Ali and Julian Travels


Spilsby, Lincolnshire		Week 43 27th February 2012

		And back to Spilsby to see Tim and Angela again. The dogs, Spike and Amos, took us for a walk to Old Bolingbroke. Old to distinguish it from New Bolingbroke. St Peter and Pauls Church was built about 1363.

		The castle was built in about 1220. A similar design to one further south, though built from less hardy materials. Its known what it would have looked like but the local sandstone erodes easily. Birthplace of Henry IV. When his father died the castle and lands reverted to the state. So in a bit of a huff he raised an army and overthrew the king. About 1399.

		Spike followed Amos down the wall but slipped. Lots of noise but fortunately not much damage. Angela, Ali, Amos and Spike waited while Tim and I hoofed it back to Spilsby to collect the car. We took the long way round rather than up the hill.

		The grotesques atop the church.

		And the prettiest little cottage .....

		Master craftsman Tim fashioning a rolling pin. Why will be answered later.

		The Trader River flows through Sibsey. Hence the 6 sailed windmill at Sibsey. Its a Smock Mill (named Dutch Mills elsewhere). A fixed tower with just the turret at the top to turn. The sails are made of lots of veins. There's a weight hanging off the back of the mill that keeps them closed so they act to turn the sails until a strong enough gust of wind opens them. Self regulating speed.

		The bottom of the mill. There are currently 3 grinding wheels. There were originally four but that was a bit cramped.

		The governor also plays a role in speed control. The faster the wheels turn the more grain can be fed in. Adjusted by the governor.

		The bottom fixed stone and top rotating one. The grain is introduced into the center by the feeder table. The gate on the feeder table is adjusted by the governor.

		Oat Groats, Kamut Grain, Wheat Grain, Spelt Grain, Barley, Rye and Maize are all ground here.

		A full bag of flour is replaced with an empty one.

		There's a cuckoo clock opposite keeping us occupied while drinking tea. Bakewell tarts, , Chorley cakes, and scones.

		Gunby Hall. Looked after by English Heritage, but the tea shop was closed.

		Sprouts in the walled veggie garden.

		And crocuses in the formal garden.

		Not sure if the tree expert caused the problem ..... Much better than the usual "danger - keep out".

		The sitting room. People rent the house and live in it. Just have to be wary of visitors on a few days a week. There's a staff member in every room with lots of stories to tell.

		The dining room. Family motto was on the beam in the center. Something about being spartan!

		And so onwards again. What a restless life.... First time over the Humber Bridge. A significant engineering fete in its day. Mid 1970's. The towers are sufficiently far apart that the tops are further apart than the bottoms to account for the curvature of the earth.

York, Yorkshire		Week 43 29th February 2012

Gateway

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