As many of you know, I have a really good friend called Helen. We have got through good times and bad, drank a lot of cocktails and had some bloody great adventures.

Murder Mystery nights, trips away, theatre visits and more. Usually we find something that sounds interesting, propose it to the other one and 99.9% of the time we end up booking it. Usually the stranger the better.

Me and the Bestie

So a few months ago I spotted and event in Nottingham. Ginny Stillage telling the tales of The Spirits of Gin Lane.

Did someone say Gin?

Well of course I knew H would be up for it once I sent her the link and so I booked us two tickets. Then during discussions about getting there and the semantics of everything, we decided that we probably wouldn’t be able to drive home after taste testing a few gins.

A hotel stay was suggested. Well, go on then, twist my arm (as if it needed twisting)

H said to leave it with her and in a few minutes I had a notification that we had been booked in at the St James Hotel in Nottingham. Now all we needed was our train tickets.

St James Nottingham

Deciding to leave them closer to the date, we settled in for a few weeks to wait for the event.

Well you can imagine our disappointment when with just a week to go, we received notification that due to unforeseen circumstances the event had to be cancelled.

Gutted!

I messaged H and asked what she wanted to do. The hotel was non-refundable so we decided ‘What the Hell’. We would still travel and find things to do.

Sadly as mentioned in previous blogs I had inflicted upon myself quite a nasty knee injury during what is now known as my Gincident.

I was walking with a stick and in considerable pain so we had to be sensible about what we would go an do. Either way we knew it would be a good giggle and a chance to relax and have a proper catch up.

We decided to treat it as a mini-holiday and booked the 0953 train to Nottingham. We arrived early, as is our style and waited for the train. I had packed everything we would need; croissants, chocolatines and two small bottles of fizz each. Oh and a metal straw!

Breakfast of Champs

Sitting on the train I got out the goodies. Well, we were on holiday after all. An hour later and we arrived at our destination.

It must be 6pm somewhere?

Getting off the train was easy. Then we saw the large flight of stairs we needed to get up. Thankfully there was a lift.

The lift was Out of Order.

I was at a loss. I knew I would never make it up all the stairs with my knee. I would either be vomiting or crying half way up. What the heck were we going to do?

H offered to carry my suitcase up but that still didn’t solve the problem. That was when we saw a stairlift coming our way. At the bottom of the steps was a man with a trolley loaded up with products for the shops upstairs. The stairlift was coming down for him.

He told me to use it first as it would take ages to get his heavy load up to the top.

I got onto a metal platform which had a folded seat. Sitting down, two metal arms came down to keep me safe. The station assistant had the controls on a stretchy cable and up we went. Very very slowly.

Of course, H was half way up ready to record my embarrassment. By the time I had got to the top she had already posted it on Facebook!

The Shame

She genuinely thought it was a goods elevator and laughed her socks off. I was glad that I could set her straight. But I still looked like a prize idiot.

Eventually getting to the station concourse, we looked at getting a taxi to the City centre. I called the hotel to see if we could leave our cases somewhere as I couldn’t really lug mine around town.

Such a warm welcome

The receptionist was lovely and was able to advise us that the room was actually ready and we could check in. As it was only 11am we hopped in a cab and went straight there.

Pulling up at the hotel five minutes later, we were amazed at the luxurious exterior.

Walking into reception we were really impressed. The foyer was beautiful; huge metal light shades, a massive vase of fresh flowers and a really inviting feeling.

Just stunning!

We were checked in really quickly and went up to the 3rd floor where our room was. Opening the door we were extremely impressed by the facilities. Great bathroom, lovely decor, comfortable beds and The White Company complimentary toiletries.

Just gorgeous

We decided to unpack and have a cup of tea before planning on what we wanted to do.

Very posh!

The fun and games started almost immediately. Being two ladies of a certain age, the room was very hot. There were two large windows, set quite high up.

H got on the bed to try and open one. It opened up quite wide; so wide that we were a little worried about. But then we had a eureka moment.

