Chester - 6/8/23

 Thursday June 8th

8am: Liturgy in Gladstone Library chapel

• Andrea - celebrant
• Robert - reader
• Julia - attendee
• Theme was the crisis in Ukraine

Breakfast in Food For Thought

• Continental

Drive into Chester 

• Park in city center and start to explore
• Roman Gardens - site of Roman baths and Amphitheatre 
• Discovered in 1732 - excavated in 1865 - entire Baths area revealed in 1963

• Coffee at Obscure Coffee on Lower Bridge Street

• Dee River boat cruise to view the historic homes along the river and their amazing architecture. Mostly summer homes for the well-heeled aristocrats from London

• Walk the city walls
• Dating to 1092 when Normans were fortifying key cities along the English/Welsh border

1092 - The Normans defending their bridge from the English

Walking the captivating High street of Chester

• Touring the  breathtaking Chester Cathedral - Post Reformation cathedral 

This ones for you Barney!

Amazing floor tiles from JackField Tile factory ( See June 7th entry for more detail )

Childrens play area within the cathedral - Eco focused

Marian chapel Icon

My past life as a monk!

Old Testament books in Mosaic

Cloister garden with beautiful sculpture fountain depicting Christs meeting
a Sumerian woman at the well

Drive back to Gladstone Library

• Stop at amazing farm shop on the Hawarden Estate
• Relaxing at the Library before dinner

• Relaxing in our room at the Library before dinner

Our room is the top two windows

Some vintage detail in these stone and stain glass windows