The Arch leading to the Cloister of the Almshouse.

The Arch Leading to the Cloister of the old Almshouse from Richard III's Time.

We were walking through the marketplace at Stamford when we came upon a building with an archway. It was a rather grand old place overlooking the market street. It was founded in 1483 by a wealthy wool merchant named William Browne. It was later overseen by Lord Cecil Burghley of Queen Elizabeth I time. Inside, there was a plaque that said it was a place for alms - an almshouse. This was an old hospital from bygone times. 

This place was compelling. Carole and I decided to explore through the Norman arched doorway. It led to a cloister and across the lawn was an old residence that we observed through pillared arches. It was very picturesque. This old style hospital was for paupers who had no money and was founded during the reign of Richard III. Stamford is full of little delightful and historical things. We could only scratch the surface during our morning visit. 

The Almshouse with the small dome-spire right of Carole.

Old English Town of Stamford - Delightful Nooks and Passageways.

Old English Stone-Built Town - Delightful Nooks and Passageways.

Carole and I went to Stamford in Lincolnshire today. It’s a quaint old town and very old England gradually blending into the modern day world. It had a nice little shopping centre. The old buildings all incorporated with modern day shops. In all, it was delightful and we enjoyed walking around the place with its stone buildings and the hustle and bustle of twenty-first-century traffic.

There were so many churches too. The skyline was littered with old spires scattered about the hamlet town. All I could think was that there must have been a lot of extremely religious people of many different denominations. Or there were colleges and boarding schools with churches of their own.

Even the new build houses were designed with the same brickwork and window designs of the former old buildings. Therefore old and new blended together very well.

England 3 Slovenia 1 - Euro Qualifers

I sat down on the Saturday night to watch England play against Slovenia. In European football, there are not many easy games anymore and Slovenia are worthy opponents in this day and age. They have a good side with some high quality players. 

The game started and Slovenia packed out the defence and managed to frustrate England all through the first half, denying England a shot on target. I have to say that Slovenia looked like a side waiting for an opportunity to exploit - not some low grade side playing on chance. They seemed like they had a game plan, which appeared could work. The longer England came up against that brick wall, the more frustrated they would get. However, England remained calm and plugged away doggedly to the first half whistle. Both sides left for the dressing room at 0-0.

The football panel had Ian Wright, Lee Dixon (former England players) Also Glen Hoddle - a former England manager. They spoke of the lacklustre first half and Lee Dixon gave due credit to Slovenia for the defencive way they contained England. Glen Hoddle rightly pointed out that England would have to become more creative because Slovenia would get at least one chance in the game - maybe more. We could get caught on a counter and Slovenia looked like a side with that skill.

The second half started with a little more positive assertiveness from England and the began to get closer to testing Slovenia's goalkeeper. However, Slovenia also looked more adventurous and seemed to have a different outlook for the second half too. They managed an attack and caught England when England defender, Jorden Henderson deflected the ball into his own net giving Slovenia a 1-0 lead. It was as Glen Hoddle predicted. The law of averages decreed that a side of Slovenia's worth would create chances. They did and capitalised on some sloppy England defending.

Fortunately, almost straight away from the centre kick, England's Wayne Rooney got the ball and dribbled into the Slovenian penalty box and was brought down. The skipper scored from the spot kick and levelled at 1-1. Slovenia's lead had lasted less then two minuets. Suddenly England looked more invigorated and they began to pile pressure upon the deflated Slovenia side. What followed were more chances from which, came two more goals, from Danny Wellbeck.

I thought the result was a good one and it did take the goal to liven England up. However, I think the lacklustre first half was also due to Slovenia packing out the defence. Other opponents in this group have tried the same thing. To Slovenia's credit, they did well in the first half, but in the second they tried to come out and be more creative. They managed to steal a goal, but lost the opportunity to stay ahead very quickly. It was certainly that old cliche about a game of two halves.

The Bin Round in the Fenland Market Town of Whittlesey, historically known as Whittlesea

Whittlesey, historically known as Whittlesea, is an old market town in the Fenlands of Cambridgeshire. I was emptying bins here today (27th October 2014). It was a beautiful clear autumn day with bright blue sky and the old church spire looked resplendent from every street. I had to get a snap of it because it looked so glorious.

Every where we went the spire loomed above the rooftops of all the houses and the old world streets where house's front doors opened upon the roads of the little old lanes, where our dust cart could barely get into.

It was a grand autumn day of fine weather. No doubt, one of the last before we drift into the winter months. 

Leaving the market town and heading back to March, where the depot is,  we were treated to the sight of hawks and kestrels hunting the ploughed fields, now void of their crops till next spring.

Nothing compares to old England on days like this. I was just wondering about the little lanes and doing my job with the spire against the sky. It was a gem of a day.