The Water of Life

It’s hospital day again, and the usual long day. I decided to do things a little differently today, so as Chester is fairly close by I travelled there to have a look at the cathedral and the Storyhouse and new market on Northgate. My first visit for it must be at least four years.

The image is a sculpture in the Garth, which is the name given to the cloister garden. Originally, when this was a Benedictine abbey, this would have been a working area growing herbs and other useful plants. The square pool acted as a reservoir and fish pond, with water piped in from two miles away. The sculpture - which apparently represents the parable of the Samaritan woman who encounters Jesus at the well and is converted by him - has a green patina created by the oxidisation of copper in the metal. The posh term for the oxidisation is verdigris.

Thanks to Steveng for hosting