Chester Vespers

Leaving from Bath and heading to Liverpool, we decided to spend a night in Chester because my brother, Leon really loved it. I can see why. The main downtown street is a charming hodgepodge of Tudor, Regency, and Victorian architecture, and unlike the fake main streets of theme parks these are the real deal.

We stayed at the Grosvenor Hotel right by the East Gate and its famous clock, which was built on the spot of the entrance to the Roman fortess, Deva Victrix. It has been replaced three different times, with the current incarnation dating back to 1768.

That evening we went down to the hotel bar where Glenn continued his long standing tradition of ordering a very specific martini, being disappointed with the results, then sending it back. In this case the bartender, Diego, a jovial Italian, came straight to our table and asked what was wrong. He realized the waiter hadn't relayed the instructions correctly and there ensued a lively discussion about whether the martini Glenn preferred was a Churchill or a Hemingway. Turns out it was a Hemingway. It's all to do with ratios and hard, not soft, ice and how it's stirred. I ordered the Chester Vesper and was very happy with it. Diego was the consummate bartender, the best we met on our trip. Not only that but he recommended an Italian restaurant to us that the locals loved, Made in Italy. It was in an eclectic neighborhood, and was small, loud, cheerful, and friendly, with people spilling out onto the street. It was tasty and fun. If you're ever in Chester, Diego is your man for good drinks and food food tips.

Our jet lag finally kicked in and we slept till 10:30 the next morning, seriously cutting into our sightseeing time, but we found a Caffe Nero across the street and enjoyed some outdoor people watching.

After that we were off to the Chester Cathedral, another of the lovely churches we visited.

Many of the cathedrals in England have created their own Lego models. People can donate to purchase Lego bricks and add to the construction.

I'm always looking for unique and quirky sculptures in churches.

Apparently you're allowed to rappel from the ceiling, too.

The grounds were also pretty. This sculpture represented the Waters of Life.

Next up, we meet with the first of my cousins. A little genealogy may be involved.