Rock Choir

Rock Choir performing on Castle Hill outside Lincoln Castle .

A pleasant change from the usual noise nuisance in this area and down in the city centre.

Picnic Social Cocktail Bar

Last Friday, walking down Steep Hill, I found the Cocktail Gift Shop closed, not that I ever find it open, a notice in the window, find us in the Castle grounds.

Cocktail Gift Shop Steep Hill #Lincoln pic.twitter.com/QAQtPBgtJ1

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) July 29, 2022

Today, second week of Picnic Social, I thought check them out, ask of the making of cocktails.

I never got that far.

Shampoo dispensers, zero waste shop opposite Mary le Wigford Church. https://t.co/VAASquMF9T #shampoo #zerowaste #Lincoln

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) August 7, 2022

Walk into a zero waste shop. Often find 5l dispensers, from which can fill empty shampoo bottles.

At the back of the bar, a row of these dispensers. I was baffled. Ghastly syrups to add to the cocktails, as find in bad coffee shops to mask the taste of the disgusting coffee served?

At events usually a pretentious guy shaking cocktails. Usually a guy

The containers were ready mix cocktails. I jest not, ready mix cocktails. For which they were charging £8 a cocktail.

ready mix cocktails Picnic Social Lincoln Castle #Lincoln pic.twitter.com/kY6VjXOn8g

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) August 2, 2022

ready mix cocktails Picnic Social Lincoln Castle #Lincoln pic.twitter.com/Lvyar55GR7

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) August 2, 2022

deserted Picnic Social Lincoln Castle #Lincoln pic.twitter.com/laykXVtiOS

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) August 2, 2022

A brief conversation with the woman. She tried to claim they were making cocktails, they had prepared the ready mix cocktails of the dispensers. I think she has somewhere lost the plot of mixing cocktails.

Her argument was, apart from not recognising that she was not mixing cocktails, they would have to have all the ingredients. Yes, that is what is the norm when making cocktails.

The cocktail shop sells ready mix cocktails in bottles. The bottles are not labelled with the ingredients. She could not see why they should be. Maybe Trading Standards should pay a visit.

The cocktail shop lacks the means to make cocktails.

The shop used to have a helpful young lady, if on the rare occasion found the shop open. I learnt she was no longer there.

As I left, woman manning the stall, stood smoking.

The plastic flowers should have served as a warning, avoid.

Picnic Social Lincoln Castle

Second week of Picnic Social

Not as deserted as Wednesday of last week, but not busy, not all the stalls open.

I checked at the cocktail stall. An embarrassment. Ready mix cocktails.

Burger off the burger stall. ok, not great.

Too late for a coffee off Seven Districts.

Afternoon in Lincoln

Hot sunny afternoon. Tomorrow will be hotter, 27C.

An hour and a half late into Lincoln. Lucky to catch the bus. Driver kindly stopped to pick me up before the bus stop.

School holidays. Too many out of control kids.

Ermine bus to Museum of Lincolnshire Life. Pig ignorant passengers. I was sat at the back of the bus. A disabled lady naordef with a stick. No one vacated the seats for disabled. She struggled to the back of the bus. Not a single passenger vacated a seat. The driver should have intervened.

I alighted from the bus. Two people at the bus stop failed to board. I told them it was the only bus. They said no, waiting for the tour bus.

Tour bus a bloody rip off of tourists. Don’t see anything. It cost them £26, £13 each. I advised they catch the Walk & Ride near The Stonebow, hop off at The Cathedral, then walk back down Steep Hill.

They asked me where to eat. I suggested try Bailgate Deli. Or Picnic Social in the Castle Grounds. Bus driver was telling passengers Cathedral Café (no way it is dreadful), no mention of Picnic Socialm

Tagetelli from Nonna Juana Deli.

Via shops in Bailgate, Lincoln Castle.

I thought check out cocktail bar. An embarrassment. Ready mix cocktails.

Burger off the burger stall. It was reasonable, could have been better.

Too late for a coffee off Seven Districts.

From

Picnic Social Lincoln Castle

Busier than Wednesday, but not as busy as last Saturday. Today all the stalls open.

Lunch from Season Street Food, halloumi.

Cappuccino off Seven Districts.

When I leave,bar staff handing out fliers in Steep Hill .

