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Chester, Have You Heard about Harry?

Okay, a very obscure title reference, likely only understood by anyone who went to camp as a kid in WI.  It is sung while touching corresponding body parts and keeps getting sung faster and faster until only one person is still keeping up with the song.  To Bob’s chagrin, I regaled him with this tune while we were in Chester cuz it’s just one of those songs you can’t not think of once it’s in your head.  Anyhoo, about our visit —

Our first stop in the UK was a lovely 3 1/2 day holiday in Chester, England.  On Thursday night, March 24, we flew from Calgary to London on BritishAir where we caught our connection to Manchester.  In Manchester, we picked up a train at the airport to Crewe where we changed trains to head to Chester.  We arrived at our hotel about 7:00 pm on 3/25.

Chester is in the county of Cheshire.  It is a gorgeous little community with lots of history. We started our introduction to the community with a walk around the Roman wall that still circles the town center (some portions were rebuilt during the Norman Conquest). The wall allows a 2 mile walk and provides views of the town center, town square clock, oldest race horse grounds in England (on site of old Roman aqueduct), cathedrals, other Roman ruins, as well as the canal and River Dee. We had a great time exploring the town center, taking a boat ride on the River Dee, learning more about the local history at the Grovesnor museum, viewing the half-timber architecture of many of the buildings, going to a local market, and exploring some of the local walking paths. Beth even found a greenway (hiking and biking path) to run on.

We were there over a holiday weekend — Easter and a bank holiday Monday. Little Chester was hopping with lots of people out on the wall on Easter and shopping in the town center on Monday. There was also a big food festival being held in Chester over the weekend at the racecourse. It rained (of course), it was sunny, it changed within minutes, and sometimes it was both (rainy and sunny) at once.

Walking atop the Roman wall
Walking atop the Roman wall
Out on the River Dee
Out on the River Dee
One of the gorgeous local homes with lovely landscaping
One of the gorgeous local homes with lovely landscaping
A family riding the miniature train (really!) in Grovesnor Park on Easter
A family riding the miniature train (really!) in Grovesnor Park on Easter
The town center clock (2nd most photographed clock in England after Big Ben)
The town center clock (2nd most photographed clock in England after Big Ben)
View of the Chester train station at night
View of the Chester train station at night
The half-timber architecture characteristic of Chester
The half-timber architecture characteristic of Chester
Boats docked along the canal. It was fun to watch them navigate the lock system manually.
Boats docked along the canal. It was fun to watch them navigate the lock system manually.
After a day of rain and sun -- an Easter rainbow from our room.
After a day of rain and sun — an Easter rainbow from our room.

Now, we are getting acquainted with Manchester.  More on that later. . .

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