This is for Ruth, Cheryl and Susan Smith

July 6

We had a nice lunch with Belle,who is Becka’s owner and then said good-bye to the house we called home for 8 days, and set out for the east coast of England and a little town called Burgh Le Marsh, whose claim to fame is it is home-ground for some dear old friends - Cheryl, Susan and Ruth. Ruth asked me to get some pictures of the family’s old hotel if we were in the area. So we stopped by and chatted with the owners - they’ve only had the place for about 8 months - quit their high-powered jobs in London to put some new life into this hotel which had become a bit run-down. Looks like they are doing a great job so far. The wife’s parents were there for a visit as well, and were doing some gardening and plumbing work to help out.  The little cottages would have been a great place for us to stay . . . but we had already booked in at the Robin’s Nest in Kirton-Holme, a few miles away.

New owner of the Bell Hotel in front of the cottages they have for rent.

Inside the pub

Inside the pub. Glen bellying up to the bar.

The Bell Hotel - 2014

Street view

Kirton-Holme is a . . . well, not even a village, but a grouping of a few homes amongst farm fields.  It does have a golf course though.  Again, we’re waking to the sounds of chirping birds and cooing doves.  We have a lovely little suite with a full kitchen, that is set above the family home’s garage.  The gabled roof is causing a bit of discomfort when we bang our heads while we’re cooking, but it’s a great little spot.  We have a deck up on the roof that looks out over the fields, and this location is perfect as a launch point to set out in different directions to explore the east Lincolnshire area.  Most people we spoke to turned up their noses when we said we were coming out here, but as we’ve discovered in England, there is always something to see no matter where you are.  Tomorrow we will go to Boston!

Robin's Nest - kitchen through to the bathroom

Robin's Nest - Entrance off the deck

Robin's Nest - tv and bedroom area.

Sweet little rooftop deck with views out over the Fens. More on fens later!