The museum isn't huge but it is significant in this area because it is one of the few medieval structures that is still standing. The original hall was built sometime around the 1450's for some wealthy wool merchants and was built on the River Welland for easy transportation of their wool.
The hall was recently refurbished and though much of what's there is assumed to be part of the original structure, there have certainly been some additions. In the late 1700's a new section of the building was created. It was interesting to see the contrast of the medieval brick spiral staircase compared with the more elegant look of the newer 18th century staircase that has been incorporated into the interior of the house. They have glass panels over the older staircases so people don't try to walk on them. Because of the lighting, I couldn't get good pictures of them but it was interesting to see them.
There are many different information boards throughout the hall that tell all about Spalding and the larger county of Lincolnshire and other bits of history. This area, including Lincolnshire and two other counties, is known as the Fens. It's a large flat piece of land that used to be very close to the coast line, which has since changed. The Fens used to flood every winter and when the land/water would freeze over, people used to just use ice skates all the time to get from place to place. It wasn't until the early 1900's that the people here started to find ways to control the water and keep it from taking over. These days, they pump the water out of the land or divert it somewhere else, intentionally flooding another area to preserve the towns, farmlands, and residential areas.Like I said, nothing ground breaking or anything but I just like history and I love looking at all of the old pictures and it's just all new and different and intriguing.
I think a big part of the reason why these gardens seem so Alice in Wonderland like is because of the rather curious way they have to shape every tree and bush. We don't do that at home. I think it suits their gardens here because it's all so meticulously manicured but otherwise, I'd rather the trees just look natural.
This path leads to an old ice house. I just thought it looked cool : )
Though the weather has been nice, the temperature changes pretty drastically. Just two days ago I was in jeans and a t-shirt and it was quite warm outside. Yesterday, I wore a light-weight sweater to Ayscoughfee and got cold enough while out on my walk that I decided to buy a jacket. I know, right? I just said I wasn't going to spend any money, but do you know how tiring it is to only have two jacket options when you're used to having a closet full of them anyway?? It's just the worst. I really needed another one. I didn't have anything casual and warm to throw on. There are a bunch of charity shops in Spalding so I walked through about four different ones and finally found this jacket. For a light colored jacket in a charity shop, it looks pretty much new and it only cost 5 pounds. Lena, don't tell Kira that I wore the jacket home -- I know she disapproves of wearing secondhand clothes that haven't first been sterilized. I washed it today. I think it's cute. I would show you the whole thing but it's rather difficult to take a picture of my entire torso without having to take it in a mirror and that seemed far too cheesy. It's bad enough that I take pictures of myself (and my purchases) to show you : )
I've been keeping really busy this week and have spent HOURS in the kitchen. I told the family that before I leave I would stock their freezer with meals for them to heat up when they need them. I've made baked spaghetti, cheese potato soup, Chinese hamburger casserole, pizza, tuna casserole, shepherds pie and a cheesecake. I've been going to the grocery store almost every day because not only have I been buying stuff for all of this, but I also buy things for the meals we're eating and we just keep running out of things like honey or milk or jam or lemons or whatever. Tonight we had pizza and sweet potato fries (strange combo but we have to use up the sweet potatoes). I've already made tomorrow's dinner, lasagne, so that I can just chill out tomorrow. I made chocolate chip cookies today and you know what... I had to crush a chocolate bar to make my own chocolate chips. The nerve. What sort of country is this that they don't sell chocolate chips?!? AND this family doesn't have a rolling pin so for the second day in a row, when rolling out pizza dough, I had to use an empty plastic wrap roll. It actually works really well...
I think a big part of the reason why these gardens seem so Alice in Wonderland like is because of the rather curious way they have to shape every tree and bush. We don't do that at home. I think it suits their gardens here because it's all so meticulously manicured but otherwise, I'd rather the trees just look natural.
This path leads to an old ice house. I just thought it looked cool : )
Though the weather has been nice, the temperature changes pretty drastically. Just two days ago I was in jeans and a t-shirt and it was quite warm outside. Yesterday, I wore a light-weight sweater to Ayscoughfee and got cold enough while out on my walk that I decided to buy a jacket. I know, right? I just said I wasn't going to spend any money, but do you know how tiring it is to only have two jacket options when you're used to having a closet full of them anyway?? It's just the worst. I really needed another one. I didn't have anything casual and warm to throw on. There are a bunch of charity shops in Spalding so I walked through about four different ones and finally found this jacket. For a light colored jacket in a charity shop, it looks pretty much new and it only cost 5 pounds. Lena, don't tell Kira that I wore the jacket home -- I know she disapproves of wearing secondhand clothes that haven't first been sterilized. I washed it today. I think it's cute. I would show you the whole thing but it's rather difficult to take a picture of my entire torso without having to take it in a mirror and that seemed far too cheesy. It's bad enough that I take pictures of myself (and my purchases) to show you : )
I've been keeping really busy this week and have spent HOURS in the kitchen. I told the family that before I leave I would stock their freezer with meals for them to heat up when they need them. I've made baked spaghetti, cheese potato soup, Chinese hamburger casserole, pizza, tuna casserole, shepherds pie and a cheesecake. I've been going to the grocery store almost every day because not only have I been buying stuff for all of this, but I also buy things for the meals we're eating and we just keep running out of things like honey or milk or jam or lemons or whatever. Tonight we had pizza and sweet potato fries (strange combo but we have to use up the sweet potatoes). I've already made tomorrow's dinner, lasagne, so that I can just chill out tomorrow. I made chocolate chip cookies today and you know what... I had to crush a chocolate bar to make my own chocolate chips. The nerve. What sort of country is this that they don't sell chocolate chips?!? AND this family doesn't have a rolling pin so for the second day in a row, when rolling out pizza dough, I had to use an empty plastic wrap roll. It actually works really well...****
I've become a total Harry Potter nerd. I've been listening to book 4 almost non-stop this week. I listen while I cook and while I do dishes and while I hang the laundry out on the line... it's ridiculous and far too enjoyable. I don't know what I'll do when I've reached the end of the series. I used to resist listening to audiobooks as I would rather read it for myself but, secretly, I'm loving it. I think the Golden Compass series would be a good one to listen to. Maybe I'll get that next.
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