A Trip to Lincoln

With my wife having joined the heaving tide of humanity in Lincoln for the Christmas Market, I slipped away on my folding bike for a day ride along the Water Rail Way, which is part of Route 1 of the NCN running alongside the River Witham between Lincoln and Boston, a distance of about 33 miles.

Construction of this route has been on-going for some years now, and groups of Derby Rangers have been along to several of the opening ceremonies, culminating in October 2008 when the final section was opened. The fact that there was usually a celebratory hog roast on offer might have been a contributory factor.
Today, t'was fine winter sunshine, with a cold wind blowing across the fens. So a gentle ride to Bardney where the Heritage Centre is now open in the old station buildings, and a good place to stop for lunch. I turned round here deciding that my plan to cycle to Woodhall Spa was somewhat ambitious, bearing in mind the wind and the early sunset.
Time, however, to call in at the Barn Garden Centre, a mile or so off route at Five Mile Bridge, for a mug of steaming tea and a Kit-Kat, leaving time to get back to Lincoln by lighting-up time.
Highlight of the day came next, when a barn owl flew alongside me for some distance, it's flight silent in the gathering gloom. I paused to watch it settle on the nearby canal bank where some small creature was no doubt about to become supper.
See next post for photographs. Sadly none of the barn owl, but then no camera could have caught the magic of the moment.