Better late than never…...

I have been TOTALLY uninspired to write for the past few weeks. The weather has been cold, wet, grey and totally blah and why am I whining?? It could be a LOT worse ie. in the minus double digits as it has been, and still is, in Callander, Ontario. I've realized I do need a little bit of sunshine and daily walks to keep my mojo working and my yin and yang balanced! I've spent waaaay too much time on the internet googling random stuff to make me laugh - I'll share some of it but, be warned, it is random!!

I've always thought of myself as an optimist until I saw this:

I think the third glass has a very valid point so…. maybe I'm a realist as, when I saw this:

All I could see were the calories!!!

 I'll leave it to your imagination what I saw in this:

Which I really kind of like, so ……. I will stick with being an optimistic realist!! 

Moving on…..

A few weeks ago I met up with another friend, Anna, whom I've known since childhood. In fact we are distantly related through marriage and, like me, she was born in Nottingham of Polish parents so we have lots in common. We met up downtown at everyone's favourite meeting place! This time, instead of a Christmas tree in the Market Square, this is what I found:

The Nottingham Wheel. A VERY large enclosed Ferris wheel modelled on the London Eye. I've been on this before, there are great views of the city from the top but I think I'll wait for better weather. This is what it looks like at night:

Anna and I were on a mission:

We were off to see Michael, nicknamed 'the wig man'!!

After climbing at least five flights of very steep stairs, in a very old building, we came to his salon.

Michael was charming, very professional and just totally lovely!! He explained that he had trained and worked as a hairdresser for many years but his specialty now was fitting wigs for women with hair loss for whatever reason, including those post-chemo.  He took great pride in his work, ensuring the colour, fit and style suited each individual client. Anna had chosen her style the week before and was coming now to be fitted with her own personal hairpiece. As soon as it was placed on her head she began to beam!!!!

Michael trimmed, primped and pouffed until he was totally satisfied with the total effect. Anna couldn't stop beaming!! The effect was a total transformation!

Without seeming patronizing, I am totally awed and inspired by people like Michael, one of our unsung heroes, who make such a difference to people's lives. His pride in his work was truly evident.

Way to go Anna, you ROCK!!!!!

So…… an opportunity like this can't go by without a wee celebration……..

We headed down Standard Hill and past Nottingham Castle……….

We passed this cool looking dude…………

You HAVE to know who he is!

We passed this old Tudor house… The grey building to the right is People's College of Further Education. I went to school there for a year post 'A' levels to study English Lit and Chemistry. It was also very fortuitously placed across the road from where we were heading and where, as students, we spent a lot of time!!!

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, affectionately known as 'The Trip' to all Nottinghamians.

The Trip is said to be the oldest inn in England, dating back to the 12th Century. Richard the Lionheart had reputably stopped here on his way to fight in the Crusades. The Inn is partly built into the Castle rock with lots of nooks and crannies:

It's usually crowded and, if you're tall, watch your head!! People were a lot shorter years ago!

Here's Anna's Knight-in Shining-Armour admiring her new hair-do!!!

After a brief stop we headed down Maid Marian Way, crossed by St. Nicholas' Church (constructed in 1678!!), passed by another favourite watering hole of our youth:

The Royal Children

We stopped by one of our favourite stores again - just to look!!!

Guess what caught my eye??

I was VERY tempted…. my favourite colours!! But I resisted…for now!!

I LOVE bright colours. I just don't get everyone wearing grey, black and drab colours, whether in Nottingham, London, Vancouver, Toronto or New York when we have beautiful bright colours that sing to the soul!! 

And, a reminder that spring is just around the corner on this side of the pond and that nature is full of colour:

The crocuses and snowdrops are beginning to bloom.

Later on that week………. I was able to go to the theatre to see this stage musical that I have been really looking forward to:

The Full Monty.

It was drop dead fantabulous, funny, hilarious… even better than the movie!! I loved it!! The audience did too! And yes, it WAS the Full Monty…...

During the interval we went outside on the balcony to cool off!! Phew...

These were the views of Nottingham:

I have been so  fortunate to grow up in such a great city and to have such a charmed life!

And just because this made me laugh, I'm adding this:

Talk soon

Zoe

PS. Anna and I are headed to Poland in a few weeks, should be VERY interesting and lots of fun!