Saturday, 28 May 2011

Chester Town Crier

The Town Crier appears every day at the Cross, and makes public proclamations. This used to be a serious role, in the days before everyone could read. How else would you hear all the news, and know it was a reliable source?
http://www.chestertowncriers.com/cross.html




Thursday, 26 May 2011

Bishop Lloyd's Palace II

In room 2 in the Palace, the ceilings are less ornate, but still beautiful, and use symbols such as the Tudor Rose.







Bishop Lloyd's Palace I

Bishop Lloyd's Palace is about halfway down Watergate St, in the Rows, and on the left hand side as you look from the Cross. It is looked after by Chester Civic Trust, and is open to the public for free for a couple of hours on most days. You can read more about its' history here: http://www.chestercivictrust.org.uk/blp/history-of-bishop-lloyds-palace/
and get an idea of its' layout here:
http://www.chestercivictrust.org.uk/blp/room-plan-description/
The palace has beautiful plasterwork, especially the ceilings. These shots are of the ceilings in Room 1.





Wednesday, 25 May 2011

Bishop Lloyd's Palace III - Pineapples

One of the symbols used in Bishop Lloyd's Palace is that of the pineapple (shown here on one of the fireplaces).  The pineapple was a symbol of wealth and generous hospitality, and was widely used as a motif by architects, artisans and craftsmen.




Chester Giants II

Soon it will be the Giants Parade in Chester (http://www.chesterthegiantcity.com/), but meanwhile they have to have somewhere to store all those Giants - not an easy task. I was in the Market Hall yesterday, when I spotted some of this years Giants trying to look inconspicuous at the back.

 



Tuesday, 24 May 2011

Pret-a-Manger Roman Columns


In the basement of Pret-a-Manger in Northgate St are some original Roman columns. If you ask the staff nicely, and they aren't too busy, they will let you go downstairs to see them.

 


See our Chester self-catering serviced apartment at Black Diamond Park


Monday, 23 May 2011

Strawberries

The first strawberries of the year are ready on our allotment. When you bite into your first strawberry of the year, you can make a wish, and it will come true, honest!