Free entry. Entry fee after five.

Picnic Social deserted Lincoln Castle grounds

I thought I would eat my excellent lunch from Nonna Juana Deli in the Castle grounds as I did a couple of weeks ago.

The Castle grounds were deserted, half the stalls closed. Lucky I brought my own lunch.

Contrast with last Saturday, 1940s Weekend, the Castle grounds busy. Contrast with a couple of weeks ago, a lovely sunny day, the Castle grounds busy.

This week start of school holidays, university graduation week (expected 4,500 visitors).

Word on the street Picnic Social a disaster. I would not disagree. This is not a showcase of best of Luncolnshire priduce. Junk food, one stall hot dogs, another french fries.

I could count on one hand with fingers missing the quality stalls: Street Food …, Dough LoCo and Seven Districts.

I found an empty bench (covered in plastic). Not that I had any difficulty as they were all empty. Settled down, ate my lunch, washed down with Picnic Social lager, followed by an excellent capuccino from Seven Districts.

No one was cleaning the tables.

No segrated rubbish collection for recycling. As a minimum I would expect

– card

– plastic

– compostable

Is there a requirent for the stalls to only serve what can be recycled or composted?I do not know as I did not check. But if not, why not?

On leaving, Dough LoCo gave me a flier for their pizza parlour (10% off). They are quite literally outside the East Gate, in the shadow of the Castle Walls.

I looked in Dough LoCo as I left. Pleasnt ambience, excellent choice of craft beer (better choice than Picnic Social). I did not stop as not long eaten (though was very tempted to stop for a beer).

My lunch was from Nonna Nonna Joana Deli, a few minutes walk up the road outside the West Gate. Excellent fresh pasta, sandwiches and cakes.

Picnic Social

Two week food festival in the grounds of Lincoln Castle.

The first weekend coincided with 1940s Weekend. Could that be why the castle grounds were busy? And that it was a hot day?

Social Picnic Lincoln Castle #Lincoln pic.twitter.com/BWoVsJPQ0V

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) July 23, 2022

Dough LoCo #pizza Social Picnic Lincoln Castle #Lincoln @visitlincoln pic.twitter.com/gXF2dSO6Gg

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) July 23, 2022

Social Picnic Lincoln Castle #Lincoln pic.twitter.com/IJ3UzaGBIm

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) July 23, 2022

junk food Social Picnic Lincoln Castle #Lincoln pic.twitter.com/M0gDhdQSe5

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) July 23, 2022

Social Picnic Lincoln Castle #Lincoln pic.twitter.com/gzHhSDlN4q

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) July 23, 2022

Social Picnic Lincoln Castle #Lincoln pic.twitter.com/xkmWl9zh14

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) July 23, 2022

Social Picnic Lincoln Castle #Lincoln pic.twitter.com/qopidDToHu

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) July 23, 2022

Social Picnic Lincoln Castle #LincolnCastle #Lincoln @visitlincoln pic.twitter.com/Dkv9VjVwTm

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) July 23, 2022

Seven Districts #coffee Social Picnic Lincoln Castle #LincolnCastle #Lincoln @visitlincoln pic.twitter.com/GIhQzyLs5t

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) July 23, 2022

bar Social Picnic Lincoln Castle #LincolnCastle #Lincoln @visitlincoln pic.twitter.com/sXHs82pAkD

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) July 23, 2022

menu Seven Districts #coffee Social Picnic Lincoln Castle #LincolnCastle #Lincoln @visitlincoln pic.twitter.com/KUfzMsvgDy

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) July 23, 2022

coffee Seven Districts #coffee Social Picnic Lincoln Castle #LincolnCastle #Lincoln @visitlincoln pic.twitter.com/3fHF6tPuUI

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) July 23, 2022

Social Picnic Lincoln Castle #LincolnCastle #Lincoln @visitlincoln pic.twitter.com/kZ9CZU851F

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) July 23, 2022

An army of girls manning the East Gate. Three pounds to enter the castle grounds which are usually free.

And once inside? Junk food, plastic covered wooden benches.

I could count on one hand the quality stalls, and that was with a couple of fingers chopped off. Two large bars, and a surprisingly large coffee stall.

Dough LoCo. Can save the entrance fee, their pizza parlour is literally outside the East Gate, in the shadow of the castle walls.

