Theme Parks

Sometimes people visit Manchester from other countries. What better way to keep these foreign visitors happy than to take them to theme parks and to go on a few rides?

Windmillin'

Two posts within 24 hours? I'm spoiling you.

Rhyl Flats is a huge offshore windfarm.

The base of operations is Mostyn Docks.

These windmill blades are huge, incredibly light, and amplify the tiniest of sounds to deafening levels.

One does not simply walk into live dockyards.

Local History

When you live in Manchester and immerse yourself in that city's rich industrial history, it's easy to overlook the rich history of the town where you grew up.

From the 1790s onwards, copper production was tha shiznit in Holywell, Flintshire. Thomas Williams developed Greenfield valley to reach this end.

Holywell copper was used to line the hull of Nelson's HMS Victory. The copper produced here was also used to make shackles on slave ships. Something, unfortunately, I'm sure a large number of Holywell's citizens would be proud of today.

Before Boulton and Watt's steam engine became the catalyst for industrial explosion in the 19th century, running water was the necessary tool used to power industry. Greenfield valley has a high number of hidden, tiny culverts which are truly ancient in terms of industry. These stone-built passageways are tiny and have a low flow of crystal clear water.

There's a lot more here that I'm yet to explore here, but this is the starting point.

Railway stylin'

Run on tracks.

Supercharged

When you move house, sometimes you have to go into the drains that are 100 yards from your new place.

Castlefield Viaduct 2011

Sometimes it's nice to see the same places again.

Cathedral Steps

For about 24 hours, this "holy grail" of Manchester exploring was so easy to access every n00b from all over the country was driving up to follow the tourist trail, only to learn that the builders developing the site got wise to things and locked it up tight. Better luck next time eh?!