An industrial wander

This is a re-creation of a #wander I did last week. I used a proper camera this time, instead of the iPhone one - which only works well under certain lighting conditions.

So anyway, I thought I'd walk South for a change - I never have reason to go to this part of the city, and have only been through it in a car a handful of times.

I'm not sure what the next building was originally, but it seems to be a pool hall now.

The city proper finishes rather abruptly here - presumably there were many factories and warehouses to server the nearby railway and canal.

Before it's industrial period, this part of the city was said to be an area of outstanding beauty. The only reminder of the pools, marshes and crocus fields are in street names. It is still referred to as The Meadows.

A great warehouse - I would love to do a #wander IN here.

This is the incinerator. It burns our rubbish, and heats some of the houses in the city.

I'm not sure what these brilliant little chimney are for... and old brewery?

These are the gates to the old cattle market.

A concrete boob!

Some of the old industrial units along London Road have real character.

The London Road Low Level Station - they don't make train stations like this any more.

And back to the city, in all its jumbled glory.

This is the old Plumptre Hospital - it was an almshouse from 1392 to 1991, though the current building only dates from 1823.

And back up to the Lace Market, through a dry forgotten alleyway.

There is even a stone staircase fenced at both ends.

Update: They are called Long Stairs, and have been closed for at least 90 years - and even used to feature half a dozen fig trees! www.nottshistory.org.uk

And out into Commerce Square.

That is all, I hope you enjoyed it.

A Farnsfield wander

On a recent day out to meet family living at Farnsfield in Nottinghamshire, I took the opportunity to #wander down the main street. It is a beautiful village.

Here is my mum, my son and my cousin.

I'd love to live here one day... surprise lottery win permitting.

I love the mix of elegant Georgian houses with these rather rustic, functional farming buildings.

Even pretty little villages have damp little alleyways - they just have rather more charm than the ones in the city.

And there you have it... my mum and my little boy walking home.

I hope you enjoyed my rare foray outside the city limits of Nottingham.

Rufford wander

A lovely sunny Saturday called for a wander up to, and round, Rufford Abbey country park, to enjoy a stroll around its parkland, lake, gardens, craft shops and the ruins of the Cistercian abbey itself...

Train danger

Across the tracks which cut through the fields on the way to Rufford

Golden cornfields

Past the powerlines

And here we are. Rufford Abbey, founded by the Earl of Lincoln in 1146. It fell into desrepair in the 1940s and was mostly demolished in the 50s, but there's enough still remaining to form the centrepiece of the park.

The nice, undemolished-looking side as we pass into the courtyard

In the Orangery

Sculptures dotted around the grounds. Apple dude is a particular favourite. And I like this new addition - a curvy stone bench featuring our owl friend, here

@shelley279 filling in at the headless statue

Big egg

Lovely little gateway to the kiddie area

Ducks on the lake. Note the dangerous duck kept caged on the Alcatraz-style prison island for everyone's safety (or Alquacktraz, as @shelley279 would have it). He must've snuck in through the bars, even though that looked impossible, as we saw another in there squeeze his way out

OK, that Alquacktraz was an appalling pun, but @shelley279 redeemed herself in the garden centre with 'Bag-puss', when faced with this chap snoozing in one of the displays

Inside part of the ruined Abbey

Ye olde plug socket

Up the steps to the ruins of the main hall

Monk-ey magic

Heading off. Last glimpse of the main buidling...

...and a nearby tower

Quick pic of the coat of arms on the top of the archway, and we're off home...