What is it about leaving a place that makes you fall in love with it all over again? As we prepare for our big journey across Central Asia I find myself looking around at all the little things I have on my doorstep, and appreciating them more than ever.
The things that make me smile, things that hold so many memories, and things I will miss…
I want to make it clear that curry is not the ONLY thing I will miss. I’m sure my body will get used to eating fatty morsels of meat on kebab sticks as we travel over the ‘stans, I’m sure it will be fine. There will be no tears – or waking in the middle of the night, interrupted from dreams where I was about to tuck into a spicy melt-in-your mouth lamb curry with a freshly baked, soft naan bread to my side – none of that.
The problem is, I live in Hyson Green – home to some of Nottingham’s finest curry houses. If you are reading this and have not yet sampled such delights then can I suggest you grab your purse and go straight away. Now. My personal favourites are Kabul (where Mantu, steamed dumplings of chopped lamb, onions and herbs topped with yoghurt, is an absolute must) and Desi Express, which has an array of delicious curries and the amazing takka-tak dishes, where the meat is chopped up as it cooks on a large metal grill. It literally makes the sound ‘takka-tak takka-tak takka-tak’ as the chef chops away, which incidentally is a beautiful sound. A curry and a naan bread in both establishments will set you back £5.
So, yes I am a bit worried there might be some curry-starved-tantrums on the Silk Road. But just to prove that is not all I will miss about this lovely ‘hood, here are a few pics I’ve taken in recent weeks of my other favourite things…
The Forest Recreation Ground… thank you for the wine-fuelled summer evenings and crisp, snowy walks
Oh Gregory Boulevard, we’ve had some times, haven’t we? You look prettier in the snow.
Thank you tram for stopping at the end of my road and sometimes making me a little bit less late to things.
Asda, we’ve had a love-hate relationship, but thank you for always serving me wine at 21:59.
You’re one of my favourite doors in Nottingham (and no, I have not been behind it)
Hyson Green, you have buildings of all shapes and sizes. I like your eclectic style.
And I love your rows of red-brick terraces with big bay windows
Errrrm… you have some nice trees?!
The fabulous New Art Exchange: For art, music, craft and FOOD.
Hello My Name is… Hyson Green
Art on every corner.
And yes, there probably will be another post yet on the colourful vegetable stalls, Indian-sweet stores and ahem, curry houses of Hyson Green. Talking of which, I’m getting peckish… time to “make the most” of what’s down the road, eh?
What have I missed? Feel free to share your favourite haunts.
Great pics! I once had a summer job at Radford Road cop shop. Was a proper eye-opener..!
Thanks Rich! Yeah I bet. I turned a bit of a blind eye to the dark side of Hyson Green in this post… Who wants to know about our bike being stolen after being locked up at a lamp-post outside our house, or our bin being set alight in the first week of moving in?! Details, details!
Hi, I’m Mike and stumbled asrcos your great blog. I’m from Nottingham and wandered if you’d have a look at my blog about Nottingham resturants that i’m doing with my friend Nat. Yours is great and given me a few ideas of where to go next. Keep up the good work.