Manchester to Bury, and no curry
The Plan was hatched a couple of weeks ago: Rick and I fancied trying out Bury’s Katsouris eatery and it seemed a good idea to incorporate a little walk into the visit.
Considering that this was early October, the weather was just glorious. Although it was slightly chilly and a little murky first thing it soon warmed up. Walking in shorts proved to have been a good choice.
The Gang of Six convened at Manchester’s Castlefield Tram stop and wandered off through the back streets of Manchester and Salford in search of the River Irwell.
We left the tarmac of Salford’s Crescent to descent to the bank of the River Irwell:
Carrying Manchester’s drinking water all the way from Thirlmere without the aid of any pumping stations, gravity does all the work.
L > R: Sue, Martin, me, John, Rick, Rob
A compulsory brief sit down was called for coffee and a piece (each!) of Martin’s (equally compulsory) rather wonderful chocolate fudge :-)
Then we carried on walking:
Dismantled railway line that once ran from Clifton Junction to Bury
One of the Irwell Sculpture Trail’s sculptures. Actually the ONLY sculpture we saw.
Onto the towpath of the disused Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal
A couple or three miles before Bury I spotted a fast walker coming up behind, it was Phil who Rick & I know from Lymm Folk Club. Phil had intended to meet us at the start of the walk but missed us by minutes. He set off, without a map and with only a vague idea of our route – and he caught us up.
What was even more surprising was that he knew t’other John. They used to run together – which is how I first met John. A small world!
Leaving the canal, we then once again followed the River Irwell – although only for a short distance. Half a mile later we arrived at our destination, Katsouris….and lunch. Most of the meals were good, Rick and I got the short straw: a tiny meal that took ages to prepare. Having checked out Trip Advisor it seems our experience was very common. That’s such a shame, the Katsouris in Manchester is really excellent.
(Late) Lunch at Katsouris, Bury
Martin, Sue and John went off home after eating. Rick, Rob, Phil and I wandered the back streets of Bury, guided by Phil, to the Trackside Bar at the Bury station of the East Lancashire Railway. It’s essential that walkers maintain a good level of hydration, so we rehydrated enthusiastically. It was good.
The Beer Menu of The Trackside Bar
Phil and Rob showing off their Tinner’s Rabbits
After a couple of beers each it was time to go home – although not for Phil, he was staying in Bury for a concert. And more beer.
We had a brilliant day out, the route was so much better than I had expected. Although the weather helped enormously, the good company was the icing on the cake. Thanks folks, we’ll plot another Curry Walk soon.
Where we went:
Around 12.8 miles with norralot of ascent.
More photographs here.
