Lincoln 🇬🇧 30kms 🚴‍♀️

An interesting day today as I cycled to the International Bomber Command Centre, museum and memorial related to Lancaster Bombers.

I arrived shortly before a guided tour by a passionate volunteer.

The centre only opened in 2018 and has been thoughtfully built, from the gardens to the memorial and the museum. The gardens have a section for each of the continents with plants from that region forming a garden. Information about how many Lancaster Bomber crew were supplied per co tinent is listed on an informational sign. Australia supplied around 50,000 crew. 

 Overall, 44% of Lancaster bomber crew were killed in action with the average age only 23yrs at time of death. The highest attrition rate of any military division worldwide. The aircraft were manned by 7 crew, many very young.

The flat Lincoln area had many air bases during WWII.  

The memorial garden has a huge spire which represents the wingspan of a Bomber, tip to tip. The names of those who died in the line of service are engraved on huge plaques in alphabetical order. They also have the silhouettes of an actual crew of 7 who perished when their auto pilot feature became jammed and they were unable to turn it off. After a wander through the museum I cycled through some quaint villages to the river and canal and followed it back into town.

I realised I have few days left in England and so sought out a scone with jam and clotted cream, served from a bakery that has been operating since 1902, in a Tudor building built in the 1100's, looking up the cobbled street to the Guildhall with the Cathedral in the background. Doesn't get more British than that ✅

I then cycled up the hill to the Bishops Palace. The role of Bishop was quite a powerful and influential role and the Lincoln area large. The Bishops Palace built in 1163 has large sections still remaining. It's had sections rebuilt following an earthquake and a civil war attack. A large portion is the original build. The audio tour brings it alive and I spent an hour appreciating the features of the buildings, vineyard, gardens and chapel.

Tonight we had excellent fish and chips for dinner,

I've done my washing and bike and bag packed ready for an early flight in the morning. I have been incredibly blessed by Bob and Amy and the kids who have opened their home, provided generous hospitality, a warm bed, lovely meals, cycle guidance, history of the city, tips on what to visit and all with a welcoming smile to an almost stranger. Thankyou so much 😊