Chester - old postcards in sepia

where to go?

Little pigeon in Cross Street

the Chester Castle

XIX-century clock

with Queen Victoria

Mario on the walls of Chester

us - Marta and Mario

one old man in Chester

traditional pub

surroundings of the Castle

a Tower

the Bridge

Mario relaxing and thinking of the future

a bus that can take you around Chester

me on the Roma walls

by the Dee River

ruins of the church

Experiencing the City of Two Faces - Chester

Bank Holiday weekend is surely the time when you want to spend more time with your friends, family, partners ...(here put with whom else).

finding our way in Chester

Last long weekend of Summer had a lot to offer for us and the decision was made not to blow with by sitting again in front of computer, TV, book (again fill with stuff you usually do when have some free time).

A trip to Chester appeared to be the perfect way to spend some time together within nice surroundings.

beautiful English house

The city opens it arms for tourists (and travelers who we find ourselves) in two different ways: its two faces seem to coexist here beautifully. Its ancient Roman buildings and walls, as well as old traditional English houses represent the rich history of this city, but they are also a capital for modern shops and restaurants.

in the middle of the streets crossing

Mario with the famous Clock

amazing old house

Mario by Dee River

we're not gonna go there

that's right - we're going there!

You'll love those narrow streets and paths that lead you from one place to another only for you to suddenly find yourself in an amusement. Truly, North West England has a lot to offer, but I think Chester is a place you really want to find yourself in your trips. It's because it gives you this feeling of traditional, small English villages and countrysides, even though just around the corner you can find 21-century cafes and pubs.

with Phone Box

Mario with his marvelous cake
bought from a nice old lady in the church Restaurant

Just have a look!

a history lesson and entertainment

a view on the main Street

Marta & Mario in Chester

Manchester is all about sport

When you ask someone in Poland what he/she knows about Manchester, the most obvious answer would be - Manchester United; some will also mention Manchester City (no offense, folks).

There is that magnetic "thing" about Manchester, being a capital city of football and I reckon my compatriots simply can't be bothered to get to know this city a little bit more. Truly, I need to admit, the football in Manchester is not only a game. It is not even a beloved sport of Britons living here. It appears to me almost as a religion - with its totems, symbols, secret signs and not-secret-at-all songs being like anthem for its supporters.

As I discovered here, Mancunians divide themselves into those who support Manchester United and those who would give their lives and souls to Manchester City. Simply as that - black and white, that's it. Full stop. You cannot really pass either of those supporters without wondering - why it is so special and important for them to tune their lives into a never ending schedule of football games?

Well, with my journalist-soul and a little bit of incentive from Mario, I decided to fell a little bit of this 'religion' on myself.

First - Manchester United - playing hard to drive back Juventus Turin's attacks. Again, no offense Man Utd supporters, but even though I am not an expert in football, I could see Manchester wasn't really in shape that day. The result nil:nil. OK then, human-wave made 5 times was impressive, I admit, so were the songs and those guys shape. Did I love it? Well, I liked enough to overcome the regrettable lack of ....commentators :)

presentation of Manchester United Team
Champions

a little bit of training before the match

both teams just before the match

go, boys! go!

dangerous situation

crowdy...

With a hunger for more, with a smile on our faces and energy in our hearts, Mario and I went to see how Manchester City "welcomes" AC Milan here in OUR CITY. That was better match, at least in terms of energy and speed we experienced. This time "we" won 1:0 to friends from Italy.

Mario in front of Manchester City Stadium

Manchester City team before the match

supporters

precision in every move

Did those experiences made me crazy-talking, blue or red T-shirt-wearing, big fan of either one of those teams? I am not sure, really. Do you want to know what was really good, though? - It was the atmosphere - family, fair-play, weekend, relaxing and good piece of entertainment - are the words I can describe those matches with.

one: nil ...ups!

run run!

Marta and Mario = M&M

:)

After all, isn't exactly that, that drives those thousands of people to those stadiums every time their team plays?....I don't know - you tell me!

good feeling!

Ordsall Hall - The Tudor Mansion Haunted by the White Lady

Not scared by the thought that we can meet the White Lady, we decided to visit this 820 years old mansion - Ordsall Hall. As, apparently, there are such a mysterious and unknown places in Salford we haven't visited before, it was a good idea for a Sunday afternoon.

Cycling occurred to be the best way to travel round Salford Quays. From a view of a Polish person, living in Rzeszow, I can certainly see the difference between the way cycling exists in my home city and here in Manchester. I appreciate plenty of cycling paths, as well as the easiness you and prices you can buy you bike with (mine was ca. 20 quid).

In front of the Ordsall Hall

Mario in the back yard

Entrance

Coming back to the Ordsall Hall, it is truly one of those places, were you can feel the spirit of old, XV-century, English Manor. You are being welcomed here with traditional black-and-white decorations called trefoils, which indicates "three leaves", this symbolises.

Trefoils

Next, you enter a wide room fulled with decorations and authentic objects from Tudor's times. This gives you a bit of an understanding of the way people lived those times. But what really is great about that place is the way we can interact with it.

Where a dinner used to take place

Mario inside Ordsall Hall

Royal Bed

Here and there you can find a little art craft section, where both kids, parents and really everyone, can enjoy trying to do some art based on XV-century decorations.

Mario and a bit of his craft

DIY: one orange + some cloves + some creativity = good fun!

one of the rooms is a harbor for a old ship
Here: Mario as a captain

living on a ship - like the idea!

welcome to XV-century kitchen

But beware! Ordsall Hall is also a home of a mysterious White Lady, known to be a ghost attacking those come here at night. And once again, a similarity between Poland and England are being highlighted here.

We may have different language, customs and traditions, but both countries have their own "ghosts" - fears and bad lucks we tend to believe... We have our "White Lady" too!
She lives inside us and comes out sometimes, when is dark outside....

cycling far away
Here: Manchester United Stadium

Mario and the Lowry Bridge