Manchester never stands still. It's a big part of what makes the city so exciting.
Cranes have dominated the skyline for decades. The CIS tower once loomed large over the streets below - now it hides beneath the giant skyscrapers that stand out for miles around.
Thrilling as the city's relentless change is, there is something really comforting about taking a step back every now and then.
The East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is happily frozen in time. Stand on the platform at Bury's Bolton Street station, and only the sight of passengers taking photos on their smartphones provides a clue that the year is 2025.
With Father's Day fast approaching (June 15 - if you need a reminder), I decided to take my dad on a day trip to one of Greater Manchester's most picturesque corners, by steam train.
Dedicated ELR volunteers run historic steam and diesel trains between Heywood and Rawtenstall throughout the year. We took the tram to Bury before getting return tickets to Ramsbottom on the ELR.
I hadn't been on the ELR since visiting one of the Thomas the Tank Engine days as a little kid. I can't remember exactly when, but it was probably in the last millennium.
Stepping into the ticket office at Bolton Street before walking down to the platform, the memories all came flooding back.
The ELR dates back to 1846 and the station is preserved to cherish that history, from the old signage and posters, to the station café and the volunteers' uniforms.
As a passenger service, it survived until 1972, following numerous cuts in the 1960s. Years of fundraising efforts and discussions between authorities led to the ELR Trust being formed in the 1980s, before it reopened as a heritage service in 1987.
Hundreds of volunteers have maintained and expanded the service in the decades since.
We travelled on Wednesday morning (June 4) when the ELR thrilled passengers of all ages - from elderly couples embarking on days out, to a group of excited nursery-age children in awe at what they saw around them.
After a 20-minute journey north, we arrived in Ramsbottom. The market town on the northern edge of Greater Manchester is one of my favourite spots to escape the bustle of the city.
We decided to grab a bite to eat before hiking the hills which surround the town. Ramsbottom boasts an array of independent shops, cafés and pubs around Bridge Street and Bolton Street.
Room 54 is a real gem, with delicious food and a warm welcome. We each had a sausage and egg barm - evidently made with fresh, quality ingredients - which was perfect for the walk ahead.
With our brunch settled we began our trek towards Holcombe Moor - heading uphill along Carr Street and Tanners Street, before tackling the infamous Rawsons Rake, with its challenging one-in-four slope.
From there, we followed Moor Road before joining the footpath up to Peel Tower. The rewards for the steep trek are all around - with stunning rolling hills and incredible views, and the booming Manchester skyline visible to the south.
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We carried on from Peel Tower - built in 1852 as a memorial to former Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel - north to Holcombe Hill.
"Where are you taking me here?!" asked my dad, as he was faced with another climb to contend with, before we carried on along the West Pennine Way - leaving Peel Tower as a speck in the distance behind us.
Eventually we reached the monument to Pilgrims' Cross - an ancient post dating back to the 12th century which mysteriously vanished. The monument is historic enough, dating back to 1902.
The stunning scenery on Holcombe Moor feels a world away from the norm in Greater Manchester, and the hike was the perfect opportunity to get fresh air, exercise and to catch up.
But while the weather was dry, with some sunny spells, the winds at the top of Holcombe Moor were fierce.
We could have carried on further, but mindful of the return train to Bury, we turned back and headed towards Ramsbottom via a stop at the Shoulder of Mutton.
The historic pub, with a large beer garden, would have been the perfect place to grab a pint - but after hiking for a couple of hours, we opted for something more thirst-quenching.
With a bit of time left to kill before our return train to Bury, we decided to explore Nuttall Park - a vast, scenic park by the River Irwell which is perfect for families, and those after a gentler stroll than the steep Holcombe Moor.
As my phone reliably informed me I'd done more than 20,000 steps, it was hardly surprising we were both shattered as we caught the ELR back to Bury, but we still made time to round off the trip with a visit to The Trackside.
The bar sits of one of the platforms at the Bury ELR station, offering a range of craft beers in a cosy environment, with the backdrop of the historic Bolton Street station through the window. It was the perfect way to round off what had been a brilliant day.
If you're looking for something to do this Father's Day, a trip to Ramsbottom on the ELR could be the perfect way to spend it, with something for dads of all ages - and the rest of the family.
The ELR runs three services each way between Bury and Rawtenstall every Wednesday and Thursday in June. Weekends have around twice as many services, with trains running between Heywood and Rawtenstall, via Bury - including on Father's Day.
Return tickets from Bury to Ramsbottom cost £15.50 each, purchased at the station, with prices varying for different services and advance fares available online. Room 54, the Shoulder of Mutton and The Trackside are all open on Sundays.
