Thursday 19 May 2011

First port of call.











Yes, some of you guessed correctly - it was Lincoln Cathedral. Although I originally come from Lincoln, I have not been back to explore it for fifty years - and my how it had changed.

To start with there is a University of Lincoln now, so that the city is full of young people - that makes it so vibrant compared with what it used to be like.
Morning AJ correctly guessed just about where we were staying to get that view of the cathedral from our bedroom window. We stayed in the White Hart Hotel which is just a stone's throw from the West front.

I managed to walk (with my arthritic knee!) down Steep Hill, along through the Usher Gallery Grounds with their very pretty flower bed, up Lindum Hill and back up Greestone Stairs, past my old school, Lincolm Girls' High School. This school moved from this building many years ago and the building is now part of the University - but isn't it a splendid red brick edifice?

Then, naturally, we went into the Cathedral. I was sad to see that the lovely old wooden chairs in the nave had been replaced with blue plastic ones, which just don't seem to fit in with the beauty of the surroundings. Then I thought - if they are more comfortable, then perhaps that is what matters.

In the afternoon we caught the Walk and Ride bus outside the hotel and went into Downtown Lincoln, walked along the side of the River Witham through Glory Hole and sat awhile on the side of the Brayford Pool. The farmer counted sixty swans but we couldn't see the two famous black ones. Then we walked back up to the hotel, finding just two shops which were still there from the days when I lived there - lovely to see them.

Delicious food in the evening - sadly I have gained three pounds during our ten days away - so getting that off is my next job. Every pound for me means increased blood pressure, so I can't allow it to happen. I have put on a photograph of one breakfast so that you can see how tempting the food was!

18 comments:

Reader Wil said...

Thanks for all the beautiful photos you showed. I love old English cathedrals. I am always impressed by the fact that people at the time of the building of the cathedrals could make such intricate ceilings.The ceilings are often so exquisite that I wonder how they were constructed. They force you to look up all the time unless there are mirrors on tables as I saw in one of the cathedrals in east England.

Robin Mac said...

I just loved the austerity of Lincoln Cathedral when I visited in 1990 - and there were no chairs at all in the cathedral then! I am not sure if they had all been removed for some special event which we were not told about. I am surprised you only gained 3 lbs if that breakfast is a sample of what you were tempted with! So glad you have been on holiday and not ill. Cheers

steven said...

hello weaver, did i say york? i meant to say lincoln! ha! i've seen both and they're quite different. note to self: don't answer questions first thing in the morning. steven

Pondside said...

Lincoln is a city about which I know very little - must do some googling.
Don't beat yourself up over those three pounds - they are tourist pounds and will disappear as quickly as they came on!

MorningAJ said...

I love the photos! I moved to Lincoln after completing my journalism training in 1976. I stayed till about 1980 or thereabouts. I was a reporter on the Chronicle (now sadly defunct!) and Washingborough was in my patch(North Kesteven) until the last year when I moved out to Market Rasen office. (But lived in Scorer Street, down by the football ground)

I shared a house with the daughter of the Archdeacon so I had lots of chance to see behind the scenes at the cathdral.

Dave King said...

It's obvious from the writing and the photographs how much you enjoyed it. Thanks for both.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Don't talk to me about gaining weight on holiday! I discovered custard tarts when I was in London!! They have only recently disappeared, thank the Lord! But you know, those tarts were sooooo worth it!

Oh, it looks like you had a glorious time!! Beautiful pictures!!

angryparsnip said...

Don't you love it when any city has a University... and it does seem so much more vibrant. So happy Your Lincoln is doing so well and by your photos looking wonderful ! Love the sculpture over the river, I must now google Lincoln to see what I am missing.

cheers, parsnip

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Fresh raspberries, french toast, sixty -- 60 -- swans? I can't imagine how beautiful.

Often seems odd to revisit where I've been. To place myself, or another version of myself, in another time.

Hildred said...

Beautiful photos Weaver, - I remember the marvelous stained glass windows in Lincoln Cathedral, and especially, of course, the one dedicated to Bomber Command which we saw while on a Squadron Reunion.

Unknown said...

Wow, you went to school in the red building? Lucky you! My sense is that your pics are just a small part of your trip -wonderful, Weaver!
Good luck with getting the pounds off:)

Cloudia said...

glad you enjoyed your dear self!




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Pomona said...

I have never been to Lincoln but it looks very beautiful. I hope you manage to lose your three pounds very soon!

Pomona x

Crafty Green Poet said...

I've never been to Lincoln! What a lovely cathedral!

H said...

Is that last photo an artistic bridge or just an amazing sculpture? I like it very much!

My old school was also an impressive buiding. Unfortunately, it was closed and fell into disrepair. The building was demolished some years ago.

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Oooh what beautiful photos, Weaver! Starting with the very delicious looking breakfast. Lincoln looks like a very lovely place - we will have to try an intergalactic visit there one day!

I love your bluebell header too. Is that Thorp Perrow Arboretum?

Eryl said...

I remember being surprised by how lovely Lincoln was the one, and only, time I visited which must be almost twenty years ago now.

I love a university town, all those young, vibrant minds milling about.

Breakfast looks wonderful, it's a wonder you only put on three pounds!

MarmaladeRose said...

Tempting is not the word, I'm reading your post at 2am and now my tummy is rumbling!