May 10

Chester.

This is a most remarkable place. I arrived after a gentle approach because of the rain and wind. Doing the broad locks singlehanded with a crosswind is really challenging- requiring lots of bump and grind along the way as the boat gets blown sideways. In any case, I arrived in Chester yesterday, and wandered into the city center. I moored at the designated place (the last one I could see), and, having also moored in Birmingham and Wolverhampton, was not surprised at the noise potential. I went to evensong at Chester Cathedral which was magical: the girl choristers sang, and normally that would have been less impressive for me, but these girls were brilliant. Their unison work was perfect and the setting went from unison to 4-part close and dissonant chords. They were spellbindingly great. When I left the cathedral, there were huge crowds (thousands) of people all in suits and dresses everywhere. I initially thought the end of friday work, or a large convention, but there were WAY too many people, all obviously having had a good time for quite a while! There were also several paddy wagons and a large police presence. I asked one of them, and it turns out I arrived in Chester at the busiest day of the year, as they have their major horse race event, like Ascot, but Chester style. All dressed up and 20,000 people into the city just as I left the cathedral. Hmmm. Busy evening, and me moored in the center of it all. Turned out not bad at all, and I got a reasonable sleep. Today, I wandered along the towpath, and found that 500m from where I was there was the most spectacular mooring I’ve seen. I moved immediately, and this is the result

Then, wandering along the street. there was a parade of re-enactors, from Roman, Napoleonic wars, WW1, WW2, and modern military, with 3 Red Cross nurses and some scouts, parading through the old city.The Romans were first, and by far the most demonstrative, wildly brandishing their swords, hollering at all in the way, and the one fellow blowing the horn furiously. Very cool. The other pics are from the city streets that are just thronging with people- either left over from the horse races, or just tourists, but VERY busy. This is a must visit destination- which may explain all the people!

A few pics of the time with Nicole.