Come Aboard for a Scoot Into Town...

I so enjoyed lunch together yesterday, I thought I'd invite you to scoot into town with me and see the sights of Grantham - such as they are!

I decided to brave the threatening clouds, as I can only get into town when Nick's working from home, just in case my less-than-trusty steed doesn't make it home...

This is the scenic route...

... a little cut-through lane out of the estate... It may not be the safest route after dark, but in the daytime, with all the birds singing, it's a joy!! And it opens onto the bowling green and tennis courts...

And opposite, is a grand Georgian house *sigh* which is now an old folks' home...

... and I had to take a couple of close ups of the wild roses tumbling over the fence...

... the bees love them...

Past the tennis courts, a playing field opens up, backed my majestic trees, which do a grand job of hiding the fast train track down to London! Sadly, they do nothing for the noise... which is always such a shock after the birdsong and the gentle thud of tennis balls!

Turning left we join the main path and road into town.
It used to be the Great North Road and was the only route to London before they built the A1 and the by-pass. It's hard to imagine stage-coaches rattling along here amid the din of modern-day traffic, but it becomes easier as the path becomes North Parade - my favourite street in Grantham - lined with lime trees and flanked by Georgian townhouses and villas *sigh*

Then into town itself...

I admit I couldn't bring myself to show all the boarded-up shops and retail units for let - it's just too depressing and too familiar a sight throughout the Western world at present. So i'll show you a couple of unique features of the grand olde towne of Grantham.

St Wulfram's spire dominates the skyline - built in the 1300s and standing 282 feet tall! Click on this link to see pictures of the inside - it is breathtaking!!

Just down the road from this shot stands The Angel and Royal, the oldest surviving English inn, built in 1203...

... and in the centre of town stands the Guildhall built in 1866 with Isaac Newton's statue standing in front. Sir Isaac was born down the road from Grantham in Woolsthorpe in 1643 and attended The Kings School, which my son now attends(!) in 1655--60.

And that, my friends, is the grand tour of Grantham!

Phew! I'm exhausted, how about you??

Hope you enjoyed it, though :)