continuing, travels from August 2022 thru May 2023

*March 2023/April 2023*

*Manchester

*Our entire trip was brought about by an invitation to Sam and Becka's wedding in Manchester.  Becka's family used to live in Aptos, and she and Nadine went to school together in the same grade, as well as her sister Sarah and Sally.

Our arrival at the train station in Manchester.  Sandy and I and John and Nadine and way too much luggage all packed in to a standard British taxi cab

Nadine, Sally, Bryson, Sam, Becka, Sarah, Sandy and John (and me!) out for pizza two days before the wedding.  It was great to be able to get together at all during the hectic pre wedding days.

Richard and Faith (bride parents) with us for lunch pre wedding. They have that look of "it's almost over with!"

I did have a brief opportunity while in Manchester to go for a jog along the River Mersey.

Sorry, no wedding photos to share.

After the wedding, we had arranged to meet up with Margaret and Malcolm who reside outside of Manchester. They are the parents of someone I used to work with at Adobe and had briefly met at his wedding a few years prior.  They were are tour guides for a day, taking us to the town of Chester which we knew absolutely nothing about.  It was fantastic!!! Not only the city of Chester, but also their company.  We gives our guides a 5 star rating, and for a limited time our referral commission is a reduced 3% 😉

The lasting legacy of Chester is the Roman influence.  Until about 400 AD, this was a thriving Roman city and much of that structure remains.

One can still walk the wall that encloses the city

While the insides of the shops are modern, the exteriors of the buildings continue a 1700s look

Chester Cathedral is magnificent.  We just don't have anything like this in Montana (or the US).

I've heard it said the size of the organ doesn't matter 😉

We were able to hear the organ and the choir practicing while we toured it.  Just amazing!

After Chester, we were taken to The Ship Free House, for the best Sunday Roast in Cheshire.  We were not disappointed.  The food and the venue were excellent.

And best of all, "We don't have to work tomorrow!"

Thanks you so much Malcolm and Margaret

..... the travels continue in part 4