A City Visit

Hello Lovelies, here I go with post 701 :0)

On Saturday the sunshine returned and I really wanted to get another family outing in before the end of half term. I would have liked a hilly walk, somewhere new to us would have been nice. But gosh it was cold in the northerly wind and snow was forecast for Derbyshire.

So I had to rethink my plans. Instead we headed for an historic city that I haven't been to for many years............

It has an 11th century  castle and loads of medival buildings ( and lots of lovely smells coming from the burger stall at the farmers market).

 It has thick city walls with dark gateways........

Which lead to a huge Cathedral.........

Awe inspiring.

Have you guessed where it is yet?

Here's a big clue :0)

Yes, were were  in Lincoln

Here we had gone through another gateway in the walls, which lead to pretty and sheltered lawns.

 Where you can gaze up at the Cathedral.........

I think it looks even nicer from this angle.

or gaze down on the Bishops Palace..........

I would  have liked to have a look around here, but we didn't have enough time on this occasion.

Instead we headed for a hill....yay.
Ooooh look,  Steep Hill was winner of Britain's great street in 2012......

Should be good, shall we have a little wander lovelies?

We are at the top of the street and look, it's so narrow and pretty...........

The shops are all independent retailers, I loved this little place that only sold Russian dolls.........

and who doesn't love a hand made chocolate, or maybe a little bling..........

we are about a third of the way down now and suddenly the space opens up, it's quiet a contrast to the shadows of the first part.......

It's a cross roads, but thankfully there's no traffic in this pedestrianised spot. Just rather beautiful music from the busker you can see chatting to the guy leaning on his bike.

With the added golden rays of sunlight flooding in from Michaelgate it really makes this a delightful spot......

Shall we carry on a bit further, it's getting steeper now. How I love the stepped roof lines......

Past the comical, leaning lamp post.........

now we are in  the really steep part, it even has a handrail in case you need it.........

It does remind me of the steep hill where I grew up

The shops continue to delight, vintage bits and bobs anybody?

and I love the tidy little houses...........

and the interesting, really old buildings............

Right at the bottom of the hill there are more mainstream shops and a modern shopping centre ( or Mall). Not so pretty, but what a pleasant riverside setting........

Across the bridge there is a traditional Carousel........

and what do you think to this modern sculpture which spans the river..........

I do like it .....it looks like a couple of Trapeze artists to me.

HERE'S what it's supposed to depict

Everywhere there is a mixture of old and new architecture....as is often the case in our cities.........

But it's the old stuff that really makes me smile...........

Shall we head back up the hill now, past the modern shops and through the castellated gateway.......

past a bit of Art Deco is it?

Then back to the cobbles and a glimpse of the cathedral........

It all looks so gorgeous in the late afternoon sunshine............

and the shops are very tempting..........

Here we are, back at the steepest bit, ready for a workout?...........

Phew, lets linger here again and catch our breath...........

the busker is still playing and the sun has not quiet disappeared.

Gosh the light is BEAUTIFUL here..........

It's nearly time to leave now..............

Just a few more minutes to gaze in shop windows and smile at pretty café's........

Then it's goodbye lovely Lincoln...........

maybe we can visit the castle next time.............It's having a makeover at the moment.

I do hope you enjoyed walking with us in this character filled, historic spot.

Jacquie x