Barry’s been akin to a kid in a candy store recently. You know that Christmas Day feeling of wonderment, when you open the gift you’ve been longing for?
As a professional photographer for over 35 years, he’d aim to be at the top of his game, purchasing the best equipment he could afford. Photography is more of an enjoyable ‘hobby’ nowadays (notwithstanding the fact that he’s also keen to and does sell some of his images as Greeting Cards and prints), and our budget for outlay on equipment is limited. He’s managed perfectly finely for nine years with a Lumix G1 (you can read a little about it by clicking here). Until the poor tired thing lost the will to work a week or so ago, after providing excellent service.
On Tuesday his new plaything arrived. He was overjoyed. This camera is also a Lumix – a Panasonic Lumix GX7 – which means nothing to me, I’m assured it’s a decent-enough step up.
It’s long been a bit of a standing joke for Barry and those who know him well, that people frequently exclaim “You must have a really good camera to take shots like that!” Undoubtedly the tool used is important. But it’s the person behind the lens that makes the difference between a ‘good’ photo and a ‘superb’ one.
This blog contains the first images from Barry’s new-to-him ‘tool of the trade’. He’s still familiarising himself with all its functions, though I’m sure you’ll agree it’s a mighty fine tool – and he’s rather clever at pointing it in the right direction …
Part one – Lincoln Castle
We’d decided to splash out and be reckless, purchasing two all-in-one tickets to cover us for Lincoln Castle AND Cathedral, for the princely sum of £32. Each gave us an additional opportunity of a return visit within six months. Thank goodness it turned out!
I have to admit it was well worth every penny. Lincoln Castle took our breath away with the magnitude of history, and fascinating structures and stories. We actually spent most of the first day there!
Barry took some fine photos of the Cathedral from the Castle, mainly from the steeped in history Medieval Wall Walk – some are featured below. Most I’ve saved for the next post.

Lincoln Cathedral in the distance, and the Victorian Gaol on the right, to the left is the Courtroom, still in use as such today

The Observatory Tower with spectacular views of the Cathedral, for miles across Lincoln, and beyond. While we were up here the Red Arrows flew past and over the Cathedral – mind-blowing! If only either of us had had a camera at the ready at the right moment …
- An arial view of the castle
- At the Castle entrance – stunning architecture
- The Gaol – a fascinating place
- The Gaol – a fascinating place
- The game of Fox and Goose
- We got quite enthralled with it – had to leave it halfway through, maybe we’ll make one?
- Supposedly built for one prisoner per cell, and no contact with other prisoners
- Hence at services each prisoner had their own ‘box’, not visible to others, but when you stand in the pulpit you see everyone. Scary stuff!
- A wonderful walk on the wall – with an audio guide for company
- Up in Lucy’s Tower, getting the next commentary lined up
- The graves of some of the prisoners
Another attraction is an original Magna Carta document, one of only four surviving (as King John ordered that they be destroyed after he consulted with the Pope to have the charter annulled, having signed it under duress) housed securely in the David P J Ross Magna Carta Vault, it’s the crowning glory of Lincoln Castle’s £22m restoration.

You can just make out the corridor taking you from the Prison building to the one housing the Magna Carta in the bottom left of the picture
Unsurprisingly no photos are allowed inside! Lincoln Castle can proudly boast being the only place in the world where an original 1215 Magna Carta and 1217 Charter of the Forest can be seen side by side, on permanent loan from Lincoln Cathedral.
“On 15 June 2015, it was 800 years to the day that King John and the barons met at Runnymede and agreed a charter of liberties that would change the course of history. Magna Carta enshrined the principle that the king had to act within the rule of law and became one of the most celebrated documents in history with enduring worldwide influence.”
I recalled seeing another version in Salisbury Cathedral, I thought with Barry, but he vehemently denied any knowledge of it. Looking back through my photos I found I’d been with my dear friend Jenny, on a visit in January 2017, and not with Barry after all! I knew I’d seen it before – so we were both right …
This momentous charter continues to influence law and order in the twenty-first century:
“No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land. Clause 39”
What a truly splendid day we had. Barry of course is a veritable mine of knowledge about British history, his recollections of times gone by frequently astounds me. I, on the other hand, can generally only recall one thing – The Battle of Hastings, in the year 1066! Why that file has been saved above anything else I have absolutely no idea. Queens and Kings all such things confound me. Hopefully it means Barry’s going to pass his mandatory ‘Life in the UK‘ test for his UK visa first time – this year!
The photos are absolutely stunning. I can understand why Barry is so pleased.
You may be interested in a little bit of, mainly unknown, history of the Lincoln copy of the Magna Carta. In 1976 the United States wanted to borrow one of the Magna Carta copies as part of their 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It was decided that the Lincoln copy would go, but the main problem was how to transport it safely. It could not be insured, so no commercial routes were viable. The final solution was to send it out and return it in a Vulcan bomber from RAF Waddington. Chris was part of the crew who brought it back from San Francisco at the end of the year. It was all highly secret and was guarded throughout at the stop over they had to make en route. The crew were all given a wine goblet with the cathedral etched on it (available from the gift shop), but with ‘Magna Carta, San Francisco – Lincoln, 1976, etched on the base.
I think we may have to go and view it when we visit Lincoln this summer. Jennie
Oh my goodness Jennie, that is an incredible story! It sent shivers down my spine. I Facepainted at Throckmorton almost three years ago, when the Vulcan did one of its final flights, and hovered just feet away from where I was ‘working’. Barry even had a Vulcan design facepainted on his face! And I was asked to go to the final Air Show where it was flying, and paint Vulcans all day! I wasn’t able to do so, but I was honoured to be asked.
How amazing that they did that, there and back in a Vulcan. Unbelievable.
Definitely go and view it. The actual words in English are all printed out on the wall as you walk down the stairs, before the room with the document in. Fascinating stuff.
Thank you so much for sharing this. Brilliant 🙂
I have been to the castle before, but it was years ago. Chris flew on Vulcans from 1972 to 1977. I worked on the training unit and that is were we met. I was lucky enough to fly on a Vulcan twice – the second time with Chris. An amazing plane. Do you have a picture of Barry’s Vulcan face? What a shame you missed the final show – we too were not able to get there.
Hi Jennie. It must have been an amazing experience flying on a Vulcan. I do have a picture of Barry’s Vulcan face somewhere in my files, not sure I can post it here though …
If you do find it – I am fairly certain you have my email address? And yes it was an amazing experience flying on a Vulcan.
I do indeed, and will find it and send you a copy 😉
Found the photos Jennie! I’ve just emailed three to you 🙂
Thank you Sandra – they are fantastic – you are a very talented lady.
Oh bless you! I’d love to facepaint more but sadly it doesn’t fit our cruising lifestyle terribly well. I do and have enjoyed it over the last four years 😉