For the industrial theme we found ourselves at the St Helens Canal, originally the Sankey Canal, which opened in 1757. It was the first canal to be built in England in the industrial revolution, to transport coal from Warrington to new industries on the Rivers Mersey and Weaver. The canal was officially abandoned in 1963, up til then it was still used to carry sugar from the port of Liverpool to the Sankey Sugar Company.
Four of the cooling towers of Fiddler's Ferry power station can be seen in the far distance, there are 8 altogether. It's still in use although some of it has been closed and it will shut down completely by 2020 so this landmark will eventually be demolished. The name comes from an ancient ferry route across the Mersey run by the monks at Norton Priory near Runcorn.
The other chimneys are from chemical works in Widnes.
Although it was quite a dull, grey day I liked the reflections in the canal and it was an interesting detour to see what remains of the industrial past in the area.
@snaggy