Not a relative in sight in Nottingham

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Panorama The line up near the centre of shopping district in Nottingham

Day 19-21 Nottingham today by train-bus-train. They are working on the Birmingham line so the trip will take a bit longer but no less efficient. Again, an easy transition from pack mule to wandering tourist with camera. I meet the locals at the Igloo Hostel. There are about 12 semi permanent residents here and it has a different feel from the normal hostel. With all the various characters in this scenario it's more like Faulty Towers. Maud is the lady in charge and she likes a good chat "Oh, I know" but if it's information you need, she calls on Kevin (a British Indian or Indian Brit) who can tell you all about the people and the places to visit for the best deals. Kevin has been living in the hostel on and off for 13 years. He also tells me he likes older women and what am I doing travelling on my own? Sheesh! There's also a Spanish guy in the kitchen looking for his pet hhhamster named Basil.

Like I said in my Cardiff blog, I was going to be picky about which castles I see. Nottingham Castle was on my list but you could imagine how stupid I felt when I discover there's no castle left on the grounds. There is a more recent structure which was a renovated building of something only a couple hundred years old. I was quite miffed. Anyway, I have referred to the lack of structure as Not the Nottingham Castle in my travelpics. This more recent structure is a museum and a great one at that.

I did a lot of walking around town and it proved itself quite friendly in an olde worlde kind of way. There was a nice feel about it. Along all the sidewalks are posters advertising Robin Hood month in May. This also coincides with the release of the new movie of the same name starring Russell Crowe (not a stretch for him in character - refer Gladiator) and Cate Blanchett. Obviously, it takes Australians to play the part of medieval hero and damsel in distress in England. I've seen the previews and it looks like it'll be a good film.

I visited the oldest inn in England, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalum, which looks like a normal old building from the outside but upon entry you quickly see how small a pub it is. The rooms are dug into the sandstone rock which forms the base to where the castle used to stand. People are crammed in like sardines in all the nooks and crannies. It was difficult to move around but quite full of character. Next to the Inn is the Brewers Yard, the housing for the workers and the little school the children attended. One thing I notice in the museums I've been to is the interactive or realistic displays. They have "Please touch" signs. Really! In the school, you could sit at a desk (if one could fit on the little seat) open the lid and find books from the period. Each desk had books from a different subject. Much more interesting than a roped off doorway.

I walked the rest of the day around the city streets, taking in the architecture, which in this case is a strange mix of really old and really tacky. Some streets are named after the famous people of the age. My favourite was Maid Marian Way, 'cos she got her 'Way' in the end..ha ha. Get it?

One thing that cities like to do to attract attention is to find the most scenic part of town and decide "Yes, I think we'll put a Ferris Wheel here". Strewth! What is it about putting a huge hunk of metal in the middle of the best looking street?

I had brunch at a very nice Italian Restaurant in a very old building. I walk in to be greeted by a surly young Russian woman who clearly did not want to be there. She motioned for me to sit at a table in a dark area of the restaurant (only 2 tables used out of 25) and I asked if I could sit near the window (obviously the best seat in the restaurant). She showed her frustration and I was right at that line of should I leave or stay. I chose to stay because I was starving. So I ask her (along the lines of Bristol Bus driver) "Are you not happy to be here?" She snapped out of it after that but I do have to say that the next day when I walked by again, I saw a sign in the window asking for waiting staff with 'Sunny Disposition'. Maybe she's on her way back to Russia.

Overall, Nottingham is a nice place to visit but you wouldn't want to live there. Probably why my grandparents moved to Australia in the first place.

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Photos

It's a little known fact that Robin Hood was a snappy Tango dancer.
He was very popular with the fair maidens.

Does anyone know someone named Dobson or Frettingham?
The silence was deafening. Crickets could be heard in the background.

A picture of me taken by a 3 year old with my camera. Aww how cute.
Inside the museum at Not the Nottingham Castle

The oldest inn in England 1189AD
ye olde trip to Jerusalum Inn

It is said to be the pregnancy chair. Sit in it and you'll be pregnant very soon.
There's another legend too. A ship which is now behind protective glass. Anyone who touched the ship would fall an ill fate of death. Apparently it's true! Really!

The Brewers' Yard with the old inn at the far end.
All were built into the sandstone rock. Tunnels were dug out for extra storage and protection from air raids during wartime.

Comments

[Alice]

You're doing it!
You are living the dream, Girl! You are the best blogger ever! Very thorough, humorous and interesting. I shared one with my friend who lived in Egypt, S. Korea, Poland, etc. and she was similarly impressed. Love you!

[The Dangling Carrot]

Thanks Alice
When are you off on your next adventure? xx

[shelley]

Does anyone know Dobson or Frettingham
I do, they are my great great grandparents, tell me what is the connection between the photograph and the public house (which one)