A Very Chester Christmas

Chester is a pretty town with roman walls and lots of lovely old Tudor buildings. The town has a beautiful cathedral that was first built sometime in the 1100's. It was an hours drive south from Liverpool where the ferry had landed.
This was where we were meeting Alison and Regan who were coming all the way from Australia to spend xmas with us.
We were spoilt for choice with accommodation. There were some great pubs, The Red lion , The Pied Bull, it was hard to decide where to stay, eat and drink. The Coach Inn won out, right in the centre of town overlooking a Xmas market. Our rooms were great, spacious and comfortable and a staircase led you downstairs to a comfortable spot in front of a welcoming fireplace.
The three days went all too quickly - walking the walls and canals, exploring the wonderful shops and enjoying the mulled wine and the scrumptious meals at the pubs.
One night we all went to the local town hall to see a musical version of Dickens's " A Christmas Carol". We had arrived late, the play had been sold out, but after chatting to the director we were lucky enough to be squeezed into the second half. At intermission you could have a wine or two and then take it back in with you - very civilised. The actors had beautiful singing voices and it gave us a wonderful introduction to an English Xmas.
All to quickly our stay in Chester was over and we all squeezed into the fiesta for the trip south to Bangor on Dee in Wales. Alison and I had been relegated to the back seat and were covered with parcels and bags. Trapped! so much so that we couldn't see each other. I said a quiet prayer promising never to shop again if I survived the trip.
As usual our satnav lady took us on the scenic route. I wasn't impressed it was 5 pm, pitch black and raining. And you guessed it - no connection on the ipad.
A trip that should have taken 30 minutes lasted an hour. We arrived frazzled and not looking like the capable, trusted housesitters we were supposed to be.
Buffy, the retriever didn't appear to mind our shaken and nervy states and as the night wore on neither did the homeowners. We ate, drank and made merry late into the night, with the neighbours joining the party as well.
The little village of Bangor on Dee, near Wrexham, is close to some great attractions. One of these is a famous aqueduct.
To cross the aqueduct at Pontsycyllte, best not to have a fear of heights. Fortunately there is a rail on one side, the canal in the middle, then open space dropping down 130 feet below. A marvel of bridge building, another of Thomas Telfords, we have come across his bridges many times in our travels in the UK .
A great Xmas was held by all including Buffy who took every opportunity to enjoy the Christmas cheer. One night when the carollers were singing at our door, Buffy quietly made quick work of the mince pies in their basket, while everyone was otherwise occupied with the singing!