Robin Hood...Prince of Beer

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Hiyas everyone! I'm in full tilt British mode now and getting my internet connection sorted out at my place in Leicester. It's really a great city and I'll be posting pics of it within the next week. Leicester people don't get many Americans visiting, so my accent is a suprise to most people. I must look as if I fit in, though, because everywhere I go, someone asks me for directions.

So, today I took a twenty minute train ride to Nottingham. That's right, the old stomping grounds of that fabled hero, Robin Hood. The most interesting aspect of Nottingham has to be the castle. Though the original structure burned in the mid nineteenth century, the castle walls still remain and they are quite huge.

Right next to the castle is an Inn and Pub called Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem. It is the most unique pub that I've ever stepped foot in as it has been operating since the year 1189 AD. With it's dim lighting, cave walls (it's built into the side of the castle) and winding staircases, it's easy to see why this is a popular stop for tourists and locals alike. I stopped in for a pint and sat back imagining what it would have been like in the middle ages. Perhaps the next table over would have been filled with the henchmen of the Sheriff of Nottingham, or even Robin Hood himself. Overall, The Trip (as the locals have dubbed the pub) was facsinating to visit. If you'd like to see more on this pub, visit www.triptojerusalem.com

The rest of the city is fairly modern and is a sort of shopping meca. There are lots of boutiques, shops and pubs. If you're ever in town, stop by The Pit and the Pendulum. It's an interesting bar with secret passageways to the bathroom by way of a bookcase and basically the entire place looks like a dungeon.

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Photos

English Roses
Saw these on my way to the castle and thought they were pretty. They smelled amazing!

Nottingham Castle Gate House

Replacement Castle?
This buliding went up after the castle burned. Though it is old, it just isn't castle material.

In Honor of Robin Hood
There is a lot of specualtion as to whether Robin Hood actually existed, but the city council put up a statue for him just in case...

The Trip
1189 AD...hmmm, I wonder if the beer is that old.

The Trip and The Castle
You can just see the walls of Nottingham castle behind the Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem Inn.

Comments

[Karen]

Wow!!!
Hey now you make me want to travel.

[deleted_17252]

Beer is good
I think that we should have a pint for your birthday when you get back!

[ken]

llaura miss you glad you are having a great time be safe see you soon