I spent New Year’s Eve at the Travel Lodge near to Mansfield watching fireworks from my window in the village of Sutton in Ashfield, and from London on the TV, then watching the greater part of London’s New Year’s day parade on the Public Broadcasting channel which is repeated this evening when I plan to watch the opening section when I missed. The event was one of the highlights of the extraordinary visits made this year to Shoreham and Farnsfield to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.
For once I delayed preparations to a few days before and then had a panic about the amount of space that would be available and had a trial placement of everything in the car the day before departure. It would be OK and because of the number of meals eaten out or provided I brought back the emergency rations of tins of rice and backed beans, although several packets of the instant soup were consumed.
On previous visits I set off early to arrive for lunch but in this instance I was having an evening meal at the Marston Inn at the junction with the road to Mansfield along the road between the A1 and Nottingham/Leicester which passes by Clumber Park(National Trust). And Rufford Abbey (English Heritage) both of which I have written about following previous visits to Robin Hood Country.
The White Hart once independent is now a Marston Inn which offers 2.1 main course meals from an extensive menu and Specials board and which until recently also provided a two course special for two people for a total of £9 and previously for several years for £8 from midday until 6pm. The combined portions of the two courses provided a more substantial meal that the single main course. The Inn also offers a glass of iced tap water for free or a jug for the larger gatherings and the coffees are excellent accompanied by an after meal mint and over Christmas a chocolate.
Because of the evening meal I packed some lunch but forgot the coffee I stopped at Wetherby services and was shocked to find the £3 cup of coffee has arrived, the price of a whole packet from a supermarket. I settled for a small cup at £2.89 but the medium and large are now over £3 and I envisage the £5 cuppa before I depart consciousness. Who remembers the two and half pence cup of tea at Joe Lyons Corner houses in 1950‘s? I earned £5 a week in 1956 and after two University Diplomas from Oxford and Birmingham in 1963 my pay went up to £20. In 1956 the money paid for keep, clothes, travel season ticket, visits to jazz clubs, pubs, football and occasional gramophone long play records.
I made three visits to the White Hart enjoying two chicken breasts in barbecue sauce twice (Sticky Barbecue Chicken £10.50) and a small rack of pork ribs and a single chicken breast also with lashings of barbecue sauce on the third (£11.55) There is also Deep South Barbecue Beer Chicken for £10.50 and from the Mighty Meals Menu Barbecue Chicken Melt £11.75. It is forty minutes to midday all this reference to food is making me hungry and I will break off to place the steak in the oven to be accompanied by a special brew steak together with a special relish and mustard one of many apposite Xmas gifts. I have prepared the fresh veg which at £1 for a large parsnip, a medium Swede, two medium onions and eight medium size carrots for £1 sufficient for three to four helpings.
The thought of all the good food also wipes away the memory of two horrendous back to back journeys in pouring rain, cold wind and sometimes fog from home to the Midlands and then to Shoreham, On the second day knowing that there would be an evening meal waiting I decided on a good breakfast visiting the Subway adjacent to the Travel Lodge opened in competition to a sandwich and roll selling bakery in what was previously a large bookmakers. I am not a fan of Sub which I think is poor value despite the including of various toppings and sauces although with a drink at £3 becomes competitive with the Boots and some supermarket meal deals. However the breakfast sub of bacon or sausage at 99 pence or both in one for £1.50 is good value and now better than the offer from the bakery, especially if you say no to the coffee using the facilities at the Travel Lodge.
The fireworks on New Year’s from the banks of Thames had a red white and blue aspect with strong echoes of the Olympic games triumph without inappropriate excess.
Last year the two mile New Year’s parade from Green Park to Parliament Square was badly affected by the weather which limited the performance at the roadway arena before the various Mayors of London and invited guests who this year includes the Ambassadors from China, Brazil, Italy and Indonesia and who acted as he judges of the competition between the London Boroughs
The route of the parade was changed in 2010 in order to ensure that USA watchers and those from other countries were able to see the great sights of the capital to include the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Trafalgar Square, and Piccadilly Circus and the three hour plus event is increasingly geared up top the USA and overseas audience with descriptions of Hotels and invites from the casts of a number of West End Shows. The commentary is also geared for the overseas audience
It is estimated that half a million people stand along route or to gain a place in the covered stands, particularly those at the roadway arena at the end of the March where bands perform a routine. I need to check if it is all ticket or just the stands with the objective of raising money for charity as well as awareness of London as a Tourist destination.
A feature of recent years has been the appearance of High School and University marching bands from the USA including the Valley Forge Military Academy and College, the Stephen F Austin State University Lumberjack Marching Band, the German Town High School Warhawk Marching Band, Garringut High School Marching Admirals, Walker Valley High School Mustang Marching Band, Gadsten School District Marching Band, Stone Bridge High school Marching Bulldogs, Adrian College Marching Bulldogs, Beverely Hills High School Marching band, The Spirit of Great Oak and Guard. Band, the Schurr High School Spartan legion, University of South Florida Herd of Thunder Marching Band, The South Downy High School band from Knox County, plus the Spirit of America Dancers, the Universal Cheer Leaders association, The American Chinese Art Society traditional Dance Troupe and the predominantly USA based ladies of the Red Hat Society with members in Australia and South Africa.