The walking stick!

That would do it. Using the handle part of the stick, she could pull on the window handle and close it a little.

What could possibly go wrong?

Something clearly had when Helen went ‘ooops’. Pulling the stick back she revealed that it no longer had a handle!

The next thing I knew she was flying out the door and legging it down the corridor!

Well, all I could do was laugh.

About ten minutes later she appears again, brandishing the missing walking stick handle. I was still laughing my head off and we decided to leave the window open and not try again.

During our cuppa we made a few decisions on what we would do. Given that my leg was a bit duff, we didn’t want to overwork it by walking miles.

First though, we needed sustenance in order to have a night of drinking. There was a Wetherspoons pub about a ten minute walk so off we set.

Bring on the Gin

The Joseph Else was situated smack in the middle of town. I have to admit it was a lovely pub, but absolutely packed, as most Wetherspoons are. We perused the menu and decided to go with paninis. I also wanted some halloumi fries and H suggested some nachos too.

We went with the meal deal with included an alcoholic drink for around £6. Bargain.

Lunch

Helen came back with a glass of white wine, a pink gin and ginger and had ordered 2 paninis, and the extra sides.

It didn’t take too long for the food to be delivered. And we really should have read the menu correctly. The paninis actually arrived with a huge portion of chips too. Oh well.

Alcohol Selfie

The food was amazing, fresh and very tasty. We must have sat there for a couple of hours catching up and having a laugh. We tried a couple of other gins; Gin ting with lemonade and Didsbury Gin and ginger. Both were very fruity and utterly delicious.

Pub Selfie

After a couple of hours we decided to make a move and try and find Another?  which is a self service wine bar. It seemed like such a novel idea that we needed to at least go and have one glass there.

I have to admit we had a right old time finding it. Google maps told us where to go, but I put the phone back in my bag. It was only after walking around for 10 minutes that we realised that we had gone in totally the wrong direction.

The Pit and Pendulum – Need to organise a visit here as it wasn’t open yet.

Thankfully we were only five minutes away and headed in the right direction, and literally walking past the wine bar (including the A frame advertising it).

This is me – Sweet and Innocent

Realising we had gone past it, we retraced our steps and I managed to spot it. It is a very small building and easily missed. It would have been such a shame if we hadn’t found it, as it was fantastic inside.

Unfortunately it was up some quite steep steps, but I managed to get myself up them slowly and it really was worth it.

Another?

The wine bar had a very old feel to it. Wooden beams, exposed brickwork and old tiles, it really was welcoming. Add to that the shiny metal drinks dispensers, it had a great feel.

The room was quite small but there is also a roof terrace that you can go and sit on. I didn’t attempt getting up there, so found a table in the corner which was very comfy.

Decisions, Decisions

Basically the idea is that upon arrival you are given an activated chip card which you insert into a slot on each fridge. The bottles are all on view and you have the option of a 25ml sample, 125ml glass or 175ml glass.

Self Service Wine

Each digital display tells you the cost of each option and when you are happy you take a glass and put it under the spout. Pressing the option of your choice, it dispenses the wine!

Something for everyone

It was very novel and also the wine was fantastic. There was something for every budget with a glasses ranging from £3.50 a glass to £20 a glass for the really high value wines.

I went with a rose called The Bulletin and H had a Sauvignon Blanc

The Bulletin

Of course we had more than one.

For my third glass I chose a beautiful white port. It was so smooth and I could have had a whole bottle. It really was that good.

Eventually we left the wine bar. There was a cocktail place that H had been told about that we absolutely had to visit; 400 rabbits.

400 Rabbits

Thankfully it was around five minutes walk from Another? and we headed off around 530pm.

Finding Hurts Yard, we waked down the narrow slope to spot 400 rabbits on the left hand side.

Hurts Yard

Walking in it was easy to feel in the mood as the music, decor and amazing alcohol bottles really set it up as a great spot to drink in.

