Click on the pictures to enlarge them.
Manchester is a former cotton and coal city that has seen quite a change over the last 10 years. Aside from Old Trafford, all of the buildings in and around the stadium have been constructed over the last decade. Apartments, shopping areas, hotels, and other businesses fill the former dock areas along the canal leading from the North Sea. Today, not a ship is to be seen, but the newness of the commercial development is evident everywhere.
Kaylee and I went back to Old Trafford to tour the museum and take a few more pictures. It is amazing how many people visit this facility everyday...regardless of whether or not it is a game day. Manchester United is the wealthiest sporting team in the world and after witnessing the throngs of people that flock to this place, it is no wonder. The museum features an enormous trophy case that holds all of United's treasures. There are also numerous mini-documentaries and displays for the major players in United's history. Among the former United greats is George Best (Mom will remember Georgie Best). I watched George Best play when I was a young man when he played for the Los Angeles Aztecs in the mid-1970's. George passed away in 2005 due to complications from alcohol abuse. Another famous United player how is still on the roster is Ryan Giggs. Giggs has registered 830+ games for United and has the longest tenure of any player in United's history.
After our visit to Old Trafford, our driver took Kaylee and I to a wonderful shopping mall called The Trafford Center. Built in 1998, this is one of the largest malls in all of Europe. I have to say, it was one of the nicest malls I've ever seen. Filled with shops and eating establishments, it covers more area than any mall we have in Colorado and in fact, makes the malls in Colorado look like slums. When you enter the Trafford Center, you are greeted by an enormous marble staircase that leads to upper level shops and dining. What was amazing to me were the numerous open air cafe's that dotted the perimeter of the mall entrance where you could order a coffee, a glass of wine, a pint of Guiness, or a mixed drink. Alcohol consumption is much more open here than in the US and seems to be much more the norm. Of course we had to indulge in some real fish and chips at the Trafford Tavern and then walked the mall. Many of the shops were closed since it was Easter Sunday, but you wouldn’t know it from the number of people in the mall.
Another interesting site was that of the indoor ski area that has recently been built in Manchester. As with the mall, the ski area was closed, but we took this picture from the motorway. As our driver explained, they don't get much snow in Manchester, although this winter brought the most snow they've had in 30 years.
I also wanted to tell you about our driver, Nick. Nick has lived in Manchester all of his life and was a wonderful guide. His father was a Spitfire pilot during WWII and flew in and out of Manchester defending the city and England against the German attacks. Nick knew much about the city and was a gracious guide. After picking us up from Trafford Center, he took us on an impromptu tour of Worsley, the area near our hotel. The side streets were filled with beautiful brick houses many of which were over 100 years old. One of the neighborhoods even had it’s own butcher shop; something we don’t see in the US much. Many of the homes still had thatched roofs. Among the homes Nick took us to was that of none other than United's own Ryan Giggs. Giggs' home is spectacular and overlooks the Worsley Park Marriott golf course (where we are staying). It was a wonderful excursion and an opportunity to see a part of Manchester that we probably would not have seen.
Here are some additional pictures from today's adventures. We will be traveling to Edinburgh in the morning and will update you on that portion of our journey in my next update.
Until then, take care.
