Damson Blossom

I love damsons, they are a very old-fashioned fruit packed full of flavour, and remind me of my childhood - it was my grandmothers favourite jam. The trees are covered with blossom, so I'm hoping for a bumper year - damson crumble, damson gin, stewed damsons, and, of course, damson jam.

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Looking Up IX

These carvings are Victorian, and are on the facade of RBS that faces onto Frodsham Street. They are in really beautiful condition.

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Recycled Churches

As I was saying, Chester frequently re-uses its' churches, and this one is now up for sale, with planning consent as a restaurant. It is right in the city centre, in Newgate St. Anyone fancy a go?

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The Scent of Spring

Spring is smelling wonderful, today this hyacinth and mahonia were filling the air with their perfume.

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St Michaels - Inside

Inside the Heritage Centre is a stunning hammer beam ceiling, all put together without a single nail. I tried to take a photo of the roof and failed, I need some much better lighting.

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St Michaels Church - Outside

As the population of Chester moved out from the city centre, so the churches that served that population moved, too. But the buildings were left behind, and have been used for other things. The one below used to be St Michaels, but is now Chester Heritage Centre, where you can do research. There is more about it here:
http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/visiting/heritage/chester_history_and_heritage/st_michaels_church.aspx

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Bridge St

In this building on Bridge Street there used to be a dance school, at the left hand end of the building, on the middle of the three floors that you can see. If you ever manage to get up there the original wooden floors, complete with barre, are still there.

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Sheep

There are a lot of very fat sheep around at the moment, ready to lamb at any moment. The ram below let an especially evil look cross his face, but then came over to have his back scratched.

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Along the Canal V

I love the freshness of all the colours at this time of year.

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Looking Up VIII

In Northgate St, just on the end of the Row, is this carving. I have no idea what the red blob is supposed to be, the accretions of time and paint have blurred it just too much.

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Spring has really sprung

The pussy willow has sprouted whiskers, and the lettuces are coming up on the allotment. Amazingly, the lettuces were planted in November and grew right through the winter.

 

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White Friars

White Friars was, as the name suggests, originally occupied by a monastery. You can see the influence of the church in Chester during the Middle Ages by the names of the roads - White, Grey, and Black Friars, and Nuns Road. Along White Friars there are some beautiful buildings, and this one is number 1.

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Browns of Chester

Browns of Chester was originally known as the 'Harrods of the North'. I love its' ceilings and chandeliers.

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