Without history, where would we be? It’s what makes and defines a country. It can sometimes make and define us too. If we let it. Today we make our own bit of history.
Today’s destination – Milestone Caravan Park, a short 144K squirt further north, gives us time to stop off. Go explore Newark. Go find out how the head of Charles I got to be sewn back on. And by order of whom.
Newark old town centre is an unexpected gem. A huge market square greets us. Almost a la continent. All stalls, bar two, respectfully closed for the day. Ninety minutes in the brilliant Civil War Museum brings the events from those dark days into our present. A national conflict, that will run and run.
The Town Hall’s Museum and Art Gallery are closed, but that doesn’t deter the bike riding Lord Mayor from insisting we enter and take a look inside the old police cells. It seems stealing a bunch of copper pots and pans in those days could get you extradited to Australia; but GBH or worse, brought you a small fine.
Lunch, rather than high tea, at the Mad Hatters café, is walked off with a Trent-side amble.
Pretty Milestone site houses Beastie with a view overlooking the small fishing lake.
