Carrington Moss is a large area of peat bog near Carrington in Greater Manchester, England. It is south of the River Mersey, approximately 10 miles (16 km) south-west of Manchester, and occupies an area of about 1,100 acres (445 hectares). The depth of peat varies between 17 feet (5 m) and 20 feet (6 m). Originally an unused area of grouse moorland, the Moss was reclaimed in the latter half of the 19th century for farming and the disposal of nearby Manchester's waste. A system of tramways was built to connect the Moss with the Manchester Ship Canal and a nearby railway line. During World War II the land was used as a Starfish site, and in the latter half of the 20th century a large industrial complex was built along its northern edge. More recently several sporting facilities have been built on Carrington Moss. Today, the land is still used for farming, and several nature reserves have been established within its bounds. Parts of the Moss are accessible to the public over several rights of way.

Read the rest of this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrington_Moss

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1865:

With their supply trains destroyed by Union troops one day earlier, Confederate forces under Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at the McLean House near the Appomattox Court House in Virginia, effectively ending the American Civil War. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Appomattox_Courthouse

1940:

World War II: Nazi Germany began Operation Weserübung, invading Denmark and Norway. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Weser%C3%BCbung

1959:

NASA announced the selection of the Mercury Seven , the first astronauts in Project Mercury. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Mercury

1989:

An anti-Soviet demonstration in Tbilisi, Georgia, was quashed by the Soviet army, resulting in 20 deaths and hundreds of injuries. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_9_tragedy

2005:

Charles, Prince of Wales, married his long-time mistress Camilla Parker Bowles, culminating the controversial romantic relationship between the two. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_of_Charles%2C_Prince_of_Wales_and_Camilla_Parker_Bowles

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

eddy (n): A current of air or water running back, or in an opposite direction to, the main current http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/eddy

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

These tall and handsome ships, swaying imperceptibly on tranquil waters, these sturdy ships, with their inactive, nostalgic appearance, don’t they say to us in a speechless tongue: When do we cast off for happiness? --Charles Baudelaire http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Charles_Baudelaire