Nottingham of Robin Hood fame




guess who



Castle rock with caves

The oldest inn looks great for something built in 1159

Medieval house and shop

We left at 8.30 and cruised up the Beeston cut to Nottingham. It was cool but still warm enough to venture out with just tee shirt and shorts. As were cruised past coots swimming through yellow lilies a swarm of cyclists whizzed along the towpath in both directions. It was the work rush hour, how pleasant to cycle and keep fit rather than drive into the neighbouring town.
At Nottingham we replenished our supplies and explored the town which claimed to have the oldest inn in England. I found the brewery museum below the castle fascinating. There were lots of man-made caves dug into the rock. Some were made by poor cottagers who had tunnelled behind their tiny homes to make a small bedroom. Others were carved out to store beer. It was amazing how the brickwork caves and rock wove together.
 Being Nottingham there was of course a statue of Robin Hood in front of the castle which grew out of solid rock. 

Nearby was a medieval house which had been moved to a new site opposite the castle. It was tiny yet the ground floor had been a shop and the upper floor the living quarters, a far cry from the superstores of today. By midday the heat was scorching so we returned to the boat and rested in the shade.