Lincoln Christmas Market 2017

Another Christmas market to visit today, this time with Siobhan, my support worker. We didn't need to worry about having to find anywhere to park because a 'park and ride' system was in operation at the Lincolnshire Showground, right next to R.A.F. Scampton where the Red Arrows aerial display team is based. Four of the pilots spent several hours practising some of their aerobatic manoeuvres and we got to see them at close quarters both as we arrived in the car, and again before we set off for home.

Fortunately it wasn't too busy when we reached the city; I would imagine it will get a lot busier for the rest of the weekend - we still struggled to find somewhere to sit down and have our cream teas though by mid-afternoon.

The Christmas market was based along several streets, inside half a dozen or so large marquees, inside The Assembly Rooms, within the castle bailey...and there were even a few stalls inside the cathedral. There was also a mediaeval fair inside the Bishops' Palace but we didn't go inside because we had to pay [it was only £1 though]...maybe it was really because we were a bit short of time. We stayed at the top of the hill and didn't go down Steep Hill to the lower part of the city; I think Siobhan's ankle would be hurting her - not just because of the steep gradient, but also the cobbles which she finds difficult to walk on.

The food market was the largest and best by a long way that I've visited: I bought a game pie and a Christmas pie - there is turkey, pork, cranberries and stuffing inside the Christmas pie.

I have never seen such a colourful display of cheeses.

After a a quick visit to the toilets we entered the castle bailey, looked at the stalls there and then left by the gatehouse at the far end before spending some time exploring the area near to the cathedral.

There is plenty to look at inside the cathedral...

...and many different angles for me to photograph of the outside of the building.

   

On our way home we briefly called at Stow; the church here is quite large and impressive - it's actually an ancient Anglo-Saxon minster.

Fairholmes, Shatton, and Brough

After a quick visit to the toilets and the information centre at Fairholmes I set off walking back down the track along the water's edge until I reached the footpath going uphill through the woods in the direction of the twin peaks of Crook Hill.

It was a bit murky at the start of the walk but then brightened up for a couple of hours before turning quite dark again.

I've not climbed the two summits of Crook Hill before and it was easy enough for me to do today. I found a nice sheltered spot to eat my sandwiches and enjoy the view at the top, but there wasn't much wind today...even up here.

I walked down to the road, passed over Ashopton Viaduct and then soon picked up the Thornhill Trail along the old railway track bed. The farmer at Crookhill Farm was making a lot of noise rounding up his sheep as I passed, swearing at them, slamming gates shut, barking orders to his dog and whacking everything he could reach with his shepherd's crook....I kept a safe distance behind.

I took a bit of time, and about a dozen attempts to get the perfect classic low level Labybower Reservoir photograph featuring Ashopton Viaduct, the houses bathed in sunlight and the twin peaks of Crook Hill in the distance.

Of course there were some lovely views along the stretch I'd just walked, less so the next section heading westwards through Shatton to Brough. I arrived at the Travellers' Rest pub with plenty of time for a cup of tea, which was expensive, and my stool uncomfortable...but at least I was sitting right next to the crackling log fire.

Selby Christmas Market 2017

Another visit to a Christmas market with my friend Justin, and my brother joined us today. I enjoyed today much more than yesterday at Matlock; I haven't been to Selby Christmas Market before and it was a wonderful seasonal atmosphere - most of the stalls were set up inside the abbey.

Matlock Victorian Christmas Market 2017

Another annual trip out to the Matlock Victorian Christmas Market with my friend Justin today. It's always a good day out with plenty of stalls, and things to see...even though it seems to get less Victorian every year.

The Chesterfield bus arrived at Sheffield Interchange after only a few minutes and so we caught it rather than wait thirty minutes for the Matlock bus. I got off at the stop on Knifesmithgate in the town centre so that I could take some photographs of the famous, and iconic, 'Crooked Spire' church before walking down to the bus station to catch the next bus to Matlock. Justin stayed on the bus.

Traffic was slow moving as we arrived at Matlock but fortunately we got to the fish and chips restaurant just in time to get seats. It was busy at the market too, but not as busy as tomorrow will be I bet.

My only purchase today was two large Summer Isles Salmon Pies.