Spalding

For someone who is laying low I seem to be quite active.  What would I have done without Graham?  He is a great friend who loves to show off the country he genuinely adores and knows everything about.  On Saturday he took me to Spalding which is south of Grimsby and about a two hour drive.  It's claim to fame is flowers and annually hosts a flower parade.  The fields leading into the town are covered with plastic, acres and acres of plastic protecting the small flowers which are breaking through the soil.
We visited the Ayscoughfee Hall which is now a museum and garden.  It was here that Graham was reminded of another local sight, a three sided bridge in Crowland.
It must be noted that it was freezing, it was only about 2-4 degrees and windy.  It was certainly one of the coldest days we have had this year.

The local theatre.

Smells of spring Hyacynth.

An old water tower.

The most beautiful thatched roof.

These are from the inside of Ayscoughfee Hall.  It was originally a home and then a private school and now a museum.

I love these trees.  This is a Monkey Puzzle tree.  Above close up and below the full view.

The gardens at Ayscoughfee and aviary budgies.

This is the three way bridge in Crowland.  It is the only one in Britain, built in 1435 and originally had water running through.

Can you guess what this was? No, well it was a step to mount your horse with.

Crowland Abbey.

Close up of the archway seen above, have I mentioned I love the zoom on my new camera?

Windmill in Silsby and grist mill stone.

Now that's the last till Barcelona, I think.

All's quiet..

on the East coast.
I've been purposely quiet in leu of my trip to Barcelona.  In fact the most I've done is walk to church(last week).  And I bring hope to all my Canadian friends and family that spring is on it's way.
Jim and I have booked our flights and a place to stay now we have to build some kind of itinerary.  I can't wait.

Crocus' at Grimsby Minster

People's park

In Boston

Boston Uk that is.  It is half term break this week and in order to save some money for my trip to Barcelona next month, I have opted to stay at home.  However, my friend Graham invited me to go to Boston with him today.  Boston was the port from which the Mayflower sailed and such the reason for the namesake of Boston Massachusetts.  Luckily it was a gorgeous day.

This is St Botolph's (Boston Stump).  If you look 2/3 up the tower you will see a balcony going all around the tower.  Yes, yes I did walk up and I know that I never have to doit again.

This is the boat seen above.  I love the zoom on my new camera, and the panorama.

 Looking up the tower from the balcony.

An inside view up the centre of the tower.

These posts are at the ends of the choir pews.

I love these doors.  The door is so large that it has a small door to get in and out of.

A beautiful example of a timber build (Tudor style) from 1439.

A business card you don't want to receive.

We visited a museum where the prison cells were below and the court house above.  The show  "Who do you think you are?" was filmed here when Ashley Judd was looking into her ancestry.  It turned out a family member of hers was imprisoned here during his fight for religious freedom (as were many others).  But, when he was freed he and one other person made their way to America.  Below are the stairs leading from the prison cells up into the courthouse.

Lunchtime, fish and chips.

Love, love this windmill.

A gas station on a main street in a nearby town, still in operation.

Museum/library in the same town but I can't remember the name for the life of me.

Next time you hear from me I will probably be in Barcelona woo hoo.