal. The Manchester Ship Canal is still an important waterway for commercial traffic. Unlike the majority of British canals, the Manchester Ship Canal was never nationalised, and since 1993 the Ship Canal has been owned by Peel Holdings, who also own the Port of Liverpool. The Ship canal is used to bring freight through to the distribution centre at the Port of Salford (on the out skirts of Manchester).
Just some of the freight containers seen from the Bridgewater Canal
Whilst it is possible for a narrowboat to cruise the Manchester Ship Canal, it is not a waterway we have any desire to cruise due to the ships that cruise it and the inevitable wash that could drown us. But for those daring enough to go onto the Manchester Ship Canal, access from the Bridgewater Canal to the Ship canal via Pomona Lock (below).
Also running along side the Manchester Ship Canal and the Bridgewater Canal is the Manchester Metro.
On the other side of the Bridgewater Canal the landscape is dominated by Trafford Park - Manchester United's football stadium.
Before long we were approaching the Castlefield Basin, passing the old warehouses now converted to offices and appartments.
As we reached Castlefield Basin (one of the best mooring places in Manchester), the Bridgewater Canal comes to an end, marked by the start of a flight of 9 locks - "The Rochdale Nine".
Rather than start up the Rochdale 9, we went round to the right and into Castlefield Basin, for a few days in Manchester.
Whilst in Manchester we visited the Museum of Science and Industry - which was very interesting. We also found a superb patisserie,
And Tonni liked their bag . . .
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