Touring The Fens Looking For Ancestors

Another bright, sunny day was cause to saddle up the pony and travel some of the many small lanes that crisscross the fens. Sunday sees less traffic so that the open vistas of Lincolnshire are more easily seen as you weave your way from village to village.

We stopped at Langtoft to look at the church of St Michael All Angels which was open. A surprisingly large building holding a brightly lit space almost free of stained glass. Building dates from the 13 C.

We reached Crowland in time for lunch and a quick half at a local hostelry. The Abbey is a monolithic building. The ruins of the old monastic buildings, that are attached to the what was the naive and aisles, were demolished in the mid 16 C. It was in the early 8 C that a religious community was started here. Interestingly, the original settlement was, in the 8 C, on a island in the fens.

Peterborough Cathedral beckoned. After a frustrating drive round-about roundabouts,  we got there. What a building! Founded in the Anglo-Saxon period and rebuilt in the 12 C, this magnificent Norman building is an startling example of such architecture. Arches upon arches, colourful ceilings, fan vaulting and the last resting place of Katherine of Aragon; what else could you ask for?


Back to the ranch via some very interesting byways. A good day in glorious sunshine ...