Almost three weeks have passed since I returned to the UK and I am missing the blue. A couple of images from Nottingham and the road along the way.
The stay at my brothers ended last week as we said farewell to my grandad and the family again dispersed back to the towns and cities they now call home. Some of us, e.g., my mother have a bit further to go and a plane is required - but I had the luxury of a road trip 55 miles south east across the Pennines in a camper van owned by my cousin. I've not seen him since my grandma's funeral a decade ago - life getting in the way and death bringing people together.
My cousin works in these hills often as a volunteer doing mountain rescues. Apparently the weather can get a little bit hairy and people can get lost, but it's mostly lower limb breaks and sprains that he has to attend to.
On a good summers day, the UK can be glorious in places like this. I've camped up here a few times and do enjoy time away from the city, but will this scenery make up for the lack of sun, sea, and sand though, we shall see.
I'm not entirely sure why I took a photo of this building, I guess it holds a lot of memories for me. Below is the Newton building, named after Isaac, and it is the home of the Computing and Engineering department of Nottingham Trent University. I studied and worked here for a total of about 18 years, and I must admit, it's not an attractive building to look at at all!
Those who have been around a while my remember photos and videos of 
Into the city centre now and a view of the Town Hall across Nottingham market square.
More often than not, the square holds some kind of event - fairground rides and places to eat are popular, and next month the paving stones will be covered by sand as the space is transformed into the Nottingham Rivera. Hmmm, well at least the sand will be closer and I won't have to cycle so far, right 
As above, Cleethorpes on the east coast of England is the closest beach to Nottingham. That's about a 100 minutes in the car, and the destination when compared to my old 5 minute walk..... I'm not convinced it's worth the trip as by plane you would be over half way to Mallorca in that time!
There is some water close by though, and you can even go for a dip in parts of the water feature shown in the picture of the market square above. That's not for me, and neither would be taking a dip in the pond at the Arboretum which is the city park not far from the University campus. For many years, this park was a part of my commute to work, and before that, the venue of many lazy days spent 'studying' with friends.
No doubt I'll be paying this place a visit, especially if the sun comes out - end of next week apparently.
Finally, a random photo not far from the place I am staying which was taken the other night on my return home from visiting some old friends. Something to break up the grey and green at least.
So far, no luck on the job hunt but I'm not stressing just yet. There is work, but I'd rather hang on a little longer in hope for something that pays reasonably well and is of interest. Failing that, a pay cut and monotonous tasks await :)
Alright, it's time to get my Mallorca fix by watching Love Island. The show is set about 10 km from Cala Millor and the hills you see in the footage are the other side of the ones I could see from the balcony.
I hope you got home safe mum!
Cheers
Asher