The Imp & The Magna Carta in Lincoln

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The magnificent castle at Lincoln was built in 1068, it was one of the first to be built by the Normans after the defeat of Harold in 1066. It is set high on a hill very near to the Cathedral, which I told you about, here.




According to the Domesday book 166 Saxon homes were cleared to make way for the castle. It dominated the skyline until the Cathedral was built. An original copy of the Magna Cartais displayed in the castle prison.









I use a car park which is situated right next to the castle walls, facing the cathedral. Yesterday when I visited, the clouds were low and heavy rain was forecast.

The famous Lincoln Imp is to be found in the cathedral.



Davina and I were on a mission to buy a christening gown for baby Francesca - and Davina knew just the shop, an added bonus was the fact that there was a sale on.

We looked at every gown and eventually made our selection.



Onward, down Steep Hill ... and the siren call of the Chocolate Shop was too strong to resist ... especially as it was Davina's birthday.

Out of the chocolate shop, turn right and this is what you see....

..the white building is a wonderfully higgledy-piggledy, crowded bookshop - always a great excuse to stop and catch one's breath on the return journey up the hill - our walk continues to the left of the book shop and

down this aptly named hill, the gallery to the left is a superb arts and crafts centre.

This is the approach to the reallysteep part of the hill...it has a gradient of one in seven - and the return journey is a test of stamina and fitness.

I don't mind climbing back up - but I find walking down very frightening when it is wet - I have this irrational fear that I may slip...

Once in the main part of Lincoln we did some more shopping, had a coffee, etc. and thenbegan the trek back up Steep Hill. This is the view from near the bottom, you can see one of the cathedral towers in the distance.

Luckily the hill is packed with interesting little shops, so anyone who is finding it hard going always has an interesting shop window to examine while they catch their breath.

The Jew's House ison Steep Hill. It is one of the earliest (still existing) town houses in England and dates from the mid-twelfth century.

This is the part which leads up to the REALLY steep section, time to pace ourselves and not talk too much!