I had a beer. Dough LoCo is serving better beer in the pizza parlough. And it will be in glass not plastic.

Season Street Food serving food using local produce. Below the menu, a list of the suppliers.

Seven Dristricts were serving coffee. I had an excellent cappuccino.

Nonna Juana Deli were to have a stall. No stall. Maybe only when the deli is closed, as otherwise would have to have find extra staff.

Social Picnic Lincoln Castle #LincolnCastle #Lincoln @visitlincoln pic.twitter.com/4RRVCDzpGl

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) July 23, 2022

Dough LoCo #pizza Social Picnic Lincoln Castle #LincolnCastle #Lincoln @visitlincoln pic.twitter.com/3JZtsWSdhT

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) July 23, 2022

Social Picnic Lincoln Castle #LincolnCastle #Lincoln @visitlincoln pic.twitter.com/eRYOlvHd2O

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) July 23, 2022

Season Street Food Social Picnic Lincoln Castle #LincolnCastle #Lincoln @visitlincoln pic.twitter.com/mecwLybRVM

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) July 23, 2022

menu and local suppliers Social Picnic Lincoln Castle #LincolnCastle #Lincoln @visitlincoln pic.twitter.com/jEdhV5WgRu

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) July 23, 2022

cappuccino Seven Districts Social Picnic Lincoln Castle #LincolnCastle #Lincoln @visitlincoln pic.twitter.com/uqsBD57vT3

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) July 23, 2022

Usually at these events, massive rip off. Less overcharging and greed, more due to high pitch fees, and the need to recover the outlay. I am pleased to say, no one was charging ripoff pices. Two half pints from the bar for a fiver. A cappuccino from Seven Districts £3-20. Dough LoCo were charging no more than their pizza parlor outside (and kids were free).

But no one seemed to be selling anything, no queues, for most of the stalls, no customers.

During the afternoon, castle grounds were busy. My guess were drifting in from the 1940s Weekend outside. I have never seen Castle Hill so busy. When I left, late afternoon early evening, Castle Hill deserted, stalls being dismantled, and no one entering the Castle.

The organisation abysmal. I saw no information anywhere. No posters, no fliers. The only fliers I have seen was on the bar at the event. Even Lincoln Castle had no information. Neither did those who had a stall.

Charging to enter the castle grounds for what is usually free entry a big mistake. A deterrent to enter, which only hits the stalls. Not charging, no need for the army selling tickets.

For my cappuccino, it doubled the price. For a half pint, it doubled the price.

No food to be brought in. I’d like to see that one enforced. A couple of weeks ago, fresh pasta from Nonna Juana Deli and a sandwich. I walked to the Castle and ate my sanwitch in the Castle grounds.

A more fundamental point, do not have these third parties run food festivals, if do, end up with junk food. Lincoln needs a street food festival. Start in Castle Hill, invite only, if not good, not invited again. Slowly build up reputation. If the food is good, people will wish to come, and quality street food vendors will wish to have a stall.

Is it worth visiting? Sadly not. Pay three quid to get in for hot dogs? I suppose we should be lucky no kebabs and German sausages.

… to be continued …

Dough Loco Midway session IPA

Outside Lincoln Castle, tucked in the far corner of a car park, a toilet block. What I had never noticed before, an alley runs past the toilet block. Tough if wished to use the toilets as closed.

The alley leads to Dough Loco.

Dough Loco tacky, trying too hard to be trendy. As can be seen with flavoured beer. Why adulterate good beer?

I am not going to make coffee. I stay and have a beer, not one of the trendy adulterated beers. I am told their pizza is better than Home Slice in Covent Garden. We will see, farmers market next week

Pedestrianise Bailgate

The local council proposal: rid the on-street parking and grant parking for residents (and of course nice little earner for the local council).

Bailgate Elite on the Bail #fishnchips @Chippyelite @EliteontheBail #EliteontheBail #Bailgate #Lincoln pic.twitter.com/X6VHZI51C7

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) February 12, 2020

No. Get rid of the on-street parking, seize the opportunity for radical change, pedestrianise Bailgate and make traffic free.

