Evensong with a difference

Sunday. 

After a hearty breakfast of eggs and bacon we set off back to Chester.

As we got closer to the city we noticed a number of runners crossing the road bridge ahead of us.

We then saw them as we crossed an aqueduct and later on another bridge. Obviously an important event.

They weren't on this bridge but we did like the metalwork on the railings.

We stopped again just below the locks into Chester to top up with water and attend to the loo. On the other side of the canal is Telford's Warehouse, now a pub.

Up the locks again with me doing my best to look useful.

However, met up with a couple of the runners who had been taking part in a half marathon to raise funds for Space a Chester charity for children with special needs.

After the locks we moored again, much in the same place as when we came down and, as it was lunchtime, we tried Bean and Cole, a Google suggestion. 

Brigid had avocado toast.

I had a brie and prosciutto toastie.

Both were delicious. 

After that a walk around the city once more and back to the boat in time to change for evensong in the cathedral.

When we arrived we found out that it was a civic choral evensong with the Lord Mayor of Chester, the Sheriff, and mayors from all round the district. We followed the procession (a bit like the coronation with mace and sword and wand) and, after all were seated, were ushered in to seats in the front row. 

A memento of the occasion. Brigid with a bag handmade by our friend Jan.

In the cathedral grounds is this lovely fountain.

And at the back of the cathedral, the consistory court. 

We then walked back along the city wall overlooking the canal that we had sailed along in the morning.

We spent the rest of the afternoon in the sunshine before roasting a chicken for our supper.

It's a hard life on the canals!

Chester Zoo

Well, I never thought that I would enjoy a visit to a zoo so much. The weather helped enormously, the sun was shining and not a cloud in the sky.

We spent nearly 5 hours walking round a zoo where the impression was that there were no bars or cages for the animals. Of course there were but the whole feeling was that, although enclosed, the animals were in a natural habitat.

We had to clear a few kids and families out of the way to get this photo of the captain to prove where we were.

Asian elephants - but that's where I'm going to stop, I know I'll give all the rest the wrong names.

Very clever feeding stations in the butterfly enclosure. This butterfly was a brilliant blue but I just couldn't get a photo with its wings open.

Now I do know these two, rhinos.

You see what I mean when I say that there were no bars. 

This picture doesn't really convey just how many cars there were. These rows, the next field across and at least 2 more either side. There were thousands of people there but it somehow didn't feel overcrowded. 

Top marks to this wonderful zoo for the care they take of their visitors, the educational side of things, food outlets, etc, etc, etc. Come and see for yourself.

We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo

Sorry, not too many photos today. Anyway, they'd be the same as on the way up. 

We were going to set off back towards Chester but I decided to phone the bank to sort out a problem with the church bank account. (And I thought I was on holiday!)

After an hour on the phone we managed to get things sorted, thank goodness. Then emails all round to spread the good news. 

And off we go.

As with many other parts of the country, new housing going up on the outskirts of Ellesmere Port.

OK, not the same picture as on the way up. This is the church at Stoak. Our guidebook describes Stoak as being surrounded by the motorway and the canal, which it is.

We decided to stop by Caughall Bridge so that we could go to the zoo. Because it was now well past lunch time we thought we would stay here overnight and not rush around for only a part of the afternoon.

I then spent time updating our personal accounts, mainly to see if we have any money left, and spliced a couple of eyes into some replacement mooring ropes. I then opened a tin of paint - silly boy!

We are giving our nest of tables a new look. The only trouble is that this is only the first coat and I've got two more to do. 

Then we had visitors for afternoon tea.

Mother duck and 4 ducklings (they wouldn't all stay still enough for a family photo).

I think this is the one that got missed.

Liverpool ahoy

On our way through Chester we passed King Charles' Tower. 

The canal runs alongside the old city walls.

Above you can see the rock upon which the walls of the city were built.

Just about to pass under Northgate Bridge.

Here we are in the Northgate Staircase Locks. 3 locks this time but, luckily for us, there was a lockkeeper in attendance who helped us through them all.

Those gates don't half look big.

Locks 2 & 3 ready for another boat to come up. The two boats will pass in the middle lock. One up, one down.

Out she comes.

And they pass just like that.

At the foot of the locks is a plaque for L T C Rolt. He was a prime mover in forming the Inland Waterways Association and is well remembered in canal circles.

Just around the corner and we pass the old Taylor's Boatyard, no longer in operation, alas. 

And then, 10 minutes later, we're away from the city and out in the country again.

Only included this photo because Chusan used to be moored next to us at Bugbrooke Marina.

Now it's moored amidst a long line of boats. Almost as far as the eye can see.

Aaaww... No words needed.

Just short of 5 hours later and we arrive at Ellesmere Port. A quick spin round, tie up and off to see if we can find anything to eat.

The C&RT café had just finished serving food so we walked along to the Manchester Ship Canal to be greeted by a boat coming our way.

And on the corner we came across the Port & Anchor Eatery. 

Well, were we glad to have missed out on the café. We had a delicious tagliatelle carbonara with garlic bread. If ever you come this way then the Port & Anchor is well worth a visit.

After lunch we needed a walk round so we had a look at the old port. It must have been quite something in its day.

Oh, and you see those blobs on the far left in the distance, well that's Liverpool. Ahoy Liverpool. 

After that, back to the boat and put tonight's supper back in the fridge ready for tomorrow. 

Grand tour of Chester

Wednesday 17th May.

Well, we may have had a poor internet signal last night.

But that shouldn't be a problem today.

Having a nose at the posh house in Christleton. 

Striped lawns right down to the water's edge.

And we're still not sure if this is an old building restored or a new building made to look old. Most likely the former.

We were lucky enough to team up with a couple also going into Chester. I appreciated his boat handling and neither of us scraped in the locks. 

Their boat has a Latin name which effectively means Now is the time to drink.

Definitely an older property but isn't it marvelous.

Who says you can't have garden gnomes on the canal side?

Now entering Chester proper.

And here we are. Right outside Waitrose. (Other stores are available!)

Looking back at the first steam powered flour mill built in 1786. 

We moored near the cathedral and decided to go for a walk around the city walls.

Above is the Eastgate clock placed on the wall in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. It is the second most photographed clock in the UK after Big Ben. 

A high-level view of Eastgate Street.

And a side view of Newgate with the old Wolf Gate alongside.

And there's the Roman amphitheatre.

And the River Dee. Cor, we did get around a bit. 

And lastly, the two tiered shopping street, both upper and lower levels on both sides of the road. The only problem was that when we were up top we didn't know what shops were below us. In the end we walked in the road so we could see both levels at the same time.

We only walked two and a half miles but were glad to get back to the boat for a nice brew. 

Let's hope it's not too noisy tonight moored in the centre of the city.