From the UK a Scot band from Leicestershire(Ibstock) and The National Mass Bugle Band, made up from a range of local bands attempted to show that the UK was attempting to get in step with their USA cousins and failing, However there was a competitive marching band comprised of London based Nigerians and two displaces from London based Bolivians with costumes brought over from the Home Country. The cosmopolitan aspects was generated more from the various floats and displays from the London Boroughs but this aspects needs to be widened if the International appeal is to be developed. It is regarded as one of the great city parades in the World..
Over half the London Boroughs provided floats or displays which usually feature personalities from their areas as well as designed to attract the attention of the judges who award cash donations to favoured charities. This years participating was Barking and Dagenham, Brent Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Haringey, Havering, Hounslow, Lambeth, Merton Redbridge, Southwick, Waltham Forest and Westminster,
There are also display groups which have featured on a regular basis as well as those appearing for the first time, including a parade of Police Cars through the ages, Heroes for Charity, UK Carnivals, the Donkey Breed Society, Merrydown Morris, the Goldwing Owners Club GB, South Connections (Lambeth Carnival band), The Pearly Kings and Queens Association, the Veteran Cycle club. The Latin American Heritage plus the Kites of Nassar Volent (France), the Warlingham and District Mock Hunters, the Protogem Dance Company, and with creating great interest 250 London Olympic Gamesmakers and about 60 members of the Pandemonium Band of drummers who performed at the Opening Ceremony.
I watched less TV than usual ranging from Ceebies programmes to Dr Who and the final two episodes of Young Merlin with the death of King Arthur and the coming to power of Queen Guinevere and the destruction of the enemies. There was the suggestion of Merlin surviving to the present day and the promise that Arthur would return when the time was right. There was also the three parts of Lord of the Rings although I did not see from beginning to end.
There less said about the Football the better with humiliating defeats for Newcastle who now face a relegation avoidance battle after putting up a dismal performance against Brighton in the FA Cup third round although Sunderland who have managed a few wins also managed a draw at Bolton 2.2 coming from behind with the prospect of a home draw if they succeed in the replay. The sporting highlight was in fact a re showing of the Ryder Cup win at Medinah which I saw again yesterday and which I regard as the greatest Sporting event of the past year, over the Tour De France and individual achievements at the Olympic Games.
Excluding expenditure which I would usually make at this time of the year I estimate that the fortnight only cost under £700 with Meals £300 (including £ 78, £78 £45 £43 £20 £20 rounded up with gratuities) accommodation £200 and Petrol and Car parking £ 135 with other extras £50. I used Credit Card supplied vouchers for the cinema visit and worth several fold more in terms of priceless experience and memories.
For once I delayed preparations to a few days before and then had a panic about the amount of space that would be available and had a trial placement of everything in the car the day before departure. It would be OK and because of the number of meals eaten out or provided I brought back the emergency rations of tins of rice and backed beans, although several packets of the instant soup were consumed.
On previous visits I set off early to arrive for lunch but in this instance I was having an evening meal at the Marston Inn at the junction with the road to Mansfield along the road between the A1 and Nottingham/Leicester which passes by Clumber Park(National Trust). And Rufford Abbey (English Heritage) both of which I have written about following previous visits to Robin Hood Country.
The White Hart once independent is now a Marston Inn which offers 2.1 main course meals from an extensive menu and Specials board and which until recently also provided a two course special for two people for a total of £9 and previously for several years for £8 from midday until 6pm. The combined portions of the two courses provided a more substantial meal that the single main course. The Inn also offers a glass of iced tap water for free or a jug for the larger gatherings and the coffees are excellent accompanied by an after meal mint and over Christmas a chocolate.
Because of the evening meal I packed some lunch but forgot the coffee I stopped at Wetherby services and was shocked to find the £3 cup of coffee has arrived, the price of a whole packet from a supermarket. I settled for a small cup at £2.89 but the medium and large are now over £3 and I envisage the £5 cuppa before I depart consciousness. Who remembers the two and half pence cup of tea at Joe Lyons Corner houses in 1950‘s? I earned £5 a week in 1956 and after two University Diplomas from Oxford and Birmingham in 1963 my pay went up to £20. In 1956 the money paid for keep, clothes, travel season ticket, visits to jazz clubs, pubs, football and occasional gramophone long play records.
I made three visits to the White Hart enjoying two chicken breasts in barbecue sauce twice (Sticky Barbecue Chicken £10.50) and a small rack of pork ribs and a single chicken breast also with lashings of barbecue sauce on the third (£11.55) There is also Deep South Barbecue Beer Chicken for £10.50 and from the Mighty Meals Menu Barbecue Chicken Melt £11.75. It is forty minutes to midday all this reference to food is making me hungry and I will break off to place the steak in the oven to be accompanied by a special brew steak together with a special relish and mustard one of many apposite Xmas gifts. I have prepared the fresh veg which at £1 for a large parsnip, a medium Swede, two medium onions and eight medium size carrots for £1 sufficient for three to four helpings.
