The great Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood, someone who didn’t like him and bloody Brian Adams – all nothing like you heard they were.
Another earyish start from Newcastle and thirty mins down the road stopping for some McDonalds. Breakfast Wrap and a bacon roll for greedy chops, normal food for the rest. The trip down was about three hours but again we had quite a good run, until we got into Nottinghamshire, where all the roads had 50 mile an hour speed limits and average speed camera’s. I would kill something if I lived there (or perhaps avoid the roads?) – but we got into Nottingham and took a diversion into a residential street to find a Windmill. We almost gave up, but find it we did and quite good it was too. Another free visit, it is a working mill, and you can go inside and see the bits that hurt and maim you. Quite liked that in a Good Life sort of way.
Once semi checked in we followed the map into Nottingham itself and walked the canal to find the castle – we saw a house on a hill with a Welsh flag flying (it was St David’s Day) and carried on expecting something more castle like. We were disappointed. We went for a beer on the canal side, two pubs were completely packed, one had no one in. We had a drink in the one no one was in – Sian said it was the worst wine she had ever had (and she’s had a few), but my 1664 was okay. We sat outside as it was sunny, but then a load of people came and the sun buggered off, so we left.
It was getting a little late now, so we headed for a pub we had passed earlier right next to the so called castle which offered fish and chips. Now this was more like it, a really nice place, which was quiet and gave you fish and chips in a box, with “real” vinegar and wooden knives and forks., They dropped a bollox with our order and brought the wrong things out, so as an appology they offered us a free round – can’t be bad – I almost said no – but just couldn’t make myself. When the food came it was good along with curry sauce and gravy.
After food we went to the caves under Nottingham – they were fully booked – we didn’t do so well on attractions. So instead we walked back to the hotel to checkin. Room was good, all newly renovated – but there were 10 lads checking in before us – on a stag do – and on our floor, and next to our room – you can guess what happened later. So after the check in we headed back into town and to a slightly odd place where I had a grolsh, then we traipsed around Nottingham firstly following some ice hockey fans to see where they were going (we didn’t realise they were ice hockey fans when we started stalking them) then found the only pub which looked like it might allow Kate in. It was a “rock” pub, or at least a pub with rock music on the jukebox. We had a couple of beers listening to AC/DC and Stiff Little Fingers – and then Suspicious Minds – so it wasn’t all rock!
The Indian street was just over the road, so we went to the highly recommended one – they poured scorn on us when we said we haddn’t booked, so we tried the next “best” also packed, so we went to another, and there was plenty of room, they took our coats and were very very friendly. It may have been a quid or two more than the others (maybe, not even sure that was the case) but I really enjoyed it. Tiger beer on tap and a great Chilli Chicken Curry went down a storm. It was relaxed, and friendly and I really enjoyed it. Then we staggered home.
Nottingham – 7/10
Hotel – 8/10