Exploring local

Today 3rd June, I was keen to explore the abbey in Crowland, part of which is a historic ruin. The original Abbey was built on the site in 716 in honour of St Guthlac who had lived and died in Crowland in 714. The current Abbey and ruins were the 4th version, started in 1144 and added to over 400years. The main structure is still used but some exterior parts are now ruins..the oldest readable headstone I saw is from 1680.

It is believed that Hereward and his wife are buried here. “Hereward the Wake (Traditional pronunciation /ˈhɛ.rɛ.ward/,^[1] modern pronunciation /ˈhɛ.rɪ.wəd/^[2]) (c.1035 – c.1072) (also known as Hereward the Outlaw or Hereward the Exile) was an Anglo-Saxon nobleman and a leader of local resistance to the Norman Conquest of England.”

Across the road was a very old thatched cottage and then Trinity Bridge.  This limestone bridge was built in 1360 but replaced wooden bridges from 943. It is a 3 way structure that bridged the rivers Welland and Nene until the 19th century when the rivers were diverted away. Then it became a gathering place for “bridge talk”.

We then headed to the “Bubble car Museum”, which is a cute little museum displaying mainly bubble cars and other weird and wonderful little cars and motorbikes from the 1950’s. It also has some scenes of life and memorabilia from that time.

Popped into the cafe Lisa works at for a nice cuppa in the garden courtyard, sitting in the lovely sunshine (at last) and finished off the day having a BBQ with the other cousins. Heading off from Lincolnshire tomorrow