D left a message to say that work demands her presence in the fair burgh of Norridge at the weekend. I could have let her go alone, but we didn't see much of each other last w/e and she's away the whole of this week so I'm not keen we be apart for yet another weekend (as has been the case for four out of the past five - which is how I've got so much wallpapering done).
Anyway. This being the case, most of the Sunday she'll be working and I will be cooling my heels in the above-named location.
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Well thanks for the recommendation, Sidney. I'm not sure it's exactly the place a middle-aged-looking man ought really to be visiting by himself.
Thorn: sounds like a great idea, what's your sister's address?
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Will you have a car Ben? Probably the best thing to do of a weekend is to drive out the Broads and marvel at the big East Anglian skies reflected in all that water. Failing that.....
There's the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts out at UEA - only about a mile and a half out of town. Impressive building (Norman Foster) which has some great art exhibitions.
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Doesn't resident TMO baldy Fizzick live in Naaaaarch? And Keef? Or does this have to be a TMO-free visit, so as not to look a weird loser before your spouse.
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I'm afraid I'm carless (I crashed my vehicle in September and have been using the bus and train since). Thanks for the reminder about nanowrimo, tho'. I maybe ought to take a laptop and sit in Costa Coffee in a black polo neck with black oblong specs, being creative.
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I did what pretentious folk call my "first degree" in Norwich, from 88-91, so have a pretty good grasp of its essence, but I understand it may have changed a bit since then.
Norwich's key appeal to pious youngsters is that it has, supposedly at least, a church for every week of the year and a pub for every day. Some of these pubs have, I think, been leeched of their character and become part of a chain -- the Reindeer on Dereham Road used to be a fantastic, dark-wood den with a microbrewery and cycles of specialist beers, and I think it was bought out. However it would be worth a look -- it is at the bottom of the Hill (Grapes Hill I think) and Dereham.
There are, or were, a staggering host of other old pubs in town, notable for their centuries-old architecture and cosy embrace. I think there was a trail of them leading from the Dereham (bottom of Grapes Hill, remember) into the centre... the Mischief, for instance, with its jolly sign showing piggybacking revellers.
There is a covered market at the core of the shopping district, though this mainly sells (sold) joints of meat, chips and old cassettes. The usual run of high street shops, which have probably become even more generic since my stay...and many of the shoppers seem to be slow-plodding pensioners.
As you note, the official sights include cathedral and castle. I think there may be some Blairite fun-heritage castle centre, which doesn't sound too promising; most notable change to Norwich is, I hear, a pleasure complex near the railway station (bowling, multi-screen kino etc) where teens and unambitious twentysomethings hang out. This brings down the city's standards but I suppose it is almost "outside" Norwich and so can draw the common element from the centre down to the bottom of a hill.
Overall though, the city retains some distinct old-skool charm and quaintness. If you like York, I think you would find something to enjoy here just by walking around looking at buildings.
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Hey now, let's set the record straight here. I live in Norwich and have done for longer than I care to, or indeed can remember.
There's loads to do, from the excitement of wandering around a genuinely historic city to the wonderment of being bottled in the face by the lovely gents that frequent our stunning riverside complex. Indeed our very own Prince of Wales Road now holds the much coverted title of 'most violent street in East Anglia'. A lot of competition for that one as you can imagine.
Aside from those delights, heres a little run down of the non-stop exhilaration that is, "Norwich - The city that never wakes"...
>> Hungry? Why not eat at Delia's - if you're lucky you may even meet the queen mother of Norwich herself. Without her, we wouldn't be bottom of the premiership.
>> The Sainsbury centre for visual arts - a big glass building in a field. Might be interesting depending whats on. -> just noticed this is now closed until late 2005! It's like losing an arm.
>> Pull's Ferry - Experience first hand the delights of an old building that boats used to sail under. Set 4 minutes aside for this one.
Of course we do have a (little) bit of culture here, these genuinely might be worth a look... Arts Centre Cinema city UEA LCR
There is riverside (as mentioned by kovacs), not my kind of scene, but I hear the little scamps love it. It does have cinema, bowling 'n stuff.
