24 June

A pair of ducks work us around 5AM by pecking at the weed on the hull, under the water, just besides Jim's ear. A couple of thumps on the wall didn't make much difference, but as soon as the curtain was opened, they scuttled away.

The morning was a brilliant blue sky with only a few clouds and the temperature must have broken 20C by 9:30AM, however by midday it started to cool off and by 4PM, dark, threatening clouds were coming in and it was back to Hikuai temperatures.

After 8AM, we pottered off and found the waterpoint, then filled up with water. We thought we may be running low as we hadn't topped up in four days, but that's probably not the case as we aren't having baths in our shub. We then went to the bridge where Jim thought we could turn around, but unfortunately we were two feet too long so now needed to go through five locks before reaching a winding or turning point in the middle of Chester.

By 9AM we had started on first lock and by the second lock we had caught up with another boat. The locks will hold two boats side by side so Lynette and the other lady's husband worked the locks while Jim and and the lady on the boat steered their two boats through the locks. The other couple had sold their house and have been living on a narrow boat for three years. They have been traveling around the country enjoying themselves. The husband still thinks it's too small but Jim explained that after a camper van, it was a luxury to have so much room. By 10:30AM we were downtown in Chester.

Lynette then caught up with a bit of washing and we had lunch. The internet connection was working reasonably well so Jim dealt with two days of blogs and photos.

Lynette then walked into town to climb up the 216 steps to the heights of the cathedral to take a few photos, so here's her story. It is known as Cathedral at Height and is a relatively new venture. There is a short 30 minute version or a 1 hour one which includes the ground floor of the cathedral and a few other behind the scene areas. Lynette opted for the 30 minute tour and all participants were given a safety and health briefing before they went ahead and purchased their UKP5.00 tickets. The small spiral stairwell is so narrow that you cannot have a backpack on or even a camera bag slung over your shoulder. We each took a numbered container in a locker to place our jackets, etc and it was then locked until we returned. We were warned that the group had to be kept together and if anybody had reached their limit of endurance then the group would stop and the guide would radio for another guide to come up and take the person(s) down safely.

We climbed up to where there were openings, like a ladder, where we could view original Roman columns briefly and take photos. Onwards and upwards we climbed and then came out at the bell gallery. Somebody asked if we were half way up the 216 steps and was told we were more than half way. A quiet sigh of relief from all concerned and a 5 minute break to catch our breathe and learn about the history of the bells. The bell gallery was placed 35ft higher up the tower in 1963. They then found that the tower was not strong enough for all the bells at that height so no bells could be rung while they constructed a separate bell tower. Only one large old bell and the curfew bell remain in the cathedral tower. The rest are in the new bell tower and this is not open to the public. In 1403 Prince Henry (later King Henry V) ordered that the curfew bell should be rung each night warning people that the gates to the city would shortly close and all Welshmen must be outside the city walls before the gates closed. The curfew bell is still rung today before 8.45PM and 9PM and the gate in the wall leading to the cathedral is closed at 9PM.

Then it was onward and upward on narrower steps clutching to the rail with one hand and the other hand on the next step and you made your way slowly to the very top of the tower. Warnings were given to keep cameras attached to your person. There was a safety walkway around the inside the top of the tower and initially Lynette was only game enough to look and take photos through the little viewing areas between the stones. She later gained some courage was walked around three of the four sides gingerly taking photos. The parapet was labelled with signs showing the views from each side and we were only allowed five minutes up there. Then it was carefully down the steps. Lynette was wearing sandals and found it was easier to back down the top level of steps.

When reaching the galleries running around the inside of the cathedral we were 65ft above the floor of the cathedral. We all arrived safely back at the starting point and collected our belongings. No mention was made of the height we were at at the top so Lynette will ask tomorrow.   

The water point 

Where the water goes 

Two narrow boats in a wide lock 

This is a water tower beside the canal

This a wide canal boat (about 10' wide.)  It's used by one of the hotels to take evening diners for a ride and meal on the canal.
There's nowhere for it to turn around so they have to back it back after a couple of hours.

These columns were salvaged from old Roman buildings.  (Early recycling.) 

Looking down 65' above the cathedral floor.  The Duke of Westminster is in the tomb. 

These are the bells that are in the cathedral.  Only the Curfew Bell is rung, to tell the Welsh to get out of the city. 

The more modern bell tower which contains all the other cathedral bells. 

One of several views across the city. 

The Town Hall and beyond 

One of the corner towers 

St Michael's Row 

Lynette reached the battlements at the base of the four towers 

Outside the wall, Lynette found these pigeon nesting boxes that have been erected.