The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

Happy New Year
19:59 Sep 27 2011
Times Read: 727

So tonight we bring in the start of the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah.

Just to wish everyone on VR a great and healthy year ahead.

Love
18:37 Sep 23 2011
Times Read: 740

‘Love’, what a word.

It means different things to different people.

I guess it’s the closest thing we have to magic.

It can hurt and heal.

The poets tell us it has no boundaries and is the strongest of all feelings.

It comes and goes even when we don’t realise it.

Over the years I’ve become a cynic but not in a ‘non-believer sort of way, I’ve simply chosen to sit it out ….. for now!

Right now, this is 'love' for me.

When?
21:50 Sep 20 2011
Times Read: 753

One day she will realise it’s okay to say ‘’sorry I was wrong’’!

What is wrong with the kids of today?

One day ….!

Katia
18:51 Sep 14 2011
Times Read: 768

To think we just got the 'remnants' or tail end of hurrican Katia.

I couldn't believe that not one person was in their car or anyone around was even scratched.

Why oh why?
15:50 Sep 11 2011
Times Read: 782

I just spent an hour preparing and steaming food for lunch. I cut off the fat and did all the usual stuff to keep it lean but for all my good intentions toward healthy eating ... it fails whenever there is chocolate around.

The old days
11:59 Sep 04 2011
Times Read: 795

Sulks just jarred my memory with a simple coven entry about a real fire - oh how I wish, but we now live in a time of The Carbon Reduction Era so we have to be 'careful' ... for our kids they say!! Is all I know is I loved staying over at my nan's home and I would sit cross legged on a well worn rug in front of her (rather large) coal fire. I would watch the flames dance, crack and spit and when no one was watching I would feed it an old bit of paper or melt down the gun of one of my plastic soldiers.

I don't know why life seemed simpler in those days, I guess it was due to the fact that we had no responsibilities other than completing our homework before Monday.

Oh those were the days.

Notts in 5 mins..!
19:53 Sep 02 2011
Times Read: 816

Bank holiday weekend was spent visiting Nottingham in (where else) Nottinghamshire.

I have been through and around this great county many a time but this time I had an excuse to stay a few days, the excuse being a young lady. I never really needed an excuse as the City of Nottingham was always on my agenda for a visit but to have someone show me around that was passionate about their city was perfect.

We started with the famous Nottingham castle, the images of Robin Hood leaping into the moat has always captured my imagination but to actually be there and looking out into (in those days) open fields (now it’s built up city).



…and you know that scene where the drawbridge goes down and stops the Sheriff from following him and the guys on the battlements firing arrows… well I imagined the scene being right here….



To uncover the myth or legend behind Robin Hood was a childhood dream and I got it nailed.

The truth is there is very little evidence especially from that era that Robin and his Merry Men ever existed. But that little voice inside me won’t let that rest.

It was also where the Civil War kicked off from but that’s another story.

The castle itself dates back well before the crusades. In fact it started out as a wooden fort. Over the years it was fortified and built on and into the natural rocks that was to make the castle very formidable.



The gaps in the caves you see are because they have been worn through time as they are made from natural limestone and underground they go deep and far. Under the castle it is littered with many secret passages with many a gruesome story attached.





The inside of the castle didn’t disappoint either.





But this city offered so much more…

With links to Byron and D.H. Lawrence this was to keep a smile on my face throughout the wonderful tours.





I was told that this was the oldest built house in Nottingham …. whatever!



She couldn’t even give me a year. She is certainly going to have an eye opener when she gets to London.



At the foot of the castle stands (a much debated notion) the oldest Inn in England. It is said that the crusaders would stop off here before heading out to the Promised Land.



Again I will add that she is due some home truths when visiting London!



We rambled back up to the statue of Robin Hood, the most pictured statue in the city. I have NO reason why!

Facing the wrong way!!



This looks like I’m crapping!





After a days rest (my legs were like lead) and some personal time we took in Wollaton Hall.

The new Batman film was filmed here so I guess we can also call it Wayne Manor…. Yea right!!!

Elizabethan through and through (1580 and 1588) stands in it’s own grounds (Wollaton Park) and is now home to the wonderful natural history museum with other museums being used from various out-houses. Giant ice-rink in the winter with a summer full of open air concerts.

At first I thought ‘please, not more walking’, but you forget that as you are drawn to the House and surrounding beauty.



Can’t keep me out of a good picture … even if I’m spoiling it!

The top floor was the ballroom but was closed to the public (on a bank holiday – she got an ear bashing about that)!





Inside this home I was stunned to see they had the original murals on the sides of the room and the ceilings.







Every room told a different story and I won’t bore you (if I already have) as there were too many rooms to bring to you here and also about the people that have graced its Halls over the past decades.

The last day was all about relaxing with this very special lady.

Impossible to come to Nottingham and not travel on one of the many canals that lead to any of four main rivers going through and around the city.





…and that special girl. Thank You.