************************** After our visit to the reclamation yard on the Thursday we decided to go and visit my very good friend Cheryl. Regardless of the reason for visiting Nottinghamshire I always visit Cheryl. Even if it’s only for a short visit I like to go and see her. This is the only drawback about living in Cornwall, I don’t get to see my friends as much as I would like......
National Water Sports Centre, Holme Pierrepont, Nottinghamshire***************
Having taken a picnic lunch with us we decided to stop at the National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierrepont, near Nottingham, before going on to Cheryl’s. This place has a special meaning to me for it was my father who built the original basin for the water. I can remember standing in this basin when my father had completed the first stage, obviously it was empty of water...lol.....
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I stood in this basin when my dad had finished it.....
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The Centre is set in 270 acres of parkland and consists of three distinct areas of water where all manner of water sports are seen. Situated in peaceful surroundings next to the River Trent it also provides a safe haven for wildlife. I used to bring my son Christopher here when he was small. It’s a great day out for the family because it is open all year round and there is no entry fee charged when no events are scheduled. I don’t know if or what the cost is otherwise. I know my son used to love the freedom while walking around the site and we always took a picnic.......
White Water Raffting (wikipedia)
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On the left side of the parkland is the River Trent, seen here with some private boats. The red and black tape seen in this photo indicates that they may also use this stretch of water for events.....
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Watery Sunlight Reflecting on the Water
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We parked in the top area and I decided to go for a wander. Although it was not raining there was a cold breeze and Andy decided to stay in the car after we had eaten our lunch....Andy’s not one for walking anyway. His excuse is ‘If God wanted us to walk he would not have invented cars’....lol...
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Beautiful little Island...
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Some geese enjoying the sun ***************
I would have liked to have taken more photographs but my camera battery was low. I also couldn’t stay as long as I would have liked because we still had to see Cheryl and be back at Hannah’s for the people she was kindly going to cook for us......what!....lol...hehehe....I left this in because seriously this is how I had written it. What was I thinking!!! It should have read 'Back at Hannah's for the meal she was kindly going to cook for us'.......lol....
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One of the many swans that are seen on the River Trent***************
We are now back at the start, my photographs do not do the parkland justice.....Eventually arrived at Cheryl’s, which is only about 3 to 4 miles from the centre and it was lovely to see her and her son Lee. Spent a little time with them but soon had to leave but the meal waiting for us was a good incentive......
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A Welcoming sight as we walked in. Soft lighting and table set...
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And what a meal, Hannah is a lovely cook, people aside...hehe... With the tree lights on, it was a pleasant and memorable last night in Nottingham......
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So much better in real life
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A view through the window
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Friday morning soon came around and Cornwall beckoned but I had one last stop to make. Hannah had said in passing that Brinsley, where Hannah lives, had the only surviving wooden headstocks. Well I had to go and find out what these were and where.......
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Brinsley Headstocks
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These headstocks are sited near the original Brinsley Pit. It seems that when they were first erected here in the 1870’s they were not new then. It appears that they originally came from Willey Lane Colliery when it closed down. Despite being ‘second-hand’ they continued to be used for the next hundred years until in 1970 Brinsley Pit was shut down for good. The headstocks were then dismantled and re-erected in the National Mining Training Centre and Museum at Lound Hall...However in 1989 the museum closed and in 1991, thanks to the British Coal and Nottinghamshire Council, the headstocks were re-erected in Brinsley near to the original site.....How do I know this? Well it was not google this time but from information taken from one of the many booklets about Brinsley written by Ztan Smith, a local historian. Thank you....As I am want to do, I visited the local post office to buy some books about the area and acquired five in all. They will also help me with researching Hannah’s cottage, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it...lol...
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The House in the Woods
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The car park for the headstocks is near woodland and so I set off, yes Andy stayed in the car!!!!. As I walked through the large wooden gate I spied a house in the woods, briefly glimpsed through a canopy of trees. With rain threatening I decided I would investigate on my return walk.....
Walking towards the Headstocks
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Disused rail line for the pit. Turn left here for the stocks
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On my way I got talking to a lovely elderly couple walking their dog. The gentleman introduced himself as Frederick and told me some interesting facts about the area. He was also a member of the Headstocks Preservation group. The picture you see below was originally a mine shaft and that particular one was use in the film ‘Sons and Lovers’ by DH Lawrence. Interestingly, DH Lawrence’s father worked in this pit. But back to Frederick, he also told me that in one part of the film a group of women are seen running to this mine shaft and among this group was his own mother who had been an extra in the film....
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Covered Mine Shaft
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Rear view of headstocks
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I continued my walk around this interesting place accompanied by Frederick who despite using a walking frame made sure I had a conducted tour, thank you....
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Part of the woodlands at the back of the headstocks
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Rustic bridge over a small stream
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I said my goodbyes to this endearing couple and went to investigate the house in the woods........
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Hidden in the woods
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Getting closer...
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Earlier Frederick had informed me that the house was owned by a local person and had been like this for years. I wanted to explore it further, obviously from the outside. It seemed to speak to me, I was certainly drawn to it, but I was prevented from doing so by a wire fence and barbwire. I can’t say I blame the owners and it would have been remiss of me to go there without their permission....I feel though that the house is not ‘empty’......
Part of the woodlands near the house
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What a great way to spend my last day in Nottinghamshire.... Babbling all this information to poor Andy on my return to the car, we set off for the 330 plus miles back to Cornwall.....But no journey home would be complete without a visit to my mum who lives in Bristol, which is on the way home. Poor mum, she is very poorly at the moment. She cannot use her hands or move her arms and it has now spread to her neck and back. She sees the specialist next week and if it’s what they think it is they may be able to give her treatment for it. Pray to God they can. My mother is a very active and independent woman. She is in so much pain yet you wouldn’t think so in this photo.......
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Mum, me and the 'chins' at her home in Bristol...
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Isn’t she great for 83 and she looks in pain here but we always laugh a lot together. My mother made a great effort for us that day, Love you mum......Mind you looking at my ‘chins’ I hope I didn’t laugh too much. Does anyone know of a good plastic surgeon!!!!...hehe.....
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Well my friends that was a long post but my time in Nottinghamshire is at a close. Thank you for staying with me. I wish that the end of my worries was in site but alas more was to come.....but lets not end on a note of doom and gloom. Have a good weekend and take care. Be back soon with more ramblings from The Hovel...lol...
