Monday 11^th May 2015

 Decent kip – WC’d tests done:

Sys 159 Dia 159 Puls 104 Temp 33.2

Got things ready for walk into town to meet with Pete who was to give me a mystery tour?

The moon was still visible in the sky at 0845hrs.

The usual pavement cyclists were suffered en route into the City Centre.

There were actually more than photographed here, but they
were too quick for me to catch on camera.

Met Pete and he guided me to the bus stop for the Route 100 Pathfinder bus.

 I could see on the information read out that this bus went to Southwell, a route of about 16 or so miles.

Thank heavens for the pensioners free bus-pass! 

The weather was behaving but the bouncy bus made me waste a few shots that blurred a bit.

As we left Carlton we went under the Searing Hill bridge – so sad that no trains use it nowadays.

Going into Burton Joyce brought back many memories of me Co-op working days, and some of the houses Pete helped build still stood!

Gave us cause for a natter or two that did.

On and toward Lowdham island and through the village.

More memories evoked for both of us.

The sky was looking good as we left the village of Thurgarton.

I asked Pete what the mystery trip was about?

He said he was planning to do a 10 mile Nottingham Walk as advertised in the Nottingham Post and we were going to the starting point so he would know where is was next week when he went on it.

Oh good I thought.

We carried on (Well the bus did) and arrived at the outskirts of Southwell.

Through Brackenhurst Campus, the Dumbells, the Ropewalk then the terminus Norwood Gardens, Southwell.

Proof that the bus was driving within the speed limit showing near the junction of our destination.

Pete got out his Ordnance Survey map and his compass and scale rule for his map out and we were off down the main street, Lower Kirklington Road.

Pete soon identified the leafy lane we were to walk down and again got out his paraphernalia and assessed it was 1.8 miles to the car park he was looking for (The start point of the 10 mile Walk).

 He encouraged me to carry on and ignore me arthritis and angina.

It really was a nice day, we plodded on, finding a concealed area for a wee-wee in the trees.

Just in time as some horse-riders appeared coming in the other direction on the narrow footpath.

I assumed it was a lady rider as Pete got out his mobile to take a photo and I got my camera out and took one of him taking one of her if yer ee wot I mean like?

The knees were giving me some gip now.

As we passed under an old railway bridge Pete found it on his map and showed considerable interest in the fancy brickwork I pointed out to him.

We came across a small beck near the next bridge and this reminded Pete of his young days a-wandering around the area as like wot he did.

Eventually, weary and tired we arrived at the aforesaid car park that Pete wanted to find.

A sign indicated we had 3 miles to walk to get back to Southwell!

Oh Good I thought…

Made my day that did – Hehe.

I broke out the nibbles and tried to look at the old railway station that was there many years ago.

Pete took me around the back and we saw the old Station-Master’s house was still in use – modernised and that like.

Ah, memories.

Pete pointed out the route, and we backtracked to the bus-stop in Southwell.

The bus arrived and we departed on our way back into Nottingham.

A little further on we passed the famous Saracens Head public house.

A long history that place has. It filled its useful purpose as an Inn to 5th May, 1674.

On that day an event occurred within its walls which made it famous. In those days it was called “The Kings Head”, and it was here at seven 0’clock in the morning that King Charles arrived heartbroken and weary after an all-night ride in appalling circumstances, accompnied by Dr Hudson.

From Charles’ point of view the war was lost and he was trying to make the best terms he could. Negotiations between going on between Charles and the Scottish Commissioners. At last Hudson had succeeded in obtaining terms which would be acceptable to both sides.

Charles was stolen out of Oxford, he reached Southwell where he met Montreuil, the French envoy who was acting as intermediary.

.Charles surrendered and was invited to accompany them to headquarters of the Scottish army at Kelham.

That was the end of Charles as a free man.

The name of the “Kings Head” was changed to “Saracens Head”. It was wondered if the “Saracens Head” was a covert reference to Charles 11 who was referred to by his friends as “The Black Boy”, after his flight from Worcester and during those days when loyalty spelt danger.

On through the villages chatting away… not the villages chatting away like, me and Pete chatting away I mean like.

Under the bridge into Carlton and we were soon back in town.

Pete came with me to the EE shop and a very kind young lady helped show me how to sign in my email on me mobile.

She offered to sell me a cable to transfer me photo’s from the camera to me laptop – Pete said he had one at home I could have. Saved a bit there then.

Pete did his best to ensure I’d got the message about what to do to get signed in on me mobile.

We parted and I caught the bus back home with me aching feet (I’d have  job without em eh?).

On the bus, me mobile rang, it was the warden from the MRBA housing informing me they had a flat coming free and would I like to have a look – I said yes and thanked her – if I got off at the next stop the place would only be a five minute walk away – how fortunate.

I dropped off and called to see the lady and the flat – I registered my interest, she asked me to ring her tomorrow and let her know yea or nae.

I’ve got to go to the hospital tomorrow for me INR tests, I’ll call in on me way home and let her know yea!

Then I was all in a right state in me mind – so much to get done, the first thing is to start cleaning up and clearing out – hard on yer own and without transport.

Pete said he would help with the selling of the house, I rang him and he said to get things moving and then let him know.

The brain is racing now – worrying, fretting…

Walked home, nearly being clobbered by a pavement cyclist en-route!

Got in the dump and WC’d.

Wasn’t hungry at all. too tensed and nervous now with the thought of managing everything with the prospective move into sheltered housing. Then I thought of the costs – I forgot to ask the warden what the rent is? Must do that tomorrow***

Mad a nosh of sort but couldn’t eat it all.

My diary’s will not be so light hearted or detailed for while, due to being needed to work on me new problems. Sorry.

.Oh, Pete took some photo’s of me on his phone – if he sends them before I nod off I’ll add them, otherwise add the to tomorrow’s news.

He’s sent em now: