Day Four

Today was a rather odd Sunday for us. It was strange waking up, getting ready and heading off to Church without all the normal fuss and angst from our three children. Sacrament meeting was a joy! We sat and actually LISTENED to the talks. Amazing! At the same time, I admit, I chuckled a little to myself knowing that in seven short hours Grandpa and Grandma were going to get a full dose of what Sacrament meeting is usually like for the Jones family. Nerve-wracking. With no end in sight. Sorry Mom & Dad. (Oh...and I just realized that I didn't get a sub for my primary class which is, at this very moment, probably wondering where I am. Oops.)

In other news...after enjoying our quiet morning we drove up to nearby Lincoln Castle. A 10th-century Norman establishment which has been kept in amazing repair. Here's a look at the southern wall with the typical "motte" (a mound) and it's "keep" on top. You can see the castle walls extending from the keep.

Inside the keep were several graves of men and women hanged within the castle walls after being sentenced to death through the Lincoln Crown Courts.

We managed to visit Lincoln Castle on the perfect day. There was a group of volunteers in almost every area of the Castle dressed in authentic 12th-century clothing and talking to us about day-to-day life as it would have been. There was a brilliant gentleman who spent quite a lot of time talking with Ian and I about the various weaponry and armor used at the time. It was all hands-on. And, while I think Ian looks great in the medieval helmet, I'm sure he's glad he doesn't have to haul that extra 10 pounds around on a daily basis.

I had to snap this picture of little Poppy. A five-month old little girl participating in the "re-enactment" all dolled up in authentic clothing as well. She was the best behaved little baby I've ever seen! Not a peep out of the sweetheart all afternoon. Amazing.

From inside one of the tower walls you have a fantastic view of the ginormous Lincoln Cathedral which stands across the street. We spent a couple minutes in there but didn't want to get in the way of their Sunday worship so we didn't get many pictures.

One of my favorite things about England (apart from the bacon...I can't even begin to describe it to you):

Instead of calling a tow truck, or writing a nasty note, the owner of the house we shouldn't have parked in front of gave us a "polite notice" without even one exclamation point. Thank you again, anonymous stranger. It would have been awful to return to our car to find it missing.

We are going to end our day with Indian Food. Yes, my friends, yours truly is going to step way, way, WAY, outside of my comfort zone and attempt an unprecedented cultural experience. Wish me luck.