Cadney to the Cathedral Day 6
Bardney to Fiskerton.
Firstly, thank you to everyone who has donated, whether is it cash or online. The donations have now passed £700!
Today, I set off from Bardney after popping into the church and leaving my message in the visitors’ book. This was church no. 21. I had Sue and Sophie with me today. Sue offered to come just last night, after checking it wouldn’t be too hot, and Sophie works for Lincoln Diocese as the church development officer. She has been very helpful with advice on the phone, and I’ve had Zoom meetings with her, it was lovely to meet her in person. Sue also brought Scooby the dog along today. As we headed out of Bardney, we met the man who has bought Bardney Water Tower; he was outside doing some work and is doing it up, to live in it. He told us all about his plans for it, and that he has quite a following on Instagram. It turns out he has a massive following on Facebook and Instagram, it was lovely to meet him.
It was then out into open countryside with glimpses of Lincoln Cathedral on the horizon. When we reached Stainfield, we had had a kind invitation from Clare Lee, who had messaged me to say that when we visited Stainfield we were welcome to call for refreshments, we had not quite worked out which house it was and had started to cross the field when Clare’s husband Martin called to us, asking if we were doing the Cadney to the Cathedral walk. He followed him back, and Clare made us all a drink and gave us homemade Victoria Sponge while we sat in her lovely garden. The cake was delicious. Clare then accompanied us to St Andrew’s church. Church no. 22. It is a wonderful church, only open at the weekend, but worth a visit. We learnt about the story of the Wild Man of Stainfield. There were silhouettes of soldiers around the church, commemorating the fallen soldiers of the local area. Plus a wonderful display in the corner of a wooden cross made from driftwood with netting draped over. Clare took a photo of us all, plus her dog as we finished our visit. Sophie finished her walk with us here, and just Sue and I carried on.
We went through a woodland path full of dappled light from the trees, before walking across fields and more open countryside. When we were in sight of the remains of Barlings Abbey, we stopped for a lunch break. Afterwards we walked through the field with the remains of the abbey, and read the information board, just outside the field. After crossing a wooden bridge, we soon were walking alongside golden fields once again. In many places the combines have finished, and the huge bales are waiting in the fields to be collected.
On the outskirts of Fiskerton, we met Stuart, who had come to finish the walk with us, and offer a lift back to our starting point. It was great to have a chat with him while we made our way through Fiskerton to the church, St Clements, church no. 23 on the route.
Another day of great walking, good company and fantastic Lincolnshire countryside. One more day to go to reach the cathedral. What number church will Lincoln Cathedral be?