Chester And The Temple, 3 September

We were off to new adventures today, the first of which was getting Sister Hale to the Preston train station where she would head for London and then on home to the temple.  We loaded up, turned on the tom-tom, and were off.  It was a 9 minute drive to Preston and I was amazed we recognized where we had been two days before!  We have see so many different places, that on occasion they begin to run together.

The train station road is under construction, so it took us 3 trips around the city before we actually made it in!  We felt so silly as we drove right past the station but did not see where to go in.  The only sign we saw was for "Arrivals," not one for "Departures."  On the third trip around, we decided to go right in where it said "Arrivals," and sure enough, it was for departures as well!  A sign would have been most helpful.  We parked and walked her in where Dad helped her purchase the ticket and we helped her find the gate she would board on.  We said good-bye's and gave hugs and we were off to see Chester.

Chester lies on the River Dee, in Cheshire close to Wales.  It was granted city status in 1541.  It is known for its Tudor period (1485-1603) architecture.  The black-and-white are Victorian restorations,  with the middle building on the bottom being built in 1601 and rebuilt in 1920.

Chester is bordered with a wall around it that dates back to the time of the Romans.  Note the arch in the top left photo - that is the wall.   In the foreground is the foundations of the southeast angle of the Roman fortress wall and internal tower.  Built between A.D. 74 and 96.  In front of the wall was a defensive ditch, 9 feet deep and 20 feet wide, which is now filled in.  The top right photo is of the pub we ate at, Off The Wall.  In the bottom left photo you can see the wall as it arches across the street.  I love flowers!

Below, you can see us taking a stroll along the walk with others.  We took photos atop the arch and a view of backyards. Wow, they are tiny!

Note the different architecture.  I like how flowers hang everywhere, and they are real!  The right photo is of the Roman garden from the wall.  All of the stones seen there are from that period.

Dad found his sign! 

Just for fun!

We discovered the cathedral and enjoyed going in it.  The cathedral dates from 1093 and the early 16th century.  Typical of English cathedrals, this one has been modified many times.  All the major styles of English Medieval architecture, from Norman to Perpendicular, are represented in the building.

Three different organs.

These buildings are so large and spacious, I feel like I am lost when inside.  If you were in services and the place was full, it would be like general conference.  It is interesting how they have modernized with equipping the building with speakers and video screens - they seem so out of place.

We finished up sight seeing and headed back to the car to return to Chorley.  Surprisingly enough, we made it back safe but very tired.  We took time to change and then headed to the temple for a session.  The sessions are small like at London.  We enjoyed being in the rooms and feel the newness of the construction and design.

Dad took some pictures and I found someone to talk to!

Inside the entry way to the temple, before you enter the building itself, you can look up and see the Angle Moroni through a whole in the ceiling.  Dad is trying his hand at taking the picture.

Top left clockwise:  Sealing Room, Endowment Room, Bride's Room, Celestial Room, Waiting Room, Baptistry.

After the temple session, we found someone to ask about where a good place would be to eat.  They suggested 'The Malt Farmhouse.'   We headed across the motorway and found it tucked in behind a hotel.  Dad had a hearty bowl of soup with a thick slice of homemade bread and I had a beet green goat's cheese salad.  The food was very good and we were sufficiently sated.  Sister Hale had given us money to have a nice meal with and that is exactly what we did.