Stockport

2021: Six of the most memorable photos

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2021. It was marked by the peaks and troughs of Covid-19. It was the first full year that I didn’t travel abroad. But I explored closer to home and pressed on with my photography.

I’ve picked six memorable shots from the year and tell you why they’ve stayed with me. You can vote for your own favourite at the end of this post. Hello 2022, we’re looking at you…

A BEACH OF OUR OWN
Location: Heysham, Lancashire
Month: August

Beach scene at Heysham, Lancashire

This was a memorable day trip to Heysham on the Lancashire coast. Just two figures walk by the blue expanse of Morecambe Bay. The good weather and coastal scenery was a welcome break from the density of Manchester. TAP/CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS

COASTAL FURNITURE
Location: St Anne’s, Lancashire
Month: April

Fairhaven lake sluice along Lancashire's Fylde Coast

This my first trip to the seaside in 15 months due to the pandemic. This shot combines my loves of coastal landscape and architecture, with a sluice for an inland lake taking centre stage during a walk along the Fylde Coast. TAP/CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS

ESTUARY SLANT
Location: Humber Estuary, East Yorkshire
Month: August

Angled view of the Humber Bridge from the shores of the river

Travel restrictions meant a staycation mini-break to Hull was on the cards. It also included a visit to the mighty Humber Bridge, a moment of real excitement for me. Being able to walk beneath the structure was a pleasant surprise. TAP/CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS

PROMENADE
Location: Alexandra Park, Manchester
Month: January

Walkers in a wintry Alexandra Park, Manchester

Alexandra Park is a popular place for walkers here in Manchester. A spell of wintry weather the other side of the Christmas period hit when a new wave of coronavirus was in full swing. A memorable time for maybe the wrong reasons. TAP/CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS

STOCKPORT SILHOUETTE
Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester
Month: October

Sunset silhoutte of Stockport's Victorian railway viaduct

It was the end of a lovely day exploring Stockport’s old town, which didn’t fail to impress. Dusk was reaching in and the town’s magnificent railway viaduct and rooftops created a satisfying frame. Man-made and nature working together. TAP/CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS

THE ONLY WAY IS UP
Location: Deansgate Square, Manchester
Month: June

Looking up at the skyscrapers of Deansgate Square, Manchester

A place very close to home that has regularly featured in my photographs, the skyscrapers of Deansgate Square in Manchester. A public terrace was opened this year, allowing me to lie back and capture them from this perspective. A reminder of warm summer weather. TAP/CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS

Five memorable day trips to beautiful places

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A day trip is all about leaving your cares behind and enjoying some fresh air, visiting somewhere new in good company or by yourself. Here are five of my favourites – beautiful locations, photographically inspiring and memorable. Please tell me about your best days out in the comments section.

SHUGBOROUGH

Location: Staffordshire, UK

An ancestral seat set in rolling countryside with a connection to the Royal family. With extensive grounds, beautiful gardens, wondrous follies and a stately home to wander around, this is the stuff days out are made of. And I visited on a landmark birthday! TAP/CLICK IMAGE TO SEE MORE

The drawing

You will enjoy lavish interiors at Shugborough

ESSAOUIRA

Location: Morocco

An unmissable day trip of you are lucky enough to visit Morocco when coronavirus restrictions allow. This colourful, vibrant city is situated next to the wild Atlantic Ocean and in easy reach of the tourist town of Agadir from where I made my visit. It would be easy to stay here longer. TAP/CLICK IMAGE TO SEE MORE

Three elderly Moroccan men meet on a bench in Essaouira

People-watching are among Essaouira’s joys

STOCKPORT

Location: Greater Manchester, UK

This town is close to my Manchester home, but easily turned into a full day out. It’s architecturally beguiling and has an old centre which deserves a lot of exploration on foot. With added indoor attractions like the air raid shelters and hat museums, you’ve got a satisfying trip on your hands. TAP/CLICK IMAGE TO SEE MORE

A view of Stockport's old market place

Stockport gives you a dose of Victorian grandeur

FYLDE COAST

Location: Lancashire, UK

This has been a favourite day trip of mine since moving to north-west England in 2016. I like taking the train to the seaside town of St Anne’s and walking south, passing the pier, Lytham’s famous windmill and the wide open coast. Very good for the soul. TAP/CLICK IMAGE TO SEE MORE

Remains of the old pier at St Anne's, Lancashire

The Irish Sea is wide open along this coastline

JOKULSARLON

Location: Iceland

This is an unmissable trip if you visit the otherworldly island of Iceland. It’s a glacial lake which you will probably get close to on a boat trip – and even taste some of the pure, ancient ice. The black beach nearby is strewn with glacial, diamond-like chunks. It’s one sight among many to see in Iceland. TAP/CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE ICELANDIC LANDSCAPES

Glacial ice on Jokulsarlon in Iceland

This is not just any old lake

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Stockport: Discovering the Old Town

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Stockport is just a short train ride away from Manchester but it’s taken me five years to explore the historical Old Town.

It’s bristling with beautiful architecture, from the imposing St Mary’s church, an elaborate Victorian glasshouse that houses an indoor market, to the magnificent Art Deco Plaza cinema and theatre. Come and take a look… READ MORE BELOW

Tap/click first image to see gallery

The old town is made to explore on foot, although be prepared for some steep stairways and uphill sections.

It’s now made for day trippers, with independent shops to explore and cafes to enjoy. Everyday outlets are all concentrated in the cheerlessly modern Merseyway mall which is best avoided.

You should also wander down to the area where you can visit Stockport’s air raid shelters and see the hat museum’s totemic chimney. There you’ll find the 1930s splendour of the Plaza and can glimpse the town’s impressive railway viaduct.

If you think Stockport is just the rail stop before Manchester, then think again. It was a pleasure to visit and I’ll be heading there again.

Stockport town centre sign

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