Chester..... again.

Another really hot day in the making and we set off north to continue our journey to Chester.  Yes Reader I know this is complicated.  But Chester just cannot be visited in a day, or two  actually even three isn't enough really, so even after visiting by car twice last week here we are again.

Watering up at the top of the five spaced double locks down into Chester I was thrilled to see a pretty boat coming along, I called out that we would be five minutes....  Oh alright we'll wait for you, said the driver, who turned out to be called David too such great company one half of a lovely couple.

All downhill these locks so David oiked a bike out for me.  His wife Rose now has dodgy pins and to continue boating she has had to come to helming, but she was very nervous.  I thought she did brilliantly and told her repeatedly.

It was sweltering, I think one of those days that got close to 30 degrees, now sadly a memory as I write this from home.

We whizzed along have three of the locks in our favour and after mooring outside Waitrose in the centre of town, on newly installed rings that have been installed by the nice volunteer lock keeper I met two days ago, (Grand work men).
We moored up in the centre of town.

I was just putting away kit from WaL when a nice lady stopped by to chat.  This is Linda.  Linda is a blog reader!  She also has her own blog too   HERE.

Sun hats worn in anger today.

She couldn't stop long, firstly the intense heat made her dear little dog wilt and secondly they were leaving town in the direction we had just come from.  A pity we couldn't have chatted for longer Linda, but next time we can.  Lovely meeting you. 


Now look carefully and these next three photos.

WaL coming into this final lock, but note the old water tower behind him.

Look at the pub behind with mock tudor beams

This photo was taken in the 1970's and you can see both

Former warehouses and stores now a trendy bar that we didn't get to visit... this time.

The canal side has been so very attractively restored.

Fab cottages that would suit me down to the ground, if its always sunny like this I mean. A local resident said its a great place to live as visitors don't come here and its quiet.

We walked into town, we mooched and I brought a new dress whilst looking for ice creams.
We took a tour of the cathedral and I took these pictures for Lesley K with whom we travelled last summer and visited certainly three if not four cathedrals and in each one we learnt that during the Reformation, that pesky Cromwell defaced all the buildings of their paint and decor.  But here at Chester the lady chapel has been restored to what they believe was its former glory.

We made our way to the river.  David was on a protracted business call (Because as he always says Reader he is only SEMI retired) so he followed me as I ambled along, he followed me along the riverbank, onto the dock and up the steps onto a riverboat, he sat down still deep in conversation and when he finished the call, looked around himself as if to say Whats going on here then?

I fancied a boat ride I said laughing.  Nice gaffs on the riverbank, here are a few I would quite fancy David, if we retire here....

We walked back via the City Walls to WaL.  My feet were very sleepy and it was suggested by I can't remember who that we have an aperitif on the canal side where David had spotted a Craft Beer pub.  It had closed so next door looked ok, we went in. OMG I really didn't mean to but we just couldn't help ourselves, they served Apero Spritz, my fav drink from Italy, then some idiot asked for the menu to peep at only....

Fab food, I had homemade pate and the nut burger with halloumi, I never usually miss out on dessert but this time I couldn't eat another mouthful.  Delicious and a Fabulous place   HERE.

Waddled to the boat, slept very well.