adventures and visitors

Again almost 25 days have passed since my last post and of course many things have happened! It is always the same sort of story in these posts only my adventures and visitors and things change slightly.

I'll have another go at going through it all chronologically: On the 6th March Aurelia came up from London for a day to visit so we had a great day of shopping, some sightseeing, pub lunch (Lasagna, yummmyy) and ale in Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem. 7th March - day trip to Manchester. I rather liked Manchester - more than I thought I would - with its slightly eclectic mixture of massive old buildings and modern glass constructions. I saw some great exhibitions (especially one about the Black Panthers and civil rights in the US) and did some shopping (new trainers and a jumper I am very much in love with) although I could have stayed there for a day or two in order to also visit the huge science museum and maybe have a look at Old Trafford but it is not that far away so might go back again one day. Then on the 10th March it was time for the next formal dinner - this time James Bond style! After travelling for ages by bus we had a delicious dinner, some rather strong Dry Martinis (out of a jug - not shaken or stirred), watched some fireworks and danceddanceddanced. After just a few hours of sleep I had to get up for my second group meeting with my supervisor about my research project and then in the afternoon went on to Sneinton Library to do some more reading with the kids but we couldn't compete with the arts and crafts afternoon on at the same time!

Just over a week later it was already time for Steffi's visit and before then I had plenty to do for uni (coursework, coursework and more coursework) as well as supper in town, more telephone meetings about my research project, and the odd lecture. On the 21st Steffi arrived from Geneva and we spent the afternoon looking around town and deciding which shops to go into when we came back and there were less people, Sunday was a beautiful day so we went to Wollaton Park and walked around the lake there then on to main campus and over to Beeston to go to Sainsbo's. In the evening we went out for a few drinks at the local pub which lead to a lie-in on Monday and then an afternoon shopping, pub supper, and cinema in the evening. We watched the Young Victoria and both madly fell in love with Prince Albert and thought it was a fantastic film with the actress playing Victoria capturing her very well and have I mention Prince Albert was adorable? Tuesday we went to Birmingham for the day. An interesting city although not one of my favourite from the many I have visited recently. It seems to be fixated on shopping, shopping arcades, shopping malls, markets, etc and less focused on its history, and other attractions. We were quite amused when it took us about 20 minutes to find a canal after reading in the Lonely Planet that there were more canals than in Venice!! We then went to the Millenium Point, which sounded interesting but turned out to be a building slightly in the middle of nowhere full of art/fashion/dance/theatre-faculties of the various universities and colleges and also a rather overpriced science museum and IMAX cinema...

Theeeeeeen Wednesday - Wednesday was my birthday! I woke up very early without realising how early it was (about 6.20) and opened my birthday cards and my package from James (the book Tom's Magic Garden - a fantastic read, which I have now read once and plan to read again especially chapter 5, which is my favourite (don't think I have ever had a favourite chapter before so this book must be speical)) and was very excited. Then went back to sleep for a few more hours, got up checked my emails, had breakfast, and then baked about a million cupcakes. Yes, I baked my own birthday cakes, and no, I didn't mind at all as they were very good and I rather enjoy baking. In the afternoon we went for a walk onto campus - the sun was shining and the campus is looking beautiful with trees flowering, and daffodils, and everything generally looking green - and on to Beeston (again) to get some drinks and snacks for the evening. For my birthday supper we had Chinese takeaway - my first time ever! It was a good choice especially as I didn't have to cook for another two days or so afterwards thanks to all the leftovers! After that my flatmates surprised me with a wonderful little collection of gifts: four different varieties of tea, biscuits to go with the tea, and a magic mug that is black when it is cold and when you poor hot water in it goes white and a picture of our whole flat appears!! Oh yes, and a scrubby fish, and four real zebra fish called Henry, George, Fred, and Gertrud who are currently living on our kitchen window sill but will have to go because our hall management does not approve. Very sad... After a few drinks and some excellent magic tricks from Graham we went on into town to the Bodega Social Club and Electric Banana where we danced the night away until 2am!! Altogether a fantastic birthday so thankyouthankyouthankyou to everyone who particpated and helped make it such a wonderful day!

On Thursday it was sadly already time for Steffi to leave for Switzerland again but she left me with a webcam so I can see here whenever I like (well technically whenever we are both online on skype) and I am very pleased with it so if anyone else has a webcam please let me know and I will give you a little wave and make sure not to pick my nose while you are looking! Thursday afternoon I met up with Damon from the local branch of the Red Cross who I will be doing some Volunteer Coordinator work for and after that decided to myself take part in one of their Challenge Events and instead of going for hiking, swimming, or golfing I decided to go for skydiving! Yes, I have registered to do a tandem skydive for charity out of an airplane from 10'000 feet!! I am very excited already but have to raise a minimum of £325 so please do sponsor me with a few pounds if you can afford to: www.justgiving.com/eleanor-skydive

Yesterday I did some more sightseeing/being a tourist and went on a trip to Stonehenge and Salisbury! Rather a long trip from Nottingham but definitely worth it as Stonehenge is impressive especially thinking about the effort of building something like it without modern tools like cranes and tractors and the precision with which they managed to build it by hand! Salisbury has a beautiful cathedral with the highest spire in Great Britain (123m) and which houses one of the four remaining original Magna Carta! Other than that I have spent lots of time printing off a rainforest worth of articles to read on my journey. I am off to Liverpool tomorrow to see Dan, Andrea and Flora, on to Bexhill on Thursday, then to London to stay with Vicky and Johanna on Monday in a week and then to Waldringfield on the Friday of the Easter weekend where Mum and Mark will join me in staying with Granny and Grandpa for a few days.

Phew. As always life has been quite busy and is going to carry on being busy but I do rather like it that way.

So, please sponsor me - any size donation helps - and do keep in touch!

xxx