Friday 15 June 2012

Queen for a Quarter Hour or so....

                                                       Guarded by lions

Am I in sunny Italy?  No, believe it or not, it's Chester, and a dreary day at that!  Gorgeous Husband and I went to Chester on the train one day last month, just for a bit of an outing.  Even though it is only an hour's journey, it always makes me think of being on holiday.  It sparks memories of me being in England as a tourist and being all agog at the architecture and history of the place.  So, although it is   close enough for me to be "jaded" I still get a remmant of that original feeling, and put my "North American eyes" in when I look around.

We discovered this gorgeous sculpture garden totally by accident.  It is behind the Queen Hotel , situated directly across from the train station.  It is gorgeous inside, with a strong feeling of still being in Victorian times, and the British Empire at its height.  Opulant and grand and beautifully furnished. It was built in Victorian times and is named in honor of Queen Victoria.

 As we looked out the windows to the rear courtyard, we discovered this fabulous sculpture garden, which was like getting a small win on a scratch card.  All the times we had been visiting, and never even knew it was there!


A patriotic plastic bag.

We visited just before the Queen's Jubilee weekend, so I was able to get this great plastic Union Jack bag for only £2 from the street vendor.  I wish I had bought my umbrella from him too, but got that later at a much higher price.  Looking back, maybe I should have loaded up on the tea towels and other tat he was selling.... no, perhaps not!


Chester Jubilee Clock  (good spot for meeting people)

This is Chester's Jubilee clock, which they built in 1897 (as you can see) for Queen Victoria being on the throne 60 years.  Those Victorians liked to do things in a grand style!  (No expense spared from the look of it.)

Anyone for tea?

Also by chance, Gorgeous Husband and I discovered a little antique shop on the town walls that we had never seen before and we got this great photo.  Either you think it is delightfully cute, or that is the height of twee.  I love it, but don't need to own it.  A photo is good enough, thanks.

Also, many thanks for all your comments on my last post about the clearing out of my shoe collection.  It makes my day to see that people read this!!




8 comments:

Mrs. D said...

Sounds like you had a great day out!
Maybe I should travel more to see the country, before I move on to the US, there are plenty of amazing places to see. I think I tend to forget about that, living in dreary old Grantham.

Melanie said...

I've still got my North American eyes and that architecture and opulence still overwhelm. To think people actually live ordinary lives among this beauty is mind-boggling.

That first photo of you is absolutely regal! What a great ultra-mini holiday you had with your husband. Great idea.

Anonymous said...

The coat is a stand-out in the garden of sculpture. And that clock tower brings home the fact that North America has nothing like it.

Vix said...

Having North American, Australian and Kiwi readers makes me see our British architecture with fresh eyes. We can get complacent with being surrounded by so much history.
I haven't been to Chester in years, which is awful as my family came from there.
Love your bag! x

The Style Crone said...

It must have felt grand to be guarded by lions in your colorful coat. So nice to have a get-away with GH. I can see that you live in the land of unending and inspiring beauty.

Ivy Black said...

Oooh...I love Chester! Gorgeous architecture. I haven't been in years but I do recall a shop full of nothing but antique dolls of all sizes and creepiness. I was in like a shot but my friend refused to go in because they were too scary!!
I know Shrewsbury well...we used to like on the shropshire/Wales border many moons ago. I feel a visit coming on!!xxxxx

Kathleen said...

Thanks for taking me along on your little day trip! Love all your photos.

Rosemary the Shopper said...

Many thanks for all your comments. I haven't seen a shop selling antique dolls in Chester, but then, I haven't been looking for one either.

Glad I've figured out how to post more than one photo. Goodness knows what I might learn next!

Much love,
Rosemary