August, 2018 | Postcards From Here and There

A Day Out in Chester

The walled city of Chester in the North West of the United Kingdom is a perfect destination for a day out. Whatsmore many activities in the city can be done for free. The city itself is relatively compact and this makes it ideal for walking and this of course is a great way to take in everything that this wonderful, historic city has to offer.

Walk the City Walls – the origin of the wall dates back to Roman times when they were designed as part of the fortifications of the city. Although modified in the following centuries the wall is almost a complete circle around what was the medieval city boundary. At almost two miles in length a circuit of the walls can be completed in an hour, allowing for a gentle stroll and a few stops for photographs. The busiest section is that around Eastgate where there is also the famous Eastgate Clock.

For much of the rest of the walk you may well be largely on your own depending on the time of year. The walk affords excellent views of the amphitheatre, the River Dee, The Roodee racecourse and Chester Cathedral.

Walk The Rows

The Rows are a series of covered walkways on the main streets which are at the first floor level and give access to a further set of shops. They have existed in Chester since medieval times and are unique to Chester. They are to be found on the four streets that run out from Chester Cross in the centre of the city.

The Town Crier – proclamations are read by the city’s town crier at midday from Tuesday to Saturday in the summer months. At the Chester Cross in the centre of the city

Chester Cathedral – built of red sandstone in the gothic style the cathedral is an imposing structure in the centre of the city. Entry is free but they do suggest voluntary contribution of £4

It is also possible to visit the cathedral gardens where you can see a collection of birds of prey and even watch a display of them in flight. There is however a cost for this of £5 per adult and £4 per child. The entrance to the gardens is b y the city wall.

Roman Amphitheatre – the largest Roman Amphitheatre excavated in the UK and dating back to the first century it is an imposing piece of history surrounded as it is by modern day traffic. Only part of the original structure is visible, the remainder being under buildings, but it is enough to give you sense of the place which was big enough to hold up to seven thousand people.

The River Dee – The Groves is a paved walkway on the bank of the river and is only a short walk from the Amphitheatre and City Walls.

It is a pleasant area and well worth a stop on your tour of the city. From here it is possible to take a river cruise up river or cross the pedestrian bridge to explore Chester Meadows, an area of grassland on the south bank.

Chester also has numerous cafés, restaurants and bars if you are in need of refreshment and just need to relax for a few minutes in busy day sightseeing.

Glastonbury

To many the word Glastonbury is synonymous with the music and arts festival held in late June since the early 1970s close to the village of Pilton which is six miles to the east of the town of Glastonbury. Most festival goers will never see the town but it has much to offer with history, myth and legends at its heart.

Much of the High Street business today is based around new age/alternative beliefs. There is an eclectic range of shops selling crystals, hippy clothing, organic/wholefoods, art, new age books and music. Indeed it is nothing like most high streets in the country which are much of a muchness with hardly any independent retailers in some. Glastonbury is quite unique in that regard and much the better for it.

Glastonbury has more than its share of myths and legends all of which add to a degree of mysticism about the place Legend has it that Joseph of Arimathea visited the area in the first century bringing with him the Holy Grail, the cup that Jesus drank from at the last supper and was used to collect his blood at the crucifixion. Glastonbury Abbey was supposedly built to be its resting place. There are a number of claims of possible locations for the grail around the world but sadly you won’t see it in Glastonbury.

When visiting the town and local area there are two must sees.

Glastonbury Tor

The Tor is visible for miles around as it rises over 150 metres above the surrounding Somerset levels. It is only a short, well signposted walk, from the town and the effort to climb the path to the top is well worth is as the views are spectacular, giving a full 360 degree panorama of the surrounding countryside. There are sometimes storytellers and musicians at the top which can add something a little different to a visit.

The Tor has long been an assembly point for pagans and christians over the centuries and is associated with Avalon and the legend of King Arthur. The slopes are terraced but why and by whom remains a mystery. there is certainly evidence of human activity on and around the Tor dating back over two thousand years.

The tower standing on top of the Tor is all that remains of St Michael’s church which was built in the fourteenth century. All but the tower was destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the mid 1500s.

Glastonbury Abbey

In the centre of the town is Glastonbury Abbey. There is a charge for entry and opening hours vary with the seasons. You can find details from the official website.

The origins of the Abbey dates back to the seventh century though legend has it that the origin may date back to the first century with the arrival of Joseph of Arimathea. The Abbey underwent expansion and even rebuilding following a fire in 1184. By the fourteenth century it had become the second wealthiest abbey in the country, second only to Westminster Abbey in London.

However the power of the Abbey was short-lived as it was largely destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. What survived is largely what you see today.

