More Nottingham, and the Sheriff Thereof

I took this photo on the way back from that mysterious mall -- the one that wasn't open, but actually was -- where I had my coffee yesterday morning. I wonder what "fried chicken (u.k)" means? Are the chickens from Britain, or are they fried in a British style -- and if so, how is that different from frying in any other style?

At least the chicken on the sign looks suitably terrified, as opposed to some chicken shops that make it seem like the bird is downright happy to be beheaded, plucked and fried up for someone's meal.

I got out of Mama's guesthouse fairly early yesterday morning. My train didn't leave until 2 p.m. but I decided to just carry my backpack and camera bag as I explored, so I wouldn't have to return to the room. Mama's was a weird little place. I never saw a human being there in the morning. I simply dropped my keys in a drawer as requested when I "checked out." And despite signs promising "magnificent breakfasts," there was no food to be had at all, aside from green apples on a hall table.

Instead I walked into town and went to Cafe Nero, where I had a pistachio croissant (new to me and not terrible) and some fruit salad, before taking a photo walk around town.

I loved this bus -- such a colorful and unapologetic celebration of human diversity. As it should be.

I eventually made my way over to Nottingham Castle, a historic fortification on a hill overlooking the city. This is the medieval front gate (above), but the "castle" itself is not that old. The original medieval castle was demolished after the English Civil War in the 1600s, and a mansion built on its site. The mansion was then extensively renovated a couple of times, most recently just a few years ago. It's now a history center and art museum.

Of course it focuses partly on the myth of Robin Hood, perhaps the most famous Nottingham resident ever. As I watched a humorous and interesting video presentation about him, I realized that I know almost none of the specific stories. I know the main characters, and I loved the Disney animated movie when I was a kid, in which all the characters are animals (Robin Hood and Maid Marian are foxes, for example). But I could not tell you any specific Robin Hood tale. I know he robbed from the rich to give to the poor, and there's something about him splitting someone else's arrow with a shot of his own, I think.

Incidentally, some of you asked in the comments if there's a real Sheriff of Nottingham. The evil sheriff in the stories is said to be a composite representing government oppression, perhaps based on several real individuals. In the modern era, the sheriff is a ceremonial position meant to encourage tourism and local culture. The current sheriff is a black woman -- surely a step forward since Robin's day.

From the terrace of the castle I could look out over much of the city, getting a bird's-eye view of pigeons resting on rooftops. I also browsed an interesting photography exhibit and historic collections focused on local crafts like pottery and lace, as well as acquisitions from around the world.

I then had a pint at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, said to be "the oldest inn in England." (That record is claimed by many pubs.) Supposedly Richard the Lionheart stopped here with his men for a refreshing tipple before setting off on the Crusades. The oldest parts of the existing building come from the 1600s -- not medieval but still nothing to sneeze at!

I got to the station in time for my train, only to learn that the line was closed because of a fatality on the tracks. (The fatality actually happened in London, in fact right here in West Hampstead, but it disrupted service on the entire line all the way up into the Midlands.) At the direction of rail staff, I took a different train to the town of Grantham, where I then switched for one headed down to London. It all worked out OK in the end.