I wanted all the pretty bottles

Happy hour runs from 5pm until 8pm where cocktails are only £5.00 each. Well what an absolute bargain.

Starting off, H went for a Bunny Boiler; a mix of Appletons, Kraken, Wray & Nephew, Chairman’s Spiced and Skipper Rums blended together and aged in a white oak barrel together with Velvet Falermum. Shaken with Agave and lime juice.

Our lovely Bartender

I wanted something similar but not too sharp and acidic so the lovely bartender suggested a Zombie, which used the same rums but with fruit juices. Perfect.

Oh and then she set my cocktail on fire.

Flamin’ Fabulous

We sat chilling on the sofa enjoying the music and having a natter. Sat opposite were three young people all enjoying themselves.

Bunny Boiler. The cocktail NOT Helen!!!

They popped through a doorway which led to the toilets, an exit and a cupboard apparently full of games.

Zombie

They came out with Pop-Up Pirates; I simply couldn’t imagine anything better. Games from our childhood whilst drinking cocktails.

Loving Life!

We went for a Smashing Pumpkin Pie cocktail for our second one; Agua Riva Tequila, La Mediba Espadin Mezcal, Pedro Ximenez and pumpkin puree, cinnamon and lemon. Topped with a toasted marshmallow foam.

Smashing Pumpkin Pie

This was just heaven in a glass. The foam topping was creamy and sweet and the alcohol tasted like a dessert.

One of each, please

It was now around 7pm and we had been hard at it since 9am. Lunch was a long time in the past and it was about time to get some more food.

Classy lady

Earlier in the day H had decided she wanted to give Five Guys a go as she had never tried one before. As I love their food, I was more than happy to induct her.

We ordered cheeseburgers, fries and a bottle of bud each. Let me tell you, those burgers went down so good!

H was a total convert and whilst eating we decided what we were going to do. By now it was around 8pm and we really were flagging.

Leaving Five Guys we started walking back. All of a sudden H took off at a sprint, shouting ‘Excuse me, Excuse me!!!’

She had spotted what looked like a PCSO, except he had ‘Community Protection’ written across his hi-vis jacket.

He told Helen to stop and wait one minute as he needed to deal with something. She wasn’t talking any notice and kept calling to him. Eventually he came over to talk to her.

By this time I had caught up with them and apologised, stating I was her carer!

Anyway, he was a very lovely man who answered all of our questions as to what a Community Protector was and even wished us a great night in his City.

As much as we wanted to make a huge night of it, age and time was a bit against us.

We ended up getting straight into our Jammies, putting the TV and opening a bottle of Prosecco. H sensibly declined the wine; I wasn’t so clever.

One documentary on BBC4 about Leonardo Da Vinci later and Helen was fast asleep. I finished the bottle of wine and read a few pages of my book.

It was all too much

I eventually turned the light off at 10pm.

What a rock n roll life we lead!

To be honest though, we were absolutely shattered and really needed a good night sleep.

Waking up the next morning, we both felt like new women.

Yes, I am under there somewhere

Rested, relaxed and with no hangover, we got ready and headed downstairs to get a full English breakfast.

Curl Explosion

I have to say it was absolutely scrumptious and really hit the spot.

Dining Area

Now was the tricky part. Do we wander around Nottingham, given that the leg was a bit duff? We sat down to take stock of our options and then noticed that it was absolutely tipping it down.

Great Styling

Decisions made, we headed for the train station to get the earliest train home. I was due to work the next day and needed to do some chores as did Helen.

The Foyer

We had a good giggle on the train home, uploading photos to social media and talking about the trip.

The Best time ever!

It really was just what the doctor ordered and I know I certainly needed it.

Train Selfie

The other good thing? Me, hubby and two friends Andy and Annette are off to Nottingham to see Jools Holland in concert.

Another?

I now know of an amazing hotel, wine bar and cocktail place that would be right up our alley!

Till next time,

SPSG xxx