The next several posts have a special guest star...
Introducing my grizzly-bear of a father, Papa Roger! He flew out in August and spent two weeks with us in England. This post documents the beginning of our adventure.
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| Hello, Papa Roger! |
After a day and a half of touring around the little corner of England where we live, we drove down to Chester. Chester is right on the Welsh boarder and has some terrific medieval ruins, as well as a small Roman amphitheater. Alas, the traffic was much worse than anticipated and by the time we arrived it was well and truly past lunchtime. We quickly checked into our hotel rooms and found a lovely little pub for some grub. Afterwards, we walked around the walled city of Chester (just like York, Chester city centre is enclosed in walls built in the middle ages). Sadly, it was much later than we had planned and all of the sites had already admitted their last visitors for the day. So back to the hotel we went, it was only 6:00 and our tummies were still full. We didn't want to just sit in a pub for hours drinking and talking - we had already sat in a car all day! So, I got out my phone with its trusty Trip Advisor app and looked up 'Things to do in Chester.'
What!?! There's an indoor crazy golf course less than 10 minute drive away? Yes, please! :-)
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| Dad shooting for a hole in one |
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| Bill won both 18-hole rounds! |
Adventure golf was a load of fun and a good way to walk around, goof off, and spend an enjoyable several hours together. Afterwards we walked over to an ice cream shop inside an Imax theater and had double-scoops for a late-night dinner. Because that's how we roll!
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| Chirk Castle |
The next morning we got up and made our way into Wales. Our first stop was to Chirk Castle, a 13th century castle with (yet again) a long and contentious history. Sadly, my phone (and therefore, my camera) started really acting grumpy and I only got a few good photos. The oldest portion of the castle is in remarkable shape, dating all the way back to it's beginnings in 1295. The castle has seen hard times, but has remained intact with various additions, upgrades, and enforced walls added throughout its long life.
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| A Welsh solder (AKA Dad) |
We were able to explore the oldest part of the tower, soldiers quarters and lookouts as well as a two-level basement dungeon. More fortunate prisoners lived on the upper level with some natural light, ventilation, and a fireplace. Others were locked in the lower level, with no light, fresh air, or heat.
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| Window looking out on another guard tower |
We toured a chapel and other medieval rooms before making our way to the North Range, the youngest side of the castle, much of which built during the Victorian age. We weren't allowed to take photos in that part of the castle, but my phone was on its last leg anyway.
After a pit stop in the tea room, we used my phone's sat nav (GPS) to make our way to the Chirk Marina. Alas, we made a wrong turn somewhere along the way and then my phone lost its signal. At our lowest (highest?) point, we were lost, couldn't get a signal, and had made our way somehow onto an overgrown dirt path that was definitely not a public road. My poor Subaru bumped its way down a twisting tractor's path, six foot tall weeds on either side whipped my car with the slightest breeze. But we finally, FINALLY! made it to the Chirk Marina and met up with a lot of friends to start our 3-night canal boat adventure.
More on that in the next post!
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