Back to the UK after 50 years

OZDUCK · 2026-10-08T15:59:50+1100

Finishing off Chester. If you are nearby it is well worth spending a few hours here.

Outside the Town Hall - a bronze statue gifted to the city by the Chester Zoo

Grosvenor Bride - "This elegant stone bridge across the River Dee, seen from the city wall as you pass Chester Castle, is actually a Grade I listed building. It was the longest single-span arched bridge in the world when it was opened by (the then) Princess Victoria in 1832"

Another "Bridge of Sighs"

The train trip to and from Chester was not the most scenic one I have ever taken. The line often runs through cuttings or with trees hiding it from view. And when views were available they were often just of flat farmland.

This was one of the more exciting sights

Occasionally you would pass by a small town

Once again we got both English and Welsh language information

OZDUCK · 2026-10-08T19:22:21+1100

Our second day trip was a mini-bus tour to the Lake District. This can be visited by train from Manchester but then you are restricted as to what areas you can see. The company we went with was Rabbie's Tours and the price was £164 including a 45 minute 'cruise' on Lake Windermere. Due to traffic delays on the return trip it turned out to be close to an 11 hour trip.

We had visited the Lake District in 1976 and it was so cold and wet we spent very little time there. Unfortunately this pattern repeated itself as we experienced the coldest and wettest day of our trip.

A stock photo of one of their vans. All the tour companies seem to use the same 18 seat Mercedes vans and their prices are basically identical.

The inside of the van. It was pretty comfortable but a little short on legroom. I sat in the middle rear seat so I could stick my legs out but this also meant I was right over the rear axle so it was a bit bumpy.

On the way out of Manchester

London Road Fire Station opened 1906 and shut down in 1986 with a variety of failed redevelopment schemes since then.

A former cotton mill - Victoria Mill built between 1869 - 1873. It operated until 1960 and is now mixed residential/commercial use.

A bit of rolling countryside

Bowness Pier on Lake Windermere

Our boat

The tour

My wife found this little display

OZDUCK · 2026-10-08T19:52:40+1100

From the boat.

Leaving the pier

Claife Viewing Station is a 19th century viewing platform on the western shore of Windermere, designed with coloured glass panels to frame scenic views of the Lake District.