In 1191, following the fire which largely destroyed the Abbey, Monks unearthed the bones of King Arthur and Guinivere. The Abbey certainly needed to raise funds at this time for rebuilding so perhaps this discovery was somewhat convenient. Whether the bones were genuine or not they were reburied in the Abbey in 1271.

The Abbey is well worth a visit, especially if the sun shines and you have time to walk around the quite considerable and well kept grounds.

Liverpool Craft Beer Expo

Liverpool Craft Beer Expo is now in its sixth year and is held at the Invisible Wind Factory adjacent to the docks on the northern side of the city centre. It is a gentle 20 minute stroll from the Pier Head. With five sessions held over four days the expo has more to offer than just beer with ciders, gin, street food and live music on the menu.

Wylam. All Formats. DDH Citra Pale 5.2% – Yellow,cloudy, nice persistent head. Aromas of lemon, peach, apricot. Palate has low bitterness and is nicely carbonated. Tropical fruits, bags of lemon citrus. There is a lovely bitter lemon finish.

Wylam. What’s the Sense in Sharing. Braw Collab. Grisette. 4.5% – Pale lemon, hazy, good persistent head. Aromas of lemon citrus and hops. Light on the palate, lemon, piney resin. Very much in the easy drinking style.

Wylam. Kill Phil. DDH IPA 7.0% – Yellow/orange, good white head. Nose is pineapple, lemon and banana. Palate is creamy tropical fruit and lemon citrus which lasts through to the finish. this is very nice and very drinkable.

Top Rope. Papa Mango, Mango Pale 5.1% – Vibrant orange in colour, cloudy with a strong white head. Aromas of mango, pineapple, banana. Palate is intense mango, low bitterness, nice carbonation. Mouthfeel is good with a slight creaminess. Long, lingering finish of mango puree! Have been rather unimpressed with this beer in the past but this example was rather excellent.

Top Rope. Line in the Sand. East Coast IPA 6.9% – Pale amber in appearance, slight haze and a small white head.Aromas of lemon, caramel, malt. Palate has good mouthfeel, nice carbonation and a low-medium bitterness.

Runaway. Session IPA 4.5% – light amber, clear. Aromas of citrus and pine with malt undertones. Palate is clean and crisp, medium bitterness with plenty of citrus. Very drinkable session beer.

Runaway. IPA 5.5% – medium amber, clear with the very slightest of haze, small, white, non persistent head. Aromas of lemon, pine and malt. Palate has nice malty, hoppy bitterness with gentle carbonation. The finish is malty with a final lemony tang.

Much has been said in the Craft Beer world about Beavertowns recent decision to take investment money from Heineken. Whatever the rights and wrongs of this their influence on the craft beer movement can not be denied and their core range of beers are a watchword for quality and reliability. That said their stand was quiet when I visited early on the Thursday evening. Are consumers voting with their glasses on this issue?

Beavertown. Neck Oil. Session IPA 4.3% I have always enjoyed this session ale and it is always very drinkable. Yellow in colour , clear, small, non persistent white head. Aromas of lemon, grapefruit, caramel and malt. The palate is clean, low bitterness and refreshing

Beavertown. Lupaloid. IPA 6.7% – Yellow in colour, clear, good white head. Malty, hoppy, lemon. Palate is smooth with gentle carbonation and low bitterness. Nicely made and very drinkable.

Thornbridge Brewery. Green Mountain Session NEIPA 4.3% – Yellow, cloudy, a nice white head that lasts.Aromas of grapefruit, lemon and malty caramel. the palate is tropical fruit, low bitterness, creamy and with nice carbonation. A lovely citrusy finish.

Thornbridge Brewery. Hotki Blood Orange IPA. 5.5% – Yellow/gold, clear, nice white head. Aroma is slightly astringent orange, malt and pine. Palate is oranges, low bitterness, gentle carbonation.

Northern Monk. Faith. Modern Pale Ale 5.4% – Yellow,hazy, strong white head. Aroma is grassy, pine, lemon citrus. Palate is low bitterness, tropical fruit, orange with a nice rounded smoothness. A nice tropical note finish.

Northern Monk. Moobing on up. Triple IPA 10% – Yellow and as cloudy as it gets! Aromas of peach, banana and lemon. Palate is low bitterness, creamy, smooth, tropical fruit, merest hint of liquorice, gentle sweetness. This is a lovely beer, packed with flavour and a long, long finish.

Magic Rock. Cannonball IPA 7.4% – Amber, hazy with a strong white head. Aromas of citrus, pine, orange, earthy, malty. Palate is medium bitterness tropical fruits with orange, creamy with nice gentle carbonation. Finish is bitter orange. Very good.

The range of breweries and beers on offer was excellent and all that I sampled were fresh and in excellent condition, it is easy to see why it is a very popular festival. Well organised and a nice choice of venue. My only grouch would be for a little more seating to be available but I do understand the constraints imposed by the size of the venue.