A Ricardian Day.

Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th July 2019 in Leicester.
Our lovely neighbours on "Spotted Eagle" set off early. They originally hoped to do the Leicester Ring on their two weeks' holiday.

However, they decided that stopping to see things is more fun - so we may see them again on their way back!

We have two days in hand and so decided that we would spend it looking around this interesting city. The whole of the centre has been pedestrianised, it is very busy - and very clean. We saw no less than three of these cleaning machines working all day both days. Certainly something that you would never see in Reigate or Redhill!

On Monday evening, we had booked tickets for the "Little Theatre" for the opening night of "Dick Barton, Secret Agent" (the play Karen is involved in).

Those of a certain age will remember the very successful weekly radio show on the BBC in the 1950s. The evening's show was a riot, absolutely hilarious, very risque in parts with much adult innuendo and a brilliant performance by the six members of the cast, all of whom were excellently "over the top" in true 1950's radio style. A fabulous evening.
The theatre was close enough for us to walk both ways. The Cathedral by night looked vey impressive.

As did the statue of King Richard III.

On Tuesday morning, we moved several hundred yards down river to a different mooring by Friar's Mill where there is a pontoon and a water point, as we were getting low on water.

In that short distance, the character of the city changed, presenting a more industrial side, although that looks set to change as we are moored up next to a massive development of apartments for rent.

If the publicity pictures are to be believed, the development will transform the river frontage - and the mooring!

The morning was devoted to the Richard III Exhibition, which is outstanding. In the "King's Hall", used for conferences, is a wonderful portrait of the King.

It is composed of thousands of tiny photographs of people and places involved with the discovery of King Richard. Close up, you can see the way it was created.

Even R's capuccino in the centre's café was themed to the exhibition.

In the afternoon, we did a guided tour of the Cathedral. Our guide, Andrew, was first class and we were lucky enough to have him to ourselves, so we were able to take our time and talk to him about his experiences being associated with the Cathedral for many years. He was there on the first morning of King Richard's "lying in state" in the Cathedral, with no idea of the level of interest that there might be from the public. He said that they had to revise their plans very rapidly when the Dean arrived to say that there was a five hour long line of people outside waiting to get in!
In front of the Cathedral is the striking statue of King Richard. It is very difficult to photograph successfully due to the surrounding buildings and the overhanging trees but we did our best.

We had read in our guide books about Mrs Bridges Tea Room, described as "timeless".

In the charming little courtyard behind, we had what was probably the classiest cream tea ever. It was delicious.

Today: Only a few hundred yards.