10-Apr-2023
We've been here in Newark (Nottinghamshire) for a week now. And we've been enjoying just doing all the old things -- some of which we weren't really able to do last year, in mid-pandemic, and none of which ever actually get old anyway...
Fish and chips with the family. Walks in Sconce and Devon Park (sometimes with ice cream...). Coffee in town. Lincolnshire plum loaf. Chinese take-away that lasts us two days. All the old favourite Newark strolls (the former railway line, the Balderton loop, Nether Lock...). Shopping for Great British cheeses (a new one has been Wild Garlic Yarg, which looks very like the nettle-wrapped cousin we had last year, but tastes, very subtly and delicately, of wild garlic).
This is where we generally join the rail trail
Nigel train-spotting on the Balderton loop
Outside Newark, we've had a run to the local garden centre, and a trip to family in Ripley, Derbyshire (where the spectacularly tasty home-made tapas will go down in PT history).
So -- long story short -- it's been a very pleasant week.
Here's the photo record:
Last Monday. Still in Weston-super-Mare, shopping for breakfast and lunch on a bright, frosty morning
Breaking the journey at the War Memorial Park near Coventry. Three hours' free parking. Views to enjoy with your in-car picnic. Toilets. Coffee. And big enough for a decentish mid-journey walk. Highly recommendable
Excellent picnic pudding: clotted-cream-dipped strawbs!
The memorial
The Japanese Peace Garden
And here we are in Newark. We've had a number of sunny days, and spring is really happening
But Newark's also pretty in the rain...
... or in the mist
Once the Easter bank holiday weekend is over (which it will be tomorrow), we'll try to be a bit more adventurous.
But there'll also be absolutely nothing wrong with more of the same...