Tuesday 5 July 2011

Nottingham.

IMG_0003 No 440

We had a good trip on Monday down the Trent via the Cranfleet and Beeston Cuts.  These canals were cut to bypass parts of the Trent which were un-navigable, thus providing a permanent route to Nottingham. Several canal boats passed us making their way up and there were some unusual craft moored  along the way.

IMG_0004   IMG_0007 FMC 1895

On Tuesday we walked down to explore the city, there were several of these unusual old iron signs around. The remains of the Fellows Moreton and Clayton buildings were still in use mainly as a museum and posh eating places, this one dates from 1895. We couldn’t pass Wetherspoons without popping in to enjoy a mug of coffee with some tasty toasted teacakes.

IMG_0008 Busker

This jolly busker was entertaining the passers by and intriguing the children with his violin playing puppet and music. The little violin case in front of him kept filling up with silver coins as he was so popular. I think his dog had heard it all before though, as he was curled up fast asleep.

    IMG_0011 Tram by Town Hall    IMG_0014 Robin shooting his last arrow

Trams were silently stopping off in Old Market Square as we made our way to find the TIC to get a street map. I wanted to visit the old pub that was carved into the rocks. We passed the imposing entrance to the Castle and perused the statues of Robin Hood and his Merry Men in the gardens at the side. This plaque amused me as inscribed underneath it is  ‘Robin shooting his last arrow’.

IMG_0015

At last we arrived at Ye Old Trip to Jerusalem dated AD 1189, as you can see the bars at the rear extend back into the carved out soft rock. By this time we were feeling rather thirsty so strolled inside for a drink. It was rather dark in there, but very nice and cool as we sat sipping our beer.

IMG_0017 Caves in the soft rock

Just around the corner are more ‘caves’ cut into the rock on the top of which sits Nottingham Castle.

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