Run (and lunch) in Chester, if you can get there...

It started well, and went downhill quickly. Not the run; this was Chester after all, so not much in the way of hills. Also not really the date. As that was what the run was part of; a third date. The issue was getting there. 

I got on the train without issues, and it set off eastward in a promising way. But before we reached the first stop  there was an announcement: there was a technical problem and the train would terminate at the next stop. There would be a replacement bus service. Great. 

I got on the bus. It was filled up all the way. And we were off! But we were on the slow coastal road, as the stations between Bangor and Chester are a bit more seaward than the dual carriageway. This was getting slow. And at some stops, the bus driver had to wait a bit to let other thwarted rail users get on.

The back of the bus was full of young folk who had a lot of beer in their luggage. And they had a Bluetooth speaker. They just started a party! There was some loud and uncoordinated singing along to Mamma Mia, and to a cover of Zombie. I think that there would have been a dancefloor if the trip would have been only marginally longer. And all the beer required an improvised stop to let some ladies have a wee between a lorry and a corn field. I was glad I had an emergency flask and sandwich with me. 

I finally reached Chester close to 2 PM, although I should have been there at 12:17.  And we would leave for the Great Gatsby at 16:30. Plenty of time, but much more than having lunch and getting ready wasn’t going to happen! 

The play was lovely, as I already pointed out. And after that we just had some tea and called it a night. And yes I did stay over, and no not in the same room. I know there would be questions!

The next day the plan was: go for a run, and go for lunch. And we did! We did a lovely loop that started in Chester proper, and had a big loop in the rather green area between the river Dee and the A483. On the one side it was fields; on the other it was woodland,  associated with an estate. And it rained beforehand and afterwards, but the actual run was dry.

the Dee

While we were running together I tried to remember what the previous time was I went for a run with someone. I wasn't quite sure, but I knew it was years ago! In 2015 I had several running partners, like Gordy and Coleen. And I know I ran with my niece once, but I can't find that, so I'm not quite sure how long ago that was. I think that was later! I mean, in 2015 she was a bit on the young side to go for a run together. Especially as she was the navigator. But either way; I enjoyed that! We were not perfectly matched regarding speed but that's okay. I hope I can lug him along one of my running routes well in the not-too-distant future!

Lunch afterwards was good too! A nice contrast of sweaty muddy running, and then having a civilised lunch in a café all brushed up. Maybe here in Wales we can combine a run in the Carneddau with lunch in the Green Olive one day!