The trip across to Wainfleet, our Lincolnshire base for two nights, seemed to take ages by train as having left Derby at just after 16.00 we were not in in our pub/hotel accommodation until 19.00. Three hours to travel around 80 miles!

The Woolpack Inn in Wainfleet gave us a fairly compact but adequate room that had views over the market place and was five minutes walk from the station. After our evening meal at the pub we were entertained (?) by the Friday night karaoke - needless to say some were better than others!

Saturday morning saw us head to Boston where it was market day. Not only were we able to do a bit of shopping in some eastern European shops (there are plenty) but also enjoy a visit to The Stump (St Botolphs Church) and the Maud Foster Mill.

The Maud Foster Mill was actually a chance visit, but one that was well worth the £4.00 entry fee. The mill is a commercial concern and the explanation behind the flour that is made by wind power alone by the miller himself was really interesting. We were there for an hour and a half and learned plenty - if you get a chance to visit I would recommend it.

Our late afternoon was spent in Skegness, if honest the three plus hours we had was plenty. Maybe we are just a bit snobbish, but having a week long holiday here just doesn't appeal. We struggled to find anywhere really decent for either a coffee or a beer. The Coffee Bean in High Street (or chip shop alley as it is also known) was pleasant enough but . . . . maybe Skegness is best left at that.

Once back in Wainfleet there was a chance to have dinner at Sutton's, a fish and chip shop with an adjoining restaurant. I have been to Sutton's a few times - it used to have coal fired fryers when I first visited - and Heather has always fancied visiting. The fish and chips were fabulous - just a shame the place isn't licensed as a beer or wine with dinner would have been great.

Fortunately there was no karaoke on at the Woolpack Inn on a Saturday so there was a chance of a decent sleep although the lack of soundproofing between the bar and the room was clearly evident. A couple of drinks in the bar did the trick and it was the alarm clock waking us up on Sunday morning.

After breakfast we had a wander around Wainfleet - it is a nice place despite being somewhat remote - before calling in at the Bateman's Brewery. This small family run brewery offered tours and of course a few hand pumps serving their own beer. After a few samples and the tour (including more samples) it was time to catch the first train of the day to Nottingham at 14.18!

With no buses, and a very poor Sunday rail service from mid September through to early May (there are morning trains in the summer only), this part of the country really is poorly served by public transport. Hopefully the next franchise will sort this and as our train was very busy it appears that there is a market for earlier trains throughout the year.

Will we be back to this area of the UK in the future - I doubt it. Was it worthy of a one off visit - yes, but probably would avoid Skegness as it seemed to have very little going for it (although the beaches, away from the town, were quite nice). It has been very much a 'tick in the box' exercise to say we have done it . . . . . Devon and Cornwall next weekend which will hopefully be much more our cup of tea!