Birmingham and Manchester are both sprawling British cities, both famed for their influence during the Industrial Revolution.

While I had a poor first impression of Birmingham, I liked Manchester right off the train.

The first thing I saw was this tribute to the wounded of WW I.

War is Hell.

 Manchester acquired the nickname Cottonopolis during the early 19th century owing to a massive number of textile factories.

The Science and Industry Museum does a terrific job explaining the city legacy.

 John Rylands (7 February 1801 – 11 December 1888) was the owner of the largest textile manufacturing concern in the United Kingdom, and Manchester‘s first multi-millionaire.

The John Rylands Library, which opened to the public in 1900, was founded by Enriqueta Augustina Rylands in memory of her husband.

A tourist attraction today, it reminded me more of a Cathedral than library.

End of October, the best foliage I saw was at the University of Manchester.

To move coal and goods, canals were built across the nation. And it was walking those canals that I most enjoyed as a tourist in 2022.

I stayed at a hostel on Potato Wharf where narrowboats are stored and travellers moor. Warren Long and family once parked here for 2 nights in a rented narrowboat.

I’d return to Manchester anytime.