Chesterfield

I found this in my draft folder ... I meant to post it a long time ago.

Yesterday (Valentines Day) I had to get out of the room and do something.  We had all been talking about doing something but nothing actually got of the ground.  I called the girls who I affectionatly call "The French."  They had heard about a church in Chesterfield (about an hours bus trip) that had a crazy spire on top.  

A few people had been planning to go to Nottingham for the day but their plans had fallen through so I invited them to come with us.  By the time we left we were about ten people deep.

We met at the Tourist Information Center in the town square.  A carnival had been set up overnight ... I debated riding the rides but would have missed the bus if I had.  "The French" were running a bit late (As "The French" are apt to do) and we nearly missed the bus.  There were just enough seats for all of us on the bus and we had to be spread all over.

When we got to Chesterfield we could immediatly see the Twisted Spire of the church.  We started walking towards it and passed some hilarious signs.  One said "Humped Puffin Crossing" and another was a pub called "The Spread Eagle" (we ended up grabbing a pint there as we waited for the bus home)

From Chesterfield - Feb 14

There are two "theories" as to how the spire got twisted:

1) A virgin got married in the church and the spire was so suprised to hear it that it twisted around to get a look.

2) The devil came to town to get new shoes (like horse shoes) made and the blacksmith hammered through his hoof.  The devil jumped up on the church and twisted the spire with his tail as he writhed in pain.

I think it is more likely, though I do like those two stories, that the church was built during the Black Plague (it was) and all the skilled labourrors wer killed off leaving only people who didnt know how to properly build a spire ... or to not use green wood.

Deep Freeze

So, apparently the snow I mentioned in my previous post continued.  The 'Deep Freeze' that followed is being called the worst snow storm in something like 70 years.  I did a quick google search to see how much snow had actually fallen and got a respectable ~8 inches.  Not bad, I can understand the absolute terror when a city as big as London only has about 3 snow plows.  Then I looked outside.  What was the accumulation?  About 2 inches, just enough to cover the grass and not enough to cause slush on the roads.

I did find an interesting blog post by a Tube drive for the London Underground:

http://severe-delays.livejournal.com/67893.html

Even more fun?  Watch this little bit of Top Gear (a british TV) where they are making fun of the state people were in yesterday.

http://www.topgear.com/uk/videos/x-type-in-snow

Jeremy Clarkson: "The way they were carrying on you would think it was time to build an ark!"

NERD MOMENT: I really like their choice of music when they talk about the snow

Cheers

Around Derby

I was supposed to go up to Buxton today to do some exploring but I had a bit of a migraine.  I just woke up at 5pm, haha

I am going to spend a bit of time now showing a few of the cool places around Derby:

1) Wokamania -  This sounds like the comedy club Fozzie bear starts with his severance package from the Muppet show.  In fact it is a Chinese restaurant.  BUT WAIT!!! Its more than just a restaurant! Its a church!!!  This Chinese buffet is located inside a 140 year old cathedral.

 

  

               

The special that they are displaying in these posters is actually the normal price of a buffet meal ... I don't trust it!

2) Kedelston Road Campus -  I guess that I am here for school, so here is the campus.  The University of Derby is a pretty small school.  There is only one main building with 3 towers branching off of it (the art and music classes are held in a building about a mile away on Markeaton Street).  I live about a mile or so from this campus.

There is a bank, a bookstore, 3 restaurants, a flea market, a library, a bar, a convenience store, oh and classrooms.

NOTE:  None of my classes require me to buy a textbook AND if I were to buy the recommended textbooks they would only cost me about £20 max!!!  We are getting screwed in the US.

     The outside of the campus.        

    The main reception area.

3) The City Centre - Yes, 'Centre.'  That is their spelling not mine.  This is where all of the shops are and it closes down at about 4pm everyday, so get your shopping in early.  The only store that is open late is ... McDonald's.  I have done my best to avoid it, but sometimes it just the only place that is open!

There is also the 'Westfield Shopping Centre' (again with the spelling!!!).  It is a mall that has 5 floors about 3 of every store.  There is also a flea market attached.  One of the stalls in the flea market actually sells science equipment (I had to buy a lab coat for one of my classes).  Note the Derby Ram statue, apparently it is a big deal or big joke, I cant decide which.

  

 

4) My Flat - While not actually a tourist attraction my living conditions may be of note to anybody who is actually taking the time to read this blog.  I have 5 flatmates.  4 are British and 1 is an exchange student from New Hampshire.  I get a room to myself (hurray!!!) but share a toilet, a shower, and a kitchen.  I even have a cleaning service!

I have decided that the reason there aren't really fat people here is because of the size of the toilet and shower.  If you are at all obese there is no way you can get in those rooms.

  The view from my room.  

  My room (much messier now)

   My next door neighbors

To view more pictures just go to my Picasa page.

P.S.  It snowed today.  Actual snow.  It lasted for all of an hour and almost stuck to the ground.