The Pied Pipers

Surprisingly, we finally made it on our way down the expressways of England! We learned to pass on the right, hop curbs, and used a smashing good toilet on the way. They use the word toilet all the time, so we think we should:). Besides we are on our way to sounding like proper English women, so we need to practice all the time. I asked one person where the "restroom" was and she directed me to a restaurant. I used the word "toilet" and she pointed upstairs. It pays to pick up on a few things!

We're learning more than we could ever imagine on our journey. For example, I learned that offering an Englishman a euro doesn't go over well. It's just like the English to refuse anything from the French! See how much history we are learning!

Hat Shop in Chester

Upon arrival in Chester, we were directed where to park downtown from the lovely receptionist at our hotel(Bawn Lodge...wouldn't recommend it, but okay for the night). Since the city center was only a mile away, we figured it wouldn't be too hard to find. Well, since Battys believe in tradition, we missed the car park and instead ended up on the top floor of a parking garage. Turns out the down elevator dumped us off right in the middle of a grocery store. What luck! It's following us everywhere. Tempting as it was to explore the aisles, we had limited time. Away we went on foot in search of the Dickens-like buildings we'd seen on the Internet.

As we zipped our jackets tightly, leaned into the wind, and resisted the spray (that's what they call rain), we climbed to the top of the wall, no small feat mind you, and tromped around with cameras clicking. Sue tested many park benches as the rest of us were in and out of stores. It never takes a Batty long to leave an expensive store and there were plenty. Since that didn't take long, and we were starving and thirsty again...it was time to start yet another pub crawl.

But wait, where was Deb's shopping bag? Could she have left it at another store? Could she be carrying on the Batty tradition of leaving offerings of random objects in different cities? Frantically, Deb and Kim raced back to the store (now closed), and banged on the glass front door making truly American gestures to the sales clerk in the WAY back of the store. With a lovely smile, the gal unlatched the door for us, and said, "Oh yes, I tried to catch you, but I didn't know which way you'd gone off."

Deb's eye widened. A palpable pause took place, and Kim wondered if this was the place where the English might get a taste of an American rant. Low and behold, the English would have to wait because the gal said, "I gave your bag to Jack."

Jack? We knew plenty of jackasses, but no actual Englishmen...yet. It turns out we'd meet Jack soon enough because he was at the very pub we were headed to! And people think the Irish have all the luck. Once inside the Pied Bull (who names these places?), Deb sees a worthy Englishman pointing at her. It's her lucky day! She spots her bag and Jack. Turns out he was a proper Englishman and not a jackass! We're all happy and it was time to celebrate another amazing day.

After a lovely meal, we headed through the now desolate town. As we turned the corner to go back to the parking ramp through the grocery store (the only way to the parking lot), we stopped in shock. The grocery store metal shades had been pulled down and the ramp was locked and and closed...that's us walking up the parking ramp wondering if we will be able to get out through the closed gate! With a little ingenuity and LUCK, we were able to exit the parking garage. Fortunately, the little wooden arm lifted as we approached it. If it didn't, it was safe to say I would have crashed through!!