On Thursday we drove over to Spalding in Lincolnshire to visit some friends. We had a lovely lunch in a pub by the riverside and then a wander around the town. Spalding has altered so much since we left in 1995. It was nice to go back and look at where I used to work.
This is Ayscoughfee Hall Museum, a 15th century red brick house at the side of the River Welland. I used to work in the room whose window is just to the right of the black door in the photo below. This was just behind the main hall and reception area which was then a Tourist Information Centre as well.
I was too busy enjoying myself to take many photos but we did visit a new place called the - Red Lion Quarter - where there was a restaurant and a shop full of mostly local produce. We also popped into - Sergi's Deli - down the Hole in the Wall - Mr Sergison, who took part in the recent TV series called 'Turn Back time - The High Street' was behind the counter and had a chat with us. We then visited 'The Bookmark' a wonderful local, independent bookshop that has regular visits and talks by well known authors and then we had afternoon tea in the outdoor courtyard at Pennington's florist and gift shop.
After saying farewell to our friends we set off across the Cambrdgeshire fens to Ely. Once we'd settled into our accommodation we took a late evening stroll along the riverside - photo above - and around the Cathedral.
View from parkland at the back of the Cathedral
The next morning we moved on to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. A whole morning was spent here gazing at the aircraft.
The Flying Fortress
Concorde 101
RE8 - a world war one spotter plane
In the afternoon we visited the Wimpole Estate. The Hall doesn't open on Fridays but we had a wander around the gardens and the home farm.
The Hall from the Dutch garden
The Walled Garden
Two lovely, noisy residents of the home farm - Clementine and Daisy.
I'll be back with more on Wimpole Hall later this month as we are off on our travels again so I'm taking a break for a while.
I'll be back with more on Wimpole Hall later this month as we are off on our travels again so I'm taking a break for a while.
You certainly got around during your two days! I keep meaning to visit Wimpole Home Farm on my way down to Suffolk but so far haven't made it. Have fun on your travels.
ReplyDeleteLovely pics.
ReplyDeleteI love Wimpole Hall. We visit the Home farm every year in April at lambing time - have done since the kids were small. Something you never grow out of, I think!
ooh, what lovely photos of some really great places. I love Ely Cathedral - fell in love with it on our first visit to the area many years ago and then, when we took my (late) mother there, some years later, after I'd rhapsodized about the Cathedral long and often, the building was scaffolded inside! Yes, it was necessary work on the lantern tower, but it certainly spoiled the magnificent view of this fine structure.
ReplyDeleteMargaret P
As always your pictures are great. You have more energy than me, can't believe how many things you did in 2 days.
ReplyDeleteYou packed such a lot in within two days! Have fun travelling. I hope the weather picks up for you. x
ReplyDeleteYou are such a gad-about!! What an action packed couple of days. The museum where you worked looks lovely. xxxxx
ReplyDeleteYou seem to have made the most of your trip! Ely catherdral is on my list of places to visit one day!
ReplyDeletelots of lovely places, you packed a lot into two days!
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Lovely postcards from Spalding! Have fun!
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Ely Cathedral is a truly magnificent building. I hope to visit it one day....
ReplyDeleteMarie x
Rosie, how wonderful to learn about all these things thru you. Hope you are well and getting closer to the seaside cottage you dream of!
ReplyDeleteI see you are almost in my neck of the woods Rosie. I have written about Ely on a couple of occasions. The cathedral is known as the 'Ship of the Fens! Wimpole Hall is lovely too.
ReplyDeleteHope you are enjoying your holiday and I look forward to more of your travels.
Jeanne
x
You had a packed two days! Sounds brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI had to look it up to check, but we visited Wimpole Hall when my boys were very little.
Ely is a place which I've only ever seen from the train. It looks worth a visit!
hello there, this comment is really intended for your most recent post - hug a cushion - but couldn't find a way to leave it there (must be the red wine I am swigging)... loved hug a cushion shot :-) my boys do that too (and I do... am now actually). Helen x
ReplyDeleteLovely post Rosie, and more great places highlighted to visit. I love herbaceous borders, and like your pics of the aircraft too (yet to visit Duxford). I enjoyed the series TBT - The High Street, and remember Mr Sergison! x
ReplyDeleteHi there hope you read this before Thursday night. We are going on a day on the train to Shrewsbury on ~Friday and as you are a well travelled blogger, have you been there and if so can you tell me any part of it we can have time to visit in the 3 hours we have there coming from the station? This is a slim chance but you know how it is you can spend 3 hours wandering aimlessly. We like nice parks and small independent shops. Can you help??
ReplyDeleteHi there Alchamillamolly - If you come out of the station at Shrewsbury and go up towards the town centre you will find quite a few nice places. The park and riverside walk are interesting and attractive - the park was looked after for years by Percy Thrower - you can see Shrewsbury School on the opposite side of the river. If you walk up past the castle, down St Mary's and Dogpile onto Wyle Cop there are lots of lovely shops in that area also on the High Street and Market Place- period shops,fabric shops, household shops, gift shops all selling pretty things. The museum is interesting but in a state of flux at the moment as it is moving premises. Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteNever knew Spalding was so attractive, must visit it next time I am in the area.
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