There are plenty of good pubs here though - my personal recommendation would be the Adam & Eve, not only because I used to work there, but because it is a lovely little place, steeped in history - it was built in 1249 you know (the land-lady particularly enjoys it if upon discovering this fact you remark "Oh, you mean ten to one?").
Adam & Eve website - built by me (the site, not the pub), and yes, it is a bit shit (site again)
Hope thats in some way helpful. It's certainly given me a renewed vigour to leave and go somewhere better.
[ 02.11.2004, 12:53: Message edited by: Bill Oddie ]
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quote:Originally posted by herbs: Doesn't resident TMO baldy Fizzick live in Naaaaarch? And Keef?
Keef does, I moved down to sunny Surrey at the end of last year.
Monsieur Oddie is correct, Norwich does have plenty to see, if you like the historical side of things I'd recommend a walk over to St. Andrew's Hall, where they have regular events ranging from beer festivals to all manner of music concerts, from there head down Elm Hill, one of the oldest and most unspoilt streets in the city, and head to the Cathedral, where you can spend a fair while looking around the cathedral itself and its grounds, which both make pleasant viewing. The Adam & Eve is indeed a fine pub and is conveniently close to the cathedral. The Castle Museum is worth a look, especially if they still do the dungeon tour, ducking stool, scalds bridle and all. The surrounding grounds also make a nice place to have lunch, though it'll probably be a bit chilly for that.
Right over the other side of the city, depending where you stay, I'd recommend the Mad Moose Arms pub, just off Unthank Road (on the way to the Uinversity) , good beer, great food, and a manager by the name of Steve who happens to be a top bloke, my old local in case that wasn't obvious.
If you'd like any specific recommendations for places to eat/drink/stay whatever drop me a mail at physic77 at hotmail and I'll see what I can do.
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Thanks for the tips, everyone - especially Physic, Bloddie and Kovacs. Sounds like I'll have plenty to amuse myself with while D's working (looking after some poxy 2 hour event).
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Ah, Norwich. The heart of turnip country. But it's nice really.
quote:Originally posted by kovacs: Norwich's key appeal to pious youngsters is that it has, supposedly at least, a church for every week of the year and a pub for every day.
Used to be true but unfortunately it's not the case any more. Quite far from it in fact. But Bill and Physic are right, there's lots of good places if you know where to go. Just like any city I guess. Except perhaps Woking.
quote: ..the Reindeer on Dereham Road used to be a fantastic, dark-wood den with a microbrewery and cycles of specialist beers, and I think it was bought out. However it would be worth a look -- it is at the bottom of the Hill (Grapes Hill I think) and Dereham.
Your geographical memory doesn't fail you Ko. The Reindeer did indeed used to be a fantastic place. Then it became a Firkin. But it's returned to being the Reindeer now and is more like it used to be with the real ales and wood. Whether they still run the microbrewery, I don't know.
If you really like the microbrewery idea, there's always the Coach & Horses which happens to be my local and it's close to the train station if you're coming that way.
quote: I think there was a trail of them leading from the Dereham (bottom of Grapes Hill, remember) into the centre... the Mischief, for instance, with its jolly sign showing piggybacking revellers.
Mischief is still there, but on the way there's The Ten Bells (it's got an old phone box in it don't you know). It's on St Benedicts street, along with The Arts Centre as Bill mentioned, The lounge if you fancy some cocktails, St Benedicts Grill & Restaurant which is fab, The Hog in Armour for a glass of ale or two and then on to St Andrew's hall where the Beer Festival is held. But that was last week unfortunately for you. (I had a great time, thanks for asking)
I'd avoid the Riverside area alltogether if you can but if you're arriving by train you're already there. Did you see 'The Real Little Britain' the other week? Remember the yeah-but-no-but-yeah-but.. girl? She announced that Time was the best niteklub in the wurld, like, eva. Well that's there.
Let me know if you want to know anything else or if you fancy meeting for a quick beer, mail keef at talbotk dot com.
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Apologies to everyone who gave advice - I ended up not going. D went by herself and I remained at home, wallpapering. :*(
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