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Oh, how beautiful is that light show! I have to tell you that Durham is my favorite cathedral in all of England. It has such a special atmosphere - partly, I think, because it is home to St. Cuthbert & the venerable Bede. I'll never forget the kind volunteer who, upon noticing that I was American, grabbed me almost as soon as I walked through the door and took me to see the Washington family shield in the cloisters, explaining that that was where the stars and stripes on the American flag came from. I just love Durham.

I am shocked to hear that Chester-le-Street is older than Durham, though! You would never guess it.

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Ummmm there are parts of ClS that may date from the stone age! 😉. Yes that light show was something else - I only posted a fraction of the photos I took. Oh yes, Washington has its claim to fame here and of course we have our Philadelphia in northeast England. And amazingly its named after that in the USA as the English chap who founded the town here, was so impressed by the USA's fight for independence from Britain (we've always been our own people in northeast England 😉). When Jimmy Carter visited northeast England he stole everyone's hearts as did US Grant. Many US Presidents visit the Uk - very few venture this far north.

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That's too bad - it's such a beautiful part of the country. I forgot about Philadelphia, I'm sure I thought our Philadelphia was named after that Philadelphia and not the other way around.

It's funny, I'm usually pretty good about researching a town's history when I stay there, but I didn't see beyond the chain pubs and charity shops in Chester-le-Street. Is it related to Chesters Roman Fort, I wonder?

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It does date from Roman times but it was a fort in its own right built in support of Hadrian's Wall and sitting on a major Roman road hence (le-street). As you know there are many 'chesters' around England, Winchester, Manchester etc and of course Chester itself. All from the Roman Castra meaning fort or camp.

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You know when someone points out something that should have been obvious all along? I had somehow never made the connection between all of those chesters before.

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Sorry Harry - and the first thing I should have said was how interesting your essay was!

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Thanks Jodi - that's very kind of you .

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Fascinating, Harry. The more I learn about the northeast, the more I realise what a gem it is.

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Indeed Maureen - a somewhat unsung gem. If nothing else I hope it gives my readers an insight into the area beyond trains, coal and ships.

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