2023 TRIP to MANCHESTER and the NORTH WEST

Monday 5th June

It was disappointing to realise that two members of TRASH were now in long term storage and unlikely to travel with us in the future. For this trip three members were unable to make it due to
temporary repairs but should be available in the future.

The day started well as drivers strikes, a few days before we went, did not prevent the trains we were booked on from running on time. Fine weather augured well for the whole 5 days. Steve was asleep early on before we were halfway to Leeds but what’s new!!

Obtaining the North
West rover ticket did not prove a problem and so travel to Manchester was uneventful. The Hotel proved more than adequate for our purpose and was close to both Piccadilly and Oxford Road stations.

Tuesday 6th June

We woke to a grey day and decided on visiting the Port Sunlight complex and the Crosby coastline to
Southport. This went well except very few facilities were open at Port Sunlight, should have gone on a different day. We did have some light entertainment on the train there when two ladies of the night were looking for daytime business in Rock Ferry!!! This was a close one for Chris but Malcolm put us right, how did he know what they were!!! All they got was the train guard booking them with penalty fares for not having tickets.

We wanted to use the Mersey ferry to get to the other side for a train to Southport but guess what that was not running either. Eventually, we made a connection with the Southport train and the sun
appeared as well. Headed for Southport Pier only to find that was closed as well!!! On return we got off the train to walk Crosby beach and see the Gormley statues. Fortunately they had not moved or run away from us. Pictures taken and before returning to Manchester we had a Tapas meal near
to Lime Street station.

Wednesday 7th June

Today the group split with Mike going to Leeds then via the Carlisle & Settle line to Carlisle then round the Cumbrian coast to Barrow and finally back to Manchester in time for the evening meal.

Three went to Leeds then to Keighley for the Worth valley railway. Diesel hauled as the steam engine had broken down and even the exhibition hall was closed but eventually “bunked”. But a fine time was had in Howarth reliving memories of an old girlfriend over a drink at the pub.

Everyone met back at the hotel before going for a very good Indian meal, but not at the original recommended one which was fully booked.

Thursday 8th June

Again a split in the group with some visiting the National Football Museum, which was open, and just
seeing places around central Manchester. Others visited the Castlefield bridges around the canal docks and basin in Deansgate. Also a visit to the Castlefield National Trust garden being renovated
on an old railway viaduct which went into Manchester Central station now closed. This was shown by a M Portillo program and recommended. An out and back visit to Hebden Bridge was also taken which included a 25 min stop outside Rochdale for a points failure. An ice cream and looking for new trainers for Steve were a highlight!

For our final meal in Manchester we went Chinese in Chinatown. This replaced our traditional Fish &
Chips which was not available in a restaurant with a licence for alcohol.

Friday 9th June

Again we split so that some chilled out while others revisited places they liked. The journey back to London Euston went well with a final meal together in London.

Dates and places for next year to be decided.