The only surprise is that this has not been done years ago. For that thank backward Bailgate Guild that is not doing Bailgate any favours.

propaganda and prejudice masquerading as a survey #trafficfree #carfree #pedestrianise #pollution #Bailgate #Lincoln pic.twitter.com/huhLPBxYL6

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) March 3, 2020

Bailgate Guild  are carrying out a survey. Maybe I should say ‘survey’. I have seen bad surveys, they nearly always are, slanted to deliver a desired result. But never this bad, so bad I could not in all honesty even call it a survey, this is prejudice and bias masquerading as a survey.

In local shops, asked to complete ‘survey’, but so-called survey takes as read have arrived by car, how many arrived by car etc etc.

Nowhere the option to say walked or used public transport.

Today I did both, is was raining, caught the bus, then walked to Bailgate along East Gate.

Usually I would walk up Steep Hill, a very pleasant walk, linger, but did walk back down.

At a guess, but quite an educated guess, 90% of those in Bailgate had walked.

The local council should treat this so-called survey with the contempt it deserves, ignore it.

A survey should ask, how did arrive:

• walk
• public transport
• car

Then go on to ask

• purpose of visit
• time of day
• how long
• where visit
• expenditure

I spent nigh on £50 if include a bill paid in the Post Office, which helps keep the little post office open.

I also walked around to The Lawn, had a coffee, then back through the grounds of Lincoln Castle, to then walk down Steep Hill.

There is on-street parking for about half a dozen cars. What do people do, drive round and round in the hope of finding a parking space?

Whilst I was walking along Bailgate, an idiot drove through at high speed in a 4×4.

Pedestrianise the street, make traffic free.

To do so immediately improves the environment for pedestrians, creates a safer environment, decreases pollution, contributes to reduction in greenhouse gases. Can then wander around without the risk of being run down, crisscross from side to side, will increase footfall, all the businesses benefit.

The focus should always be on making environments car free pedestrian friendly. On how do we benefit the environment, slow the rise in global temperature.

Creating a car free Bailgate would then create a pedestrian route from the High Street, up through The Strait, up Steep Hill, across Castle Hill and into Bailgate.

And for those who insist on using their cars, car parks nearby on two sides of the Lincoln Castle, and more car parking at The Lawn.

Bailgate could be divided into two halves. Castle Hill to Westgate business sector, Newport to Westgate residential. There would be an argument for resident parking in the residential sector. I would say no, grant permits to park in the nearby car parks.

Castle Hill #SteepHill #Bailgate #CastleHill #LincolnCathedral #Lincoln @visitlincoln pic.twitter.com/7sgok6U4j8

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) March 3, 2020

Harlequin once upon a time excellent bookshop driven out by greedy landlord #books #bookshop #SteepHill #Lincoln pic.twitter.com/zQhvOtHboZ

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) March 3, 2020

Steep Hill #SteepHill #Lincoln pic.twitter.com/OjnFkrC1TK

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) March 3, 2020

Steep Hill #SteepHill #Lincoln pic.twitter.com/Xxk5Rh8bLb

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) March 3, 2020

Christmas Emporium Lincoln Castle

Why is it everywhere has the desire to dump a few sheds in a town centre fill with tat and junk food and call it a Christmas Market?

Christmas Emporium Lincoln Castle #LincolnCastle #CastleHill #SteepHill #Bailgate #Lincoln pic.twitter.com/v15E4WQ8tI

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) December 21, 2019

dismal Christmas Emporium Lincoln Castle #LincolnCastle #CastleHill #SteepHill #Bailgate #Lincoln pic.twitter.com/mNr0aAN7FW

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) December 21, 2019

This market was dismal. I walked in a little after three to find no one around, all the sheds bar a couple closed. They had obviously closed before three. The ubiquitous junk food.

What is the point of a market that closes at three then reopens again at five, albeit to then charge £8 entrance fee?

I spoke to a couple of stallholders. To say the last they were thoroughly pissed off.  And I do not blame them. Paying a high fee for a pitch for no customers. They will not be returning.

I then found I could not get out the West Gate and had to walk around the Castle to Stokes at The Lawn

This is another example of the appalling mismanagement of Lincoln Castle. Complaints fall on deaf ears.

dismal Christmas Emporium Lincoln Castle https://t.co/jtWTcHPhod #LincolnCastle #CastleHill #SteepHill #Bailgate #Lincoln

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) December 22, 2019