Sunday 13 August 2017

Nottingham morning routine

Well I've now been in Nottingham long enough to have established a regular morning walk. Perhaps you would like to join me?

Before heading down the road to Beeston lock, it is important to check there have been no overnight trespassers in Janet's wee front garden.

When we reach the canal, I like to inspect the houseboats, and contemplate an alternative life style.

The river Trent flows beside the canal here, and yesterday, when Gail was admiring the reflections of the willow trees on the far bank, I inadvertently stepped into to water that was deeper than anticipated and nearly had to be rescued. (Gail was too shaken to take any photos of my wet and muddy self).

To continue the circuit we cut through the grounds of the Nottingham Casuals rugby club. Human Grandad used to play for this club in the 1950s.

Just a few days ago Gail asked an old family friend, the wife of one of HGD's erstwhile rugby club pals, about the origin of the name 'Casuals'. The reply came back thus: "Well I don't think they took the game too seriously Gail, they were all a bit hopeless really, and mostly interested in the booze..." And then she went on the describe the pub on the edge of the Lace Market (in the days when that part of Nottingham was derelict not trendy) where the rugby players and the braver of their girlfriends congregated after the games, and how it always smelled of cat pee.

Those were the days...

Back to the walk. Finally, we return along the embankment on the other side of the canal.

Although this stretch is best avoided on Saturday mornings when the 'Park Run' fraternity meet.

It is, of course, a good place for making friends. And as Gail is always reminding me, Nottingham has long been famed for its surplus of pretty girls...

Well apparently our summer sojourn down in Nottingham comes to an end tomorrow when, after calling in to wish Human Granny Happy Birthday, we shall be setting off home to Scotland.

It's been fun.

11 comments:

  1. Hari OM
    OMD>>>>> shame Mac1 wasn't down there this w/end, cuz fur certain sure she'd have been on that park run!!! Mac3 doesn't join the crowd - prefers to run his own route... Sorry to hear you you had a dunking; did it involve another baffing at home??? Happy Greetings to HGY and safe travels home wee pal. Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  2. Oh Bertie that was indeed a fine walk about minus the dip in the canal.
    How very interesting to learn background to rugby and HGD. MOLMOLMOL the non trendy part of Nottingham smelled like cat pee OMCS and we know just how concentrated cat pp can be. That was fun learning about HGD in his whippersnapper years. Bertie who is that lovely lady you are kissing?
    Please wish HGY a very happy birthday.
    Have a good trip home to Scotland and remember no independent trips out on any of the platforms.
    Hugs madi your bfff

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  3. What a beautiful place Nottingham seems to be,sorry about your little water incident!
    Happy Birthday to HG, and safe travels back home!
    xoxo
    Jakey & Arty

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  4. You do get to see so many new places Bertie, what an exciting life you lead - in spite of the dunking !
    Happy Birthday to HG, and a safe journey home.

    Love,
    Inca xx

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  5. You have had a great trip! And the pretty girls thing must be legit too! Safe travels home!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  6. A lovely place to walk. SHE has always had a secret wish to live on a houseboat...or holiday on a canal boat. Wish Happy Birthday to HGY from us, too.

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  7. It is a nice routine you had Bertie. Safe travels home.

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  8. I love your routine... and this boat... ooooh THIS boat! the mama wants one too... butt I have some doubts that there is a boat in my daddy's wallet... ;O)))

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  9. Happy birthday to HG and of course a very safe trip home.

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  10. Happy Belated Birthday to HGY
    Nottingham is soooo full of history and interesting places to explore and visit, Mum is getting all nostalgic for her student days spent there!
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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