The thought of all the good food also wipes away the memory of two horrendous back to back journeys in pouring rain, cold wind and sometimes fog from home to the Midlands and then to Shoreham, On the second day knowing that there would be an evening meal waiting I decided on a good breakfast visiting the Subway adjacent to the Travel Lodge opened in competition to a sandwich and roll selling bakery in what was previously a large bookmakers. I am not a fan of Sub which I think is poor value despite the including of various toppings and sauces although with a drink at £3 becomes competitive with the Boots and some supermarket meal deals. However the breakfast sub of bacon or sausage at 99 pence or both in one for £1.50 is good value and now better than the offer from the bakery, especially if you say no to the coffee using the facilities at the Travel Lodge.
The fireworks on New Year’s from the banks of Thames had a red white and blue aspect with strong echoes of the Olympic games triumph without inappropriate excess.
Last year the two mile New Year’s parade from Green Park to Parliament Square was badly affected by the weather which limited the performance at the roadway arena before the various Mayors of London and invited guests who this year includes the Ambassadors from China, Brazil, Italy and Indonesia and who acted as he judges of the competition between the London Boroughs
The route of the parade was changed in 2010 in order to ensure that USA watchers and those from other countries were able to see the great sights of the capital to include the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Trafalgar Square, and Piccadilly Circus and the three hour plus event is increasingly geared up top the USA and overseas audience with descriptions of Hotels and invites from the casts of a number of West End Shows. The commentary is also geared for the overseas audience
It is estimated that half a million people stand along route or to gain a place in the covered stands, particularly those at the roadway arena at the end of the March where bands perform a routine. I need to check if it is all ticket or just the stands with the objective of raising money for charity as well as awareness of London as a Tourist destination.
A feature of recent years has been the appearance of High School and University marching bands from the USA including the Valley Forge Military Academy and College, the Stephen F Austin State University Lumberjack Marching Band, the German Town High School Warhawk Marching Band, Garringut High School Marching Admirals, Walker Valley High School Mustang Marching Band, Gadsten School District Marching Band, Stone Bridge High school Marching Bulldogs, Adrian College Marching Bulldogs, Beverely Hills High School Marching band, The Spirit of Great Oak and Guard. Band, the Schurr High School Spartan legion, University of South Florida Herd of Thunder Marching Band, The South Downy High School band from Knox County, plus the Spirit of America Dancers, the Universal Cheer Leaders association, The American Chinese Art Society traditional Dance Troupe and the predominantly USA based ladies of the Red Hat Society with members in Australia and South Africa.
From the UK a Scot band from Leicestershire(Ibstock) and The National Mass Bugle Band, made up from a range of local bands attempted to show that the UK was attempting to get in step with their USA cousins and failing, However there was a competitive marching band comprised of London based Nigerians and two displaces from London based Bolivians with costumes brought over from the Home Country. The cosmopolitan aspects was generated more from the various floats and displays from the London Boroughs but this aspects needs to be widened if the International appeal is to be developed. It is regarded as one of the great city parades in the World..
Over half the London Boroughs provided floats or displays which usually feature personalities from their areas as well as designed to attract the attention of the judges who award cash donations to favoured charities. This years participating was Barking and Dagenham, Brent Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Haringey, Havering, Hounslow, Lambeth, Merton Redbridge, Southwick, Waltham Forest and Westminster,
There are also display groups which have featured on a regular basis as well as those appearing for the first time, including a parade of Police Cars through the ages, Heroes for Charity, UK Carnivals, the Donkey Breed Society, Merrydown Morris, the Goldwing Owners Club GB, South Connections (Lambeth Carnival band), The Pearly Kings and Queens Association, the Veteran Cycle club. The Latin American Heritage plus the Kites of Nassar Volent (France), the Warlingham and District Mock Hunters, the Protogem Dance Company, and with creating great interest 250 London Olympic Gamesmakers and about 60 members of the Pandemonium Band of drummers who performed at the Opening Ceremony.
I watched less TV than usual ranging from Ceebies programmes to Dr Who and the final two episodes of Young Merlin with the death of King Arthur and the coming to power of Queen Guinevere and the destruction of the enemies. There was the suggestion of Merlin surviving to the present day and the promise that Arthur would return when the time was right. There was also the three parts of Lord of the Rings although I did not see from beginning to end.
There less said about the Football the better with humiliating defeats for Newcastle who now face a relegation avoidance battle after putting up a dismal performance against Brighton in the FA Cup third round although Sunderland who have managed a few wins also managed a draw at Bolton 2.2 coming from behind with the prospect of a home draw if they succeed in the replay. The sporting highlight was in fact a re showing of the Ryder Cup win at Medinah which I saw again yesterday and which I regard as the greatest Sporting event of the past year, over the Tour De France and individual achievements at the Olympic Games.
Excluding expenditure which I would usually make at this time of the year I estimate that the fortnight only cost under £700 with Meals £300 (including £ 78, £78 £45 £43 £20 £20 rounded up with gratuities) accommodation £200 and Petrol and Car parking £ 135 with other extras £50. I used Credit Card supplied vouchers for the cinema visit and worth several fold more in terms of priceless experience and memories.
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