Went for a trip out with my Dad yesterday, and after a couple of nature reserves recently, we changed it up and headed into town to visit Lincoln Cathedral
Located at the top of town, it dominates the skyline and can be seen for miles around. It is a popular tourist destination, and a place I've visited many times, although not recently. Regardless of your views on Christianity and/or organized religion, you've got to admit it's a beautiful building, and there is a wealth of history and stories linked to it
However, the reason for me was on a more somber note...
Some of you will be aware that my mum passed away last year, at the start of March. It was cancer, which was relatively short and sharp, and by the time the diagnosis was received, it had already progressed too far to be treated.
I can't believe a year has already passed, but to acknowledge the occasion, my Dad and I wanted to head up to the cathedral to light a candle in her memory.
Lincoln Cathedral is a big, touristy destination, with a hefty ticket price to enter, but there is a small room off to the side that that visitors can use to pray, or sit and reflect
I made a small donation into the box, and picked a candle to light
Candle lit, I sat on one of the church pews. Dad came and sat next to me, and we sat in silence together, each deep in our own thoughts.
After some time, and some tears, we gathered ourselves up and headed into the rest of Cathedral. Neither of us are particularly religious, but Mum was, and so we appreciated our surroundings on her behalf, sharing memories and stories as we walked around.
I love this effect, when the light shines through the stained glass windows, it creates this beautiful rainbow pattern on the floor
The cathedral was built in stages in the 11th and 12th century, and as you can imagine, there is a lot of stories to tell about it over the past 800 years. There are a variety of guided tours throughout the day, all led by volunteers... Mum and Dad had been several times before and had done some of the tours, but I hadn't.
When we made our way back to the entrance my Dad had a surprise...
"While we are here I thought I'd book us on to one of the tours that they run..."
Oh, a Roof Tour?
(I'm not overly found of heights, nor am I fond of tight enclosed spaces... I imagine a tour up into the rafters of the Cathedral was going to be full of tight spiral staircases)
"er..."
I looked at him, and he looked so earnest, I just didn't have the heart to refuse
"er... yes sure, thats a great idea!"
As suspected it was full of tiny corridors, and wonky steps
There were 12 of us booked onto the tour, and fair play to the guide, he really knew his stuff
After passing through the room where the bell-ringers performed, we headed up in to the roof of the building itself
I was pleased to find out that the 'roof tour' only wen halfway up, the full tower tour goes all the way up the very top of the towers
The tall spires on the model show how tall it was in the past,
Considering how grand the cathedral is below, the roof was suppressing basic. The wooden beams and joints are immense of course, due to the size of the building
view to the South, looking over the city. You can see for miles, and in turn the Cathedral itself can be seen for miles around
The view to the west shows Lincoln Castle... the open space between the castle and the cathedral is called, unsurprisingly, 'Castle Square'!
Despite the chaotropic spaces, even I had to admit that the views were worth it!
This is looking down into the nave, the main section of the Cathedral itself
There was just one tiny little corridor to get through, in which the guide pointed out some medieval 'Graffiti'...
Apparently, this stuff is everywhere... in this image you can see 3 pieces... there was a Charlse Fisher in 1734, the initials C.C. in 1818, and then some unknown figures. Suggestion for these range from Ninja Turtles(!), Men with pipes from the Victorian era, and maybe even Norman Soldiers from the 1600's
Guess the problem with graffiti is not a new phenomenon!
With an awkward spiral staircase to finish, we finally arrived back down onto Terra Firma
I have to be honest, it was a really interesting tour in the end, and I'm glad Dad booked it... he thoroughly enjoyed it of course.
It was also nice to reflect on the past, not just the vast 800 years of history, but also our own past, our family's history, and all the stories and memories we have together.
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Amazing tour Dam thanks for sharing. I did not know Lincoln was so cool. Have you traced much of your family history?
!BEER
I love Lincoln and the Cathedral is a real highlight for me. I'd reccomend the roof tour to anyone who visits, even if you arent interested in the history side of the buidling.