Christmas on the Ditch

A handful of pictures today for your viewing delight from our Christmas on the Fossditch and Witham. The weather was great for the whole holiday, a little blowy at times but certainly no worse than we have been out in before, unlike the storms of this week!

Christmas day morning was spent lazing around, playing with new gadgets and eating fine food before we headed off in search of a dinner time pint or three, eventually settling on the Sun Inn, Saxilby.

Christmas day at Saxilby

Boxing Day was bright and breezy, so refreshed from a good night’s sleep we set off to find somewhere to spend a few days away from our mooring. We set off through Lincoln and Stamp End Lock and down onto the River Witham beyond, cruising on perfectly quiet waters, only us and the wildlife on the move. We had thought we would moor at Fiskerton Fen, a favourite mooring of ours, but with the wind direction it was a little exposed so we carried on the mile or so further to Bardney Lock. Here the visitor moorings were much more sheltered and had the benefit of electricity and water on tap. The moorings here are still very pleasant and remote but within easy walking distance (1.5 miles) of Bardney village and the local shops and pubs.

Boxing Day on the River Witham

A pleasant winter scene

Bardney Lock Visitor Moorings

We decided to visit the remains of Bardney Abbey whilst we were in the village. It is a very pleasant walk along a lovely and unspoilt lane, past private residences, farm houses and through a farm yard. The remains have been covered with to protect them from the elements, however here and there you can catch a glimpse of the magnificent stonework that once stood proud amongst the fields. The hummocks and hills in the enclosure each hide a feature of the once stunning building, information boards around the site show pictures of the remains and plans of the former Abbey buildings making distinguishing the individual buildings and features all the easier.

The remains of Barndey Abbey