Where are the "Merry Men"?

I went to Sherwood Forest today.  Yes, that's right, the one where the story of Robin Hood and his gang of thieves originated from.  I did not see any men in green tights, nor did I see any merry men.  I went on a bus tour out of Grimsby and despite the fact that I was the only one under 70 years of age, I really enjoyed the opportunity to see something different.  I took Kevin's advice and brought my good camera with a proprietary lens.  It makes you think about the image a bit more than if you have a zoom.  I cheated a bit, I took my point and shoot too for those wide angle shots that the 50mm could not accomodate.
Before heading to Sherwood we went to a place called Hodsock Priory.  There was an event called a "snowdrop festival".  Snowdrops are one of the earliest spring flowers here and they were in splendid form.  Most of the shots below are wild flowers/garden, only a couple are in pots.
I am telling you this is a sign that spring is coming Canada, do not fear.

Jack in the Pulpit

Snow Drops, they are so fragrant.

Why?

Not sure, but I think these are yellow snow drops, someone must have peed on them (Canadian joke). 

Crocus

Clematis

Hydrangea

Sherwood Forest

Fungas

Major Oak, 500 yrs old.

Petrified wood/trunk.

I fell in love with all the tree bark and moss, isn't this one magnificent?  It is at the base of an old tree, no longer living but supporting all this life.

On the Docks

Feeling a bit of cabin-fever and fever-fever.  I've been fighting a cold for the last week but it was such a beautiful day today that I could not stay in.  I took a walk down to the docks in Grimsby.  Once I arrived I felt as though it was a scene from apocalypse.  The Docks are still operational but Mon-Fri,  the area is old and many buildings are abandoned.  I was the only person wandering the area and I felt very unsure of my decision to check this out on my own.  But it was so nice out, a balmy 8-9 degrees, clear skies and a bit of a wind.  Beautiful, in fact I went out for two walks today.  Yes I am rubbing it in to all Canadian friends and family.  Did I mention how nice it was outside today in Grimsby. LOL.

I just love this building, it is the Victoria Flour Mill from the back side.  I want to see the inside some day.  I'm told there are apartments and offices but the roof is falling in on the main structure so I am very curious.

Same building from the front.

Look at that, built in 1906, beautiful.  Notice the clear blue sky reflected in the windows.

On the docks, most of the area looks like this.

The curtains are still in the window even though there is no glass.  They appear to be like the ones my mom had in the 70's with the big lacy holes.

The Grimsby dock tower.

What is it?  Hint, it is in front of the Sea Cadets meeting house.

Yup, a beautiful day.

Delayed

I have not even looked at my blog for almost three weeks.  Sorry for the lapse in photos.  I have been busy at school and saving my pennies to do something during my February and Easter breaks.
I have joined the Cleethorpes camera club and enjoy seeing other photographers works.  When I first went I was regretting my decision to bring my good camera to England and after an evening of looking at competition winners I now want a new HD camera body.  I probably won't be so frivolous but I am at least thankful for now having brought my good camera.  Tonight was the weekly meeting but I stayed home.  I seem to have found my first cold since arriving, which is pretty good if you ask me.  I did not get sick after my flight, or after being exposed to all my roommates colds in October and the many sick children at school could not even bring me down.  But all my co-workers are getting some kind of bug and I did not want to be left out.
We have not had a single snow flake here.  We've had much rain and very cold days but no snow.  I have been following the news from Canada and I am so thankful that I am not experiencing the heavy snowfall and terrible driving conditions.  I bet Leah is wishing I had fixed the snowblower before leaving.

This is a simple picture from a couple sundays ago.  We had a heavy frost, OOOoooo.  I now it does not compare to Ontario right now.

I love this layer of ice, especially when you step on it and it breaks.  Such a feeling of power.

This is the ceiling at Kings cross train station, taken after new years.

R & R

Nothing to show you for today/this week.  I'm sorry, it's a bit of a let down for me too.  I was back at school this week and the first few days back were exhausting.  I love these kids and the saying is true " if you love your job, you will never work a day in your life".  Corny yes, but I really am enjoying all aspects of work and play here in the UK.  Despite the fact that the school felt I would be of assistance in an IT class five periods a week.  I'm just assisting thank goodness.
Today I ordered my groceries online, this was the extent of the excitement for me.  No line ups or screaming kids, and they deliver.  We have a lot to learn from the British.
I will get out again, but this weekend is simply recovering from London and tomorrow I will make my way to church.
I'm trying to think of an adventure (only one week and limited funds) for my February break.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Day 5 in London

I am completely done in.
With map in hand I set out this morning for Camdon Town Market.  I am so thankful I left before the crowds began to form.  This city is crazy busy all day and all night.  While in Camdon I went to the Horse Stables Market.  It was incredible.  there was amazing food and spectacular sights to photographed. I made way up from there to Primrose Hill and saw the city from one of the highest vantage points.  At this point the weather went from mild and sunny to windy and cold, so I headed back to rest and put on a warmer coat.  Thank goodness I did because as soon as I got back there was a thunderstorm.
After some cheesecake (it makes everything better) the weather cleared and I ventured back out.  This time I went up Oxford street (the shopping district) and slalomed through all the people to make my way to Wallace House.  Here there was a small contemporary glass exhibit as well and some beautiful pieces from the Wallace Collection.
I could not stop there though, with the help of a Google maps app on my phone,  I found my way to the London Eye.  It was closed due to the high winds but I would not have gone on it anyway.  I thought about skating again, but the cost was too high, almost ten pounds for less than an hour on a very small rink.
Still I could not go back, I was drawn to Big Ben in the night.

These Bronze statues are everywhere throughout the market.

They really are horse stables converted to these wonderful market stalls.  These are some of the doors of vendors who where not yet open.

A Mosaic statue.

Many thanks to my cousin Brenda (Werth) who put the bug in my ear to visit Camdon.  It is just down the street from where I am staying but I had no idea it would be so fantastic.  And thanks to Emma who encouraged me to go, and even prepared a map with directions.  Despite all your efforts I still managed to get turned around but not as bad as New Years Eve.

At the top of Primrose Hill overlooking the city.  An inscription at the top reads " I have conversed with the spiritual sun, I saw him on Primrose Hill". (William Blake)

A walk on the Towpath along the Thames.

The neatest shoes I have ever seen.

One of the pieces in the glass exhibit.  I thought of Kevin when I saw this, he was working on some high speed photography which captures a drop of water falling onto a thin layer of water and how it bounces upwards after impact. 

A tunnel going towards the Eye.  Street artists seem to have their own panels and are respectful of each others work.  At first I was intimidated and did not want to venture through on my own, but when I realized what it was, I was in awe.

This was a big day.  Tomorrow I may get some sightseeing done, but for the most part I will be travelling back to Grimsby,  I am a bit relieved to just go home and relax (I mean plan lessons for next week).