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THE FODS DO NOTTINGHAM
by Kibby
The last time I went to Nottingham was 10 years ago. I ate 4 wagon wheels and felt very sick. Fortunately this time went a lot better, the traditional bi-annual FODS long weekend, which kicked off in front of the Council Exchange on Friday afternoon. Why we didn’t meet near the left lion I am not sure. It is unfortunate that we could not go up and see the bells, but there was enough amusement in the Council House, which had mysterious buttons and holes in lots of places. It was a very informal tour, led by Alex Foster. Alex was happy after travelling nearly a thousand miles to get Willie in. He also organised the Nottingham weekend and just so happens to be a councillor. We gained some interesting insights into the democratic processes of the city, and even found Gandhi hiding under a nice set of stairs. Are Jockstraps made in Nottingham? One of the tour group seemed very enthusiastic about the possibility.
Friday night
We had some tea and biccies on the taxpayer after the tour and then left to the beautiful sound of Little John. "Little John" is in fact rather large, being the 5th heaviest bell in the UK and weighing over 10 tons. We very much enjoyed the majestic blast of this (Taylor) monster as we walked back to the Hotel to freshen up and wait for the deluge of FODS.
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A noisy stag do was assembling round the corner in the bar and some of the dress was quite interesting. Lord Roberts was our next stop, which is a theatre bar (accommodating "theatre" types) which had quiet music and memorabilia on the walls. More FODS slowly arrived and got chatting here.
At about 9.30 a breakoff group decided to go to for a meal. A few venues were investigated before we found an Indian that could accommodate at a tight squeeze. The rice beer flowed along with the conversation, which varied from a shaggy dog story about a peal attempt at Adelaide, to discussion on the claimed “radioactivity" of the dip that came with the poppadoms.
After the meal, a walk back to the hotel was endured, and then it was straight off to bed for everyone.
A breakaway group who were too busy drinking to eat, found their way to a fast-food "restaurant". Spotting this rabble, Tiddy who just happened to be walking past, kicked off his fods weekend at this eatery! After more drinks, the group returned for a drink at the hotel bar before going to bed (separately)
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