Leaving Farndon I pass a massive obelisk commemorating local landowner Roger Barnston. Major Barnston, whose family owned land in the area for more than 600 years, served in the Crimean War. He died in India, at the age of 31, on 23 December 1857 from wounds sustained at the Siege of Lucknow in the Indian Rebellion.
I soon realise that my planned route for the day follows chunks of the Deva Triathlon - I dodge speedy cyclists.
I reach the village of Aldford, passing Blobb Hill, I cross the River Dee at the iron bridge which goes across to land owned by the Duke of Westminster. The current Duke, the 9th richest man in Britain, largely avoided paying inheritance tax (on a fortune of 9 billion) when his father died last year - which prompted calls for a review of the law around inheritance tax. The footpath doesn't venture very far onto the large estate.
The footpath runs along the river.
I leave the river at Eccleston, taking the route of the old Roman road into Chester.
Reaching the city itself and passing the triathlon finish line, I wander through the centre - part historic, part Victorian invention.
The Roman amphitheatre
