From Spalding (Springfields) to level with Surfleet Seas End

Thu, 2015 Sep 3 11:27 AM BST

With Marta, following the Welland. From the Springfields Centre, along the right bank of the river, as far as the point where the river Glen joins the Welland. Then back. Quite a chilly wind. As expected no way to cross the water near Surfleet. About 9 miles.

As usual, after a drive of around 50 minutes, we needed coffee before starting to walk. Hence the late start. We had thought of including a ride on the water taxi, but in the end didn't have time to spare today.

Once we'd found the route, a path beside the river starting from the water taxi boarding point, we headed downstream, following the bridleway along the bank . 

Looking back from the sluice near Springfields

A cormorant . . . with extra legs. . .

cabbages . . .

plenty of herons . . .

. . . a hovering kestrel . . . lots of swallows, swooping low, but too fast for me to snap.

lively skies . . .

the River Glen at Surfleet Seas End. . . no bridge here, though

Heading back towards Spalding

We did a mile or so extra to see this moat, but could see no way to view the ruins of St Nicholas chapel, and a deserted medieval village. Wykeham Hall was once the country residence of the Prior of Spalding.

wild or escaped plums

Rowan, or mountain ash

Another coffee before we left - a lovely walk in spite of the chilly wind, with a tiny hint of the sea ahead.

Spalding

Marta and I decided a gentle look around the town counted as part of our Welland exploration, and there's more to see than I expected.

Out first port of call after the hour's drive over was - coffee. We found an ideal place in Bookmark, a bookshop, with toys and maps and a very pleasant atmosphere.  

Like many bookshops now, they host book-signings by authors from time to time.  I was tempted to buy a book about the Welland and Spalding's past, but resisted on this occasion. 

We walked beside the river - a prominent feature, with several footbridges. The water is clean, and there are a fair number of fish.

As we were there on a Tuesday, the Chain Bridge Forge Museum wasn't open, so I hoped the camera could make the interior out better than my own eyes!

 Outside there is a large cartwheel

 and a scarily enormous circular saw

Gamlyn's Almshouses , built in 1843, replacing late 16th century ones provided by John Gamlyn.

We were surprised by the size and splendour of the parish church of St Mary and St Nicholas.

The ceiling of the entrance porch

The elephant in the church

Carvings on the pulpit - see tiny cat creature in the middle

Just along the road is Ayscoughfee Hall . Pronounced locally as Askerfee. Unfortunately it was Tuesday, so the museum was not open.

Ayscoughfee Hall

A medieval roundel in the wall

The gardens are a public park

We finished the day with lunch in the cafe, and then walked along the Welland as far as the Coronation Channel, which was built in 1953 to protect Spalding from floods.

We'll be back.