The Emett Clock

The Emett Clock, otherwise known as The Aqua Horological Tintinnabulator, is a 'water-powered' clock. Designed and created by kinetic sculptor Rowland Emett, the installation of the clock at intu Victoria Centre in Nottingham was completed in 1973. Since then, The Emett Clock has become a much loved local landmark and a popular meeting place among shoppers.

After our morning visit to 'Pure Land' meditation centre and Japanese garden, our group decided to have lunch at an 'all you can eat' buffet restaurant in Nottingham, an hour's drive away from the garden. Unfortunately, the manager got scared of my son's multiple food allergies and politely asked us to leave.

So, our family headed off to our all time favourite fastfood restaurant famous for lovin' it. We finished earlier than the rest of the group who stayed in the buffet restaurant so we had time to waste. We went inside intu Victoria Centre, which was just beside 'maccy d' for some window shopping.

'Pure Land' Japanese Garden: Gallery

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If you have not read the story of our visit to 'Pure Land' Japanese Garden please go here or click Travel link above.

All photos were taken with a micro four thirds camera (https://amzn.to/2K8BUl6) attached with a telephoto zoom lens (https://amzn.to/2YvqiMJ).

'Pure Land' Japanese Garden

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Our summer holiday celebration in 2019 was extended for another week. And this time to a place that will remind you of Japan more than the United Kingdom - a Japanese garden!

I thought the day-out in Skegness Beach the week before was our last hurrah for the summer of 2019. But, a text message from a friend to my wife inviting us to go to this Japanese garden extended the celebration. Curious as we have not been to a Japanese garden before, we accepted the invite.

'Pure Land' Japanese garden and meditation centre is located in the Nottinghamshire village of North Clifton, near Newark. It is less than an hour-and-a-half drive from Peterborough.

This award-winning Japanese garden is created and ran by Buddha Maitreya, who is Japanese, and whose main aim in creating the garden was 'to provide a peaceful, beautiful area which guests and visitors to the centre could enjoy.' While we enjoyed the beautiful garden I do not think our group had a peaceful time while there. We were a 17-strong contingent from Peterborough, half of which are teenagers!

Travel highlights of 2018

Due to unforeseen circumstances we have to abandon our summer holiday plan in Scotland and Wales this year, which we would have spent with friends. However, the warm weather in spring saw us visiting Peterborough’s country park in Ferry Meadows several times. We did manage to squeeze in a day-out in Stonehenge and Windsor Castle in June. On my own, I went to Nottingham also in June and near York in September on work-related travels.

Wollaton Hall in Nottingham

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In mid-June, I joined my work colleagues for our quarterly team-building activity spent in Wollaton Hall in Nottingham. The day before, we held our team meeting in the local office in the city.

Built in 1588, Grade I listed Wollaton Hall nestles in 500 acres of parkland boasting diverse habitats including grassland, wetland and woodland. Herds of red and fallow deer roam free with the lake creating a dramatic contrast to the Hall that overlooks it.

With formal and sensory gardens, historic Camellia House, Doric Temple, ornamental lake and boathouse, avenues of ancient trees and late Georgian lodges, herds of wild deer and 500 acres of parkland, Wollaton Park boasts many unique features. The hall is home to the Nottingham Natural History Museum, restored Tudor kitchens, Admirals Bath, the stunning Prospect Room – located at the top of the building – and Cassandra Room.

Trivia: In 2011, key scenes from the Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises were filmed outside Wollaton Hall. The Hall was featured as the latest Wayne Manor. The Hall is five miles north of Gotham, Nottinghamshire, through which Gotham City indirectly got its name. (Wikipedia)