Exploring Lincoln

From the visitor moorings where Erin Mae is tied up, it's a short trip under the bridge to Brayford Pool,

where the expanse of water is home to the university marina moorings. Mostly plastic cruisers, but a few narrowboats at one end.

The exit to the Pool marks the start of the River Witham section of the navigation, which will run all the way to Boston. First up is the "Glory Hole".

That appears to be a Victorianification of its older name: "The Murder Hole"! But people we spoke to were divided as to whether it referred to the tunnel, the towpath, or the stairs currently being repaired.

This is apparently the only mediaeval bridge in Britain with active shops and houses on it. Coming up the steps you are on the High Street, and the café looks very welcoming.

As the canal continues under the bridge, it passes beneath the "Empowerment" sculpture, done for the millennium. It carries on though the town centre in the direction of the lock.

But we didn't see anywhere to wind in this stretch, so we shan't be coming here on Erin Mae until next time. We'll have to wind in Brayford Pool, under the watching eye of all the new students arriving for the university term.

The cathedral stands as a sentinel over the city.

This time we caught the bus up the hill. You are never far from a sight of the multiple towers and spires.

Its different bits date from various eras, as is normal for this sort of building. Overall it's a pretty impressive example of its kind.

The inside space soars away upwards. In an age where we are used to skyscrapers and huge atria it's probably easy to be a bit blasé about such things, but it must have been the most amazing experience for people in mediaeval times.

Even the castle just across the square can't compete with its grandeur.

Dotted around the city are even older structures.

Lincoln has a Roman (and pre-Roman) history, and there is a "Roman Trail" to take you round the bits that are still in evidence. Our feet were getting a little weary for that, but I did manage to get the photo I should have taken yesterday, of the aptly named "Steep Hill".

I didn't know there was a competition for Britain's Great Streets. Well, now I do, and I know what won it in 2012. As it continues downhill, it runs into a pretty straight street.

The inhabitants of Lincoln obviously call a spade a spade, and have a definite philosophy in regard to naming roads.

And now our time in Lincoln is coming to an end, and tomorrow we return to Torksey Lock, ready for our second encounter with the River Trent on Saturday. It's been a sunny couple of days here, and we're really glad we decided to come.