Days 8 and 9 of the #GreatCentralRouteBack were across the centre of 2 midlands cities: Leicester and Nottingham. According to my informant it was originally called the London Extension of the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway, but as it was built between the East and West mainlines the Great Central Railway seemed a better name. The route of the line also goes through the centre of Sheffield, but more of that later in the week.
On Day 8 we went through Leicester on the Great Central Way, an off road route that follows the GCR. We found a small cafe for elevenses en route. In the city centre I was also able to visit the Richard III exhibition. It makes you wonder what you might find under a car park.
On Day 9 we crossed Nottingham by tram, some of which follows the route of the GCR or crosses it. In the city centre we also visited the City of Caves exhibition, an exploration of some of the hundreds of sandstone caves that exist under the city. We could hear the trams rumbling overhead.
Unfortunately a shopping centre replaced the old station several decades ago.
Our last stop was Bulwell Forest where there was a GCR brick wall by the road side. Of such are great adventure made.
From my remembered bible: Can anything good come out of (enter name of city or town under consideration).
Song of the day: Underground, over ground, wombling free….
From a Friend of Scholastica and a Member of the Lay Community of St Benedict.
Janet Lees, Nottingham, 31st May 2022.