Day 29 - Wrexham to Chester

Today was a day of rest and sightseeing. First off all a few bits of Wrexham to see (or Wrecsam if you're Welsh as they don't have the letter X).

It is indeed a respendent church, currently bedecked with jubilee decorations.

I enjoyed the game of tracking down these various memorials. The American one was an easy find, as the stars and stripes flag gave it away.

Elihu Yale’s wasn’t difficult to spot either, being housed in a giant sarcophagus.

The apparently famous epitah for Old Daniel Jones, however, required some real detective work. None of the church wardens had ever heard of it, and even the internet failed to give a proper location. I resorted to scouring the whole West wing until at last I found it and was able to read it aloud to the delight of the wardens, one of whom said she'd been there 2o years and never noticed it!

And with that satisfying note I went on my way.

If you're interested the traffic free scheme worked and more much of the centre is pedestrian only. I didn't stay long though as I had to make my way to one of the three stations to follow my dad's journey on to Chester, for the section that he titled “An Interlude in England”.

Having dropped off the last week’s worth of dirty clothes at the launderette for a service wash, I followed my dad's route to the former hostel.

I located the former hostel building, now a University of Chester student halls of residence named De Bunsen hall. Evidently the old YHA back-to-basics ethos hasn’t left, judging by the first review that popped up online. They gave it 1-star and it begins, “De Bunsen Hall is where an your nightmares come on the form of a building” then goes on to describe ancient and basic facilties, army-surplus metal beds and showers like the ones in the gym where you have to press a button every 15 seconds for water. When my dad stayed there, hot showers would’ve been an absolute luxury!

I returned to the city centre in time to meet my good friend Andy who’d just driven down to join me for a couple of days. Having found somewhere to park, we set off exploring Chester.

Following in my father's footsteps…

Incidentally, it was intended to stop bandits from the mountains from looting the city. When an alarm was called, the rows bolted their doors closed and aimed missiles various down from above at the vagabonds.

This really was a smashing day in Chester. There is so much to see here. Having followed my dad's routes we just roamed freely, wandering up side streets and along the canal and riverside.

By now we were ready for a refreshing imbibement to keep our strengths up. We had one sat outside at a corner bar.

Shortly after we found an incredible bar in the crypt of a church with carved stone cloisters, but we were keen to sit outside in the sun so didn't stay here, however this will be our first port of call on Project Chester, the plan we drew up which basically involves going back to Chester at some point as we liked it so much.

Remembering a lovely looking place we’d seen earlier, we retraced our steps to The Architect, a pub with a large and sunny beer garden and fabulous views across the racecourse, where we reclined and enjoyed the sunshine.

When hunger was upon us, we narrowed the choice down of places we'd had our eyes on, and ended hitting the jackpot with a delicious meal at a Thai restaurant situated in an old timber framed building with carved adornments inside.

We finished a superb day in Chester with a nightcap at The Marlborough Arms (pictured earlier) before returning to our hotel, a grand old place called The Queen. The last pic is returning home in the evening.

What a revelation Chester is. I can't believe what a great little city it is. It’s the perfect size with everything you could ask for- great architecture, beautiful buildings, green spaces, river and canal, Roman ruins and walls, great shops, pubs, restaurants, a university, and everything else you need within walking distance. I can’t wait to return and bring family and friends back here. And tomorrow I set off for the final stage of the trip in Snowdonia…