I ended up in Beeston this morning after I took the wrong road (the Nottingham one, not the Cheshire one – once I see Beeston castle I really have gone wrong!). As a result I was able to eat breakfast (see Pies and Prejudice for more details), drive past a former silk mill (burnt down in the riots of 1831) and have a look at the new tram system.
We were actually on our way to Chilwell (a name you may recognise if you are into the history of shell-filling factories in the Great War) to do some shoe shopping. I need big shoes, have no sense of style and dislike spending money, so it’s off to Sports Direct for a selection of their discounted size 12 Karrimoor shoes.
Having secured my shoes I was then struck by an idea.
It wasn’t the best of ideas, but a while later we found ourselves in the car park at Denby Pottery. It was a visit of mixed fortunes.
They are changing things round so we weren’t able to look round the museum, which is being relocated, and they didn’t seem to have a very good selection of animal models. This was a shame as I like to look round the museum and I was hoping Julia might express a liking for one of the animals as I’m desperately looking for presents for our wedding anniversary and her birthday. Check the 1930s section of this page to see what I mean.
On the other hand they do have a new farm shop run by prize-winning pie makers Walter Smith. They also have meat, black pudding and a fine selection of oils and stuff.
As a result I now have a pie to test and a bottle of Cranberry Balsamic vinegar that is so good I’d be happy to drink it neat.
No pictures today – I originally set off to buy shoes, not photograph them. I really must remember in future.
My husband has happy memories of the Cheshire Beeston Castle. He and his brother were often taken there when they were boys. You had a good day by the sound of it. I am tempted to get a bottle of cranberry balsamic vinegar.
It’s is wonderful stuff. 😉 We used to stop at Beeston castle sometimes on our way to Llandudno.
There’s another Beeston (Regis) near Sheringham on the north Norfolk coast
It’s amazing what we have scattered around the countryside.
Are there really wrong turns–or serendipitous opportunities?
I have to call it a wrong turn so people don’t get jealous about my large number of serendipitous opportunities. 🙂
Jealous no matter what.
🙂
Oh, nothing like pie. I love eating them, and I also like making them. In Maine, it’s apple pie time. Maybe I’ll make one this weekend.
Sounds like a good plan! 🙂
I never say I took a wrong turn – I just took the scenic route, haha. Sounds like a productive day – shoes, pie, vinegar and all!
Yes, it was a good day, and all the better for being unexpected. 🙂
I look forward to the pie review
I will do my best to do it justice – it looks good and smells good, so I have high hopes.;-)