Trips to Chester
Chester from a water color. On the far left is Chester Castle, centre the 12th century church of St. Mary-Within-the-Walls, and to the right of that Bridgegate, and over the Dee the Old Dee Bridge built in 1387.
One of our favorite places to visit was Chester. This we did by crossing on the ferry from the Pier Head to Birkenhead and catching a train from Woodside station at the head of the ferry ramp. Once there we walked the walls, beside the River Dee and explored the old parts of the town. On one memorable occasion I can recall well, we attended a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” in the Cathedral.
Engaged in Chester
Engaged 1954
It was there in Chester on the banks of the Dee that John proposed to me, and I accepted him, and we celebrated with a meal at the “old worlde” and famed Blossom’s Hotel. So it made sense to go back to Chester to purchase my engagement ring. This we did in a jewelers shop located in one of the “rows” on Eastgate Street, just outside the city walls. It was in an ancient timber framed building with the pavement or sidewalk many feet above street level, for which Chester is known. Again we followed our purchase with another pleasant meal at the Blossoms Hotel. We continued to visit Chester after our formal engagement but found more peace and tranquility at Arnside in Westmorland.
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