Little Gits and a Crusader

David did an amount of boat wiping down this morning after our soaking yesterday afternoon and in fact it hammered down several times more, I like to think of rain as God washing the boat.
I am not completely sure why it is but rivers are quite mucky places, lots more trees containing birds   (I love birds but the little gits do leave their calling cards), about than found on most canals and more flying insects who have an inclination to stick onto the side of the boat, die, turn white then remain in an unsightly manner.  
But I think on the whole I was reading my book.

After lunch the three of us cyclists set off for a small tour of the area.  David being the insomniac he is had been up and cycled about 20 plus miles before I had woken up but was happy to come on another far shorter one with us girls.

We went first to the nearby village of Pilton, which is really a hamlet around a farm, but on chatting to a lady resident she pointed out her own house which dated from 1300's, I didn't like to take a photo of it in front of her, but it was built to have corn stored on the floor above the front door, so the front door was almost divided into two.  It was decorated with even older stone faces which were thought to have been taken from an even earlier still building and put on by the builder.  Sort of reclamation of their day.


Next stop was the cutie village of Aldwincle, not totally sure of the pronunciation but I quite like All-Winkle....

These were in a row of scrumptious cottages, sadly none of which were for sale. 

All very old.

Next up was Achurch, here there was an ancient well, any passing horses can still have a drink should they be allowed, sorry to say I have lost the photo of that.  Next place was Lilford, we snooped past the manor, the old vicarage and then the church.  Where we found this

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Maybe it does not look much but this is the oldest grave I have ever seen in a country churchyard and probably ever.  Its the tomb of Sir Ascelin de Waterville, he got back alive from one crusade or another and gave thanks to god by founding this church back in the 1200's, the tomb is 1226 I think.

Lilford church

Then the last leg of our afternoon whizz back down the hill, legs sticking out brakes off and yelling Weeeeeeeeeeee.  
I know buts simply my age.

The 18th century Dovecot at Wadenhoe, the ladder went around to aid collection

650 birds kept here and eaten by the Lord of the Manor

Only very small people allowed in.

Red Kites had followed us all afternoon, sometimes really low above our heads, how fantastic is that?

Afternoon tea in the Olde Barn at Wadenhoe with Joe too, great cakes but maybe we shouldn't have had them as we had a table booked  at the pub in 90 mins!!

Dinner was fabulous, sea bass then cheesecake.  Trouble walking home afterwards....