Our Holiday to Lincolnshire.

For any members who still haven’t been on a SoFA Holiday, I must explain the above title. Our wonderfully comfortable coach is large and a very bright orange, so our excellent driver Carl has christened it “The Flying Carrot”. There is no danger of being unable to find the coach at the end of the day! It is very easy to see! Despite thunderstorm warnings for most of Britain, once again we had our usual very warm and sunny National Trust weather. Someone must have been on the prayer mat again.

On Sunday 25^th June, we all started gathering at our various pick-up points, Churchtown, Southport, Birkdale, Ainsdale and Formby, and off we went. At Huddersfield the coach joined runners on the Huddersfield Half Marathon till their route turned left and took them up a very steep hill! There was a break for coffee at the Cedar Court Hotel and then we moved on to Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire. A packed lunch had been arranged and we collected it from the Parsonage, where some of us ate in and others ate in the grounds

We then travelled to The Olde Barn Hotel in Grantham. After unpacking, some people had a swim in the Health Club before dinner which was served at 7pm. Everyone enjoyed a starter, main course and dessert followed by coffee and mints. Our bedrooms were comfortable and after a good night’s sleep, breakfast was available any time after 7am. There was plenty of choice including a Full English Breakfast.

At 9-30am on Monday our coach left for Burghley House. On arrival we had an interesting talk and refreshments in The Orangery, then a self-guided tour of the beautiful house. Burghley was built in the 1500’s by William Cecil who was principal adviser and Lord High Treasure to Queen Elizabeth 1. The State Rooms were simply awe-inspiring. There was an enormous collection of historic paintings, ceramics and works of art. Burghley is still lived in by a direct descendant of William Cecil, Miranda Rock, with her husband Orlando and their four children. 
We then toured the Garden of Surprises with its many waterfalls, misty archways, mirror maze and waterfall curtain at the exit. There was also a splendid sculpture garden that some of us visited.

We left Burghley at 2pm and travelled to nearby Belton House NT. It has the second largest library held by the National Trust, a room full of silver collections and a beautiful deer park. Many of the deer came across to say farewell when it was time for the coach to leave.

On Tuesday we visited The International Bomber Command Centre where a memorial spire, walls, peace gardens and visitor centre mark the service and sacrifice of World War ll. We were divided into three groups. Our Guide in Group 2 was excellent. He told us many fascinating stories, including crashed airmen from Czechoslovakia who found a little abandoned dog in a French barn and its subsequent adventures!

At 12-30pm our coach left for an afternoon in Lincoln. As we approached the city we could see Lincoln Cathedral and the Castle on the hill. Uphill Lincoln is where the main historic attractions are situated, and in Downhill Lincoln is the main shopping area and riverside. Linking the two is the appropriately named Steep Hill which dispels the myth that Lincolnshire is all flat! Carl was able to take those interested up Steep Hill to the Cathedral. He was unable to return up the hill to pick them up again due to regulations.

This evening we met in the bar at 6-30pm for drinks before dinner at 7pm.

On Wednesday, we travelled to RAF Coningsby to visit the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre. Once again we had excellent guides. We were split into three groups for a one and a half hour guided tour. No bags were allowed in the hangar on the tours. Our guide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. He told us many interesting facts about Spitfires, Hurricanes and the enormous Lancaster at the far end of the hangar.
He told a story about a Wren who had hung onto the tail of a plane during take-off and another story of a man in the tail section of a Lancaster whose parachute got stuck when the plane was shot down, so he jumped without one, and survived! Apparently he landed in a tree, covered with snow. His tale didn’t end there though. He was captured by Germans who didn’t believe his story until they found the crashed Lancaster five days later with his parachute still attached! Throughout our visit, several Typhoons were taking off and landing and this continued during the afternoon at Tattershall Castle.

In the afternoon, we visited Tattershall Castle and inside was an interesting video. I was amazed how many of our members were able to climb the winding staircase to the top and still had energy to wave to friends sitting on the seats at the bottom!

Once again, we had a glass of wine before our last evening meal, courtesy of Michael.

After breakfast on our final day, we left The Olde Barn Hotel and travelled to Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire. Bess of Hardwick built the house in the late 1500s. The initials ES (Elizabeth Shrewsbury) on the roof suggested wealth, so did the enormous glass windows. She was the richest woman in England after Elizabeth 1. Her descendants, the Dukes of Devonshire treasured Hardwick while lavishing much of their attention and money on nearby Chatsworth. There were a lot of stairs to climb! She had all that money and didn’t think to install a lift!

On all the NT holidays we have enjoyed the most interesting itineraries, with lots of variety, and these have been planned and organised by Michael Rofe, his wife Jean and Airedale Travel. We would like to thank Michael, Jean and Airedale Travel for arranging all these excellent holidays. They don’t just happen, they take a lot of planning and we appreciate it.

When Ian and I booked our first holiday in 2015 (I think) we were a little apprehensive. We knew very few people and wondered what they would be like. We decided to just book one holiday to give it a try. We need not have worried. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. The hotels we have stayed in have been excellent, serving hearty breakfasts and delicious 3 course dinners in the evening. The coach is very comfortable and the coach driver Carl has added to our enjoyment. It is a good way of getting to know people and making new friends. Come and join us! We look forward to your company!

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With thanks to Jean Higson for providing the article and for the photographs courtesy of Michael Rofe.