Away from the cut for a while.

On Friday morning we walked into Weedon where we caught a bus to Peterborough via Northampton where we had to change buses. The trip included passing through some interesting villages including Oundle where we saw the state of the recent flooding.

Our reason for going to Peterborough was to visit and stay with Derek's cousin Pam and her husband John. It was also Johns 67th birthday on Sunday which the whole family plan to celebrate in style at the Sessions House restaurant. The restaurant is in the old court house which was also part of the old 18th century gaol.

Saturday the rain held off long enough for us to drive over to Stamford on the Lincolnshire boundary midway between London and York. The town was the furthest downstream crossing of the river Welland, with part of the old Roman road and now the A1 passing through the town On the way we called into the 16th century Burghley House which wasn't open but we could wander around the grounds which are laid out in lines with Lime tree's. Some of the trees are 300 years old and dying off so they are being replaced with new ones.Originally the home of Lord Burghley who was the treasurer to Queen Elizabeth the first, his lordship had quite a big influence over the development of Stamford. This is also the home of the Burghley horse trials which are an annual event of international fame.

Burghley House and grounds

Walking through Stamford we saw what remains of the old cattle market close to the railway, a huge wooden beam across the main road which used to be the public hanging place and at least 6 churches in very close proximity to each other.

The old cattle market in Stramford

Only 3 of them had spires which can be seen from a distance. As we walked across the park we could see how high the recent flood waters had been but thankfully had receded. The town has not changed a great deal over the centuries with its narrow alleyways and roads no wider than an old horse cart track but it is a very popular place for tourists all year round.

River Welland in Stamford, floods now receding.

The George in Stamford

The old Almshouses in Stamford