When families travel together, each of us should be able to suggest places we want to see. I have suggested popping over to Liverpool--we are 23 miles away--to see The Beatles Story at the Britannia Vaults. But my daughter hates the city--she actually hates all cities--and my grandson has never heard of John, Paul, Ringo & George. So we opt for Robin Hood instead.
On the way to Sherwood Forest, however, we discover Stoke-on-Trent, and, more specifically, the Trentham Monkey Forest on the Trentham Estate. It is home to 140 Barbary macaques roaming free in a 60-acre forest. We fall in love with the monkeys and their habitat.
These Barbary macaques came here from France and Germany in 2005. Originally, these monkeys were found in North Africa, in the mountainous forests of Morocco and Algeria. These are diurnal monkeys, living in groups of families obeying a strict hierarchy.
There are two babies this season, each about six-weeks old. Barbary macaque males often care for the babies, carrying, grooming, and protecting them. They use the babies to establish and reinforce friendly relationships with other males in an unusual behaviour called "triadic interactions." We witnessed this with both of the babies. Of course, the mothers care for and feed their babies as well.
Here, a male, maybe the father, lets the baby macaque wander away--but not too far!
Needless to say, Sammy loves the monkeys and is excited when they are fed and whenever one casually strolls past where he is standing.
We switch from macaques to plates, as the Wedgwood factory is nearby in Barlaston. Mary and I love Wedgwood and we find out that we can actually make a plate and a cup for ourselves.
Applying the decals, left, that eventually, after firing, left me with my own Wedgwood Plate in my elephant motif.
Off to Nottingham to pursue Robin Hood and his Band of Merry Men. We do not care for the city, but the interactive Tales of Robin Hood on Maid Marian way is enjoyable to visit. Plus, we get to try our hands at archery!
It makes sense to drive north to Sherwood Forest to see the Major Oak, the place where Robin Hood, Little John, Friar Tