"We aren't in Wales Anymore" Chester, England

Funny, funny story about our trip to Chester.  A big city in comparison to Conwy, we thought we would visit while we were here.

We get all the way there.  We do a bus tour.  All before we find out.....WE ARE NOT IN WALES ANYMORE!!!

We have crossed into England?????

WHAT?

The two of us cracked up over that.  We are touring Wales, but Chester is two miles into England and no one mentioned it wasn't Wales.  Doesn't matter because it was great.

Early morning train ride.  You have to actually wave the train down to signal the Conductor that you want to get on.  So we did.  And he did.  And off we went.

A Heritage bus was a great way to tour the city of Chester and see the walls that surround it.  The Heritage bus is a replica of a 1910 B-Type Vintage double decker motorbus.  It is one of only three in the world.  It was fun.

Sunny, warm and breezy day on the top deck of the bus.  Sweet.

The Chester Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral.  There has been a place of worship on this site for almost 2000 years.  Beginning as an prehistoric Druid temple, then a Roman temple dedicated to Apollo, followed by a pagan temple and then a Christian Church in 660 AD.  The Cathedral is massive.  But remains very serene and peaceful and welcoming.

The Chester Walls surround the entire city.  They are totally intact and the views of the city and surrounding areas are grand.  We spent the day walking in the steps of history along the walls ramparts and explored the city from there.  

Two thousand years ago Chester was a busy Roman Port.  They built these walls that are 3 kilometres long to protect the castle/fortress from invaders.

The Chester Town Hall on the left where Phil (my friend Shona's Uncle) is getting married to his long time love, Helen, on September 12th.  He invited us when we got together to meet over coffee.  We had been Facebook friends with him for over 2 years when Shona introduced us.  

I am definitely going to need an authentic Fascinator to wear!

A beautiful statue in the courtyard water fountain in the Chester Cathedral.  Each angle you look at it, there is a subtle change.....can't explain but it is very eerie.  In a serene way.

I thought this was so interesting and beautiful.  The light is shining through the stained glass window in the Chester Cathedral enlightening the archways inside with rainbows.

Spring flowers.

The East Gate Clock is the second most photographed in the UK after Big Ben.  This is a photo of it at dusk.

And a similar photo of it in the early day sun.  It is exquisite.  It was built to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

Another view of the Chester Cathedral.

Deb knows the way around the walls....so I am following without question?

The towers that are strategically built along the wall are still intact.  Having weathered and withstood so much time.  I am always impressed by what it built hundreds if not thousands of years ago in the UK and Europe and they still stand, for the most part.

A Blue Tit in Chester.  Sounds weird but there it is.  A beautiful little bird with a yellow belly with a dark blue line that goes vertical down its chest.  A blue head with blue on its wings.  Really a pretty bird and very cheerful.  An unfortunate name I think.

Grey Squirrels in Chester!  I hadn't seen one squirrel or chipmunk anywhere on this trip and here they are.  Hmmmmm.....

Blooming flower baskets around the city.

A multitude of daffodils everywhere.

Does anyone know where we are???

Just kidding.  An incredible visit to Chester.  We really only scratched the surface.  A return visit would be great......maybe in September????