Lazing around until the serious stuff sends it downhill

Sunday 16^th April to Wednesday 19^th April 2017

Sunday was a lovely sunny day and we had a pyjama day – didn’t do anything, just stayed inside reading books and catching up with the iPlayer and other things that we needed to do – mainly resting.

Monday was our nominated cruising day and the relatively short distance (9 miles) was easily achieved; the 2 locks were no bother; a cruise back through the Glory Hole in Lincoln was nice with so many people around and we moored up just in time for Diane to lead me back up the main pedestrian shopping area for another visit to Slug and Lettuce (still 50% off Monday).

The first junction on the way back - we went under the bridge on the right

We saw these sculptures on the way down but couldn't get a good shot - got to
say they are quite good

The Cathedral of Lincoln imposes itself on the surrounding area even today
- imagine what it would have been like in the medieval times when the
church managed to "control" all life

still looming larger the closer you get...

...and even closer - it is omnipresent

Back under the road bridge and into...

...Brayford Pool - practically home

Coffee on the way back to the boat and we continued our relaxation theme for this long weekend.

I am a bit concerned about the Anglican Church (or is it The Church of England) – what with the ongoing debate about female clergy (which I would support if I was part of this organisation, which thank God I am not!) – they are arguing about chocolate companies keeping the wording “Easter Egg” on the packaging instead of just “Egg”, but surely the bigger problem for them is that everyone seems to be referring to this weekend as a bank holiday – just simply a bank holiday – the population has started to forget what it is designated for – not that I am concerned about it at all – I am not at all religious.

We had another couple of days in Lincoln and after getting most of my work done on Tuesday morning we decided that we would take the walk up the hill again, this time to see Lincoln Castle.

Along the way Diane managed to make an appointment with a hairdressing establishment for later in the day – obviously she had it in her mind that she wouldn’t be too exhausted to pop in for a trim.

Luckily for a lot of people there are conveniently placed seats along the hill for weary climbers to rest for a while and take off the mountain climbing gear for a break.

Our previously purchased tickets for combined visits to the Cathedral and Castle meant that we were virtually ready to go and we quickly joined the next tour about to leave as we arrived.

 

She likes a big 'un - cannon that is

I am sure that the 19th century prison didn't look this good -
same layout but no interior designer

Three to a room? - if you were lucky

Mood lighting - I don't think so; conditions were a lot harsher than this

The top windows were the Chief Warders Quarters and from
here he could look out onto prisoners in the exercise yard

Prison Chapel - the cubicles meant that prisoners could not see each other

The grounds of the castle - less crowded today than when 1000 people would have
lived within the walls along with livestock

The cathedral still towers over everything -  even the castle

The volunteers in this country are really amazing and full credit to them all for devoting their time to helping others learn about places such as the castle and the cathedral and similar places in other towns and cities.

We learnt a great deal about the castle and the grounds and the uses over the last 950 years – it has been a castle (well still is really), a prison, still has Lincoln Courthouse and many other functions.

The walls are in truly good condition and as you look around the site you can see that it will stand for a great many more years (might be due to the £22 million that has been spent on it in recent times).

It was the trip down the hill that now caused us concern – the stress on the knee easing oneself down was more that the exertion to lift oneself up the hill in the morning – trouble was that it was Diane that was wilting – and she being so much younger than I am, I now have a problem – who will be the nominated carer for whom?

Taking is easy we both got to the bottom and I left her for her hair date whilst I trudged back to the boat to finish up with the balance of work for the day.

Eventually she made it back and she was summoned to sit still, be quiet and rest up – three things not in Diane’s vocabulary, but by sheer threat she did all three (mark that in the diary).

In the morning she was a lot better but now she has a knee brace on and we cruised up to the services point and then to get the diesel tanks filled but still in the Lincoln area for a few more days.

Just imagine being within the castle and this is over you - still wielding its power

From the castle walls

11 Miles, 2 Locks

YTD:  267 miles (430 km), 154 Locks, 13 Tunnels, 3 Lift Bridges, 3 Swing Bridges

Total: 4899 Miles (7884 km), 3305 Locks, 137 Tunnels, 69 Lift Bridges, 175 Swing Bridges