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WE CONTINUE WITH MORE VIEWS FROM TRAFFORD WHARF and then cross the footbridge to the Lowry.

THE MANCHESTER SHIP CANAL CRUISE operates during the summer months between Liverpool Pier Head and Salford Quays. Here, MV Mountwood is passing the Lowry after its six hour journey along the Manchester Ship Canal from Liverpool. The cruise is operated by Wirral-based Mersey Ferries.

EWM says: The Ship Canal Cruise is well worth the money! I should know I've been on its twice so far!

MV MOUNTWOOD is completing the final stages of the Manchester Ship Canal Cruise. After passing Eccles and the Cerestar plant Trafford Park (top) and entering Salford Quays via Mode Wheel Locks (centre left), the vessel ties up on the waterfront at Salford Quays. The warship on the right is HMS Middleton, currently on an official visit to Manchester.

EWM says: The rounded design of ferry with its red white and black colours has a timeless appeal, like the trio of computer-ships on the BBC childrens programme 'Tellytubbies'.

WS SEVERN made an appearance in Salford Quays on 16th of April 2002. The ship is a familiar sight up and down the canal. Here it is carrying out routine dredging operations in this, the widest part of the former Docks.

EWM says: In my opinion there are not enough boats on the canal and in Salford Quays. There ought to be regular water taxis between the city centre, the Quays and points further down the canal. I understand this idea is being looked at.

WE ARE CROSSING THE LOWRY FOOTBRIDGE from the Borough of Trafford into the City of Salford. The scene is dominated by the arc of the bridge and the cables which support the walkway.

EWM says: The Lowry bridge has become a local landmark. You can see it in the opening sequence of the BBC1 local TV magazine Northwest Tonight, on album covers and in countless publicity brochures.

WE ARE ON THE LOWRY FOOTBRIDGE LOOKING TOWARDS TRAFFORD ROAD BRIDGE. The tour boat is heading back towards Manchester city centre.

EWM says: Amazing to think that the stretch of water in front of us is mostly man-made. The original course of the river ran along Trafford Wharf to the right.

THE IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM NORTH occupies a prominent location next to the Manchester Ship Canal. The landmark Air Shard with its outline shaped like an irregular rectangle, can be seen from many miles away on a north east south west angle. From other angles it is partially hidden by the Rank Hovis facility behind.

EWM says: It's a shame the museum isn't on a bigger scale and located clear of other buildings, so we can see the full outline. Use the rollover to see how it would look without the building behind.

THE IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM NORTH is here reflected in the water of the canal, and silhouetted against a dusk sky on the afternoon of Christmas Day 2002. The rectangular chimney-like outline on the left belongs to the Rank Hovis facility behind. Our viewpoint is in front of the Lowry, looking across from Salford Quays to Trafford Wharf.

EWM says: Seeing this building for the first time you wouldn't be able to make sense of the shape. The only thing it might resemble would be a weirdly-shaped submarine.

THE LOWRY was officially opened on 28th April 2000. It's an arts centre with theatres, galleries, interactive exhibits, restaurants and educational facilities. It was designed by architect Michael Wilford.

EWM says: With its reflective metal, orange highlighs and grilles, the building has something of the quality of an insect exterminator, the kind you see in butchers shops. Some people criticise the building because of its plethora of confused and confusing references, but that's exactly why I like it!

LOOKING AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE from the north, we see the some of the metallic forms, shapes and crazy angles which go to make up the Lowry arts centre Salford Quays. On the left is Victoria Pint apartment building. An airship floats high above Trafford Park. It is providing broadcast coverage of a match in progress at Old Trafford.

EWM says: Some of the verticals here are leaning towards the centre of the picture. The cylindrical tower on the right is actually vertical - it appears to lean due to the effect of the wide angle lens.

THE LOWRY exterior is all metal and glass with a cylindrical shaped latticework tower. Over the main entrance supported on triangular legs there is a canopy with a curved underside and a flat, sloping top. The building has been designed to fit into a triangular site with water on two sides.

EWM says: In the architects visualisations of the building, there were lighting displays mounted on the top of the cylinder, with laser beams shining out of it. Installing these lights would turn the tower into a nighttime landmark. At the moment it has an unfinished look about it.

WE ARE LOOKING FROM THE CAUSEWAY next to the Lowry towards the Anchorage, a development of office and residential buildings situated at the north east end of the basin. Straight ahead is the Detroit swing bridge, formerly located near Trafford Road Bridge. It provides a pedestrian link across the water.

EWM says: Only smaller vessels can enter the dock today, as the north west end has been permanently closed off.

All photos and articles ©Aidan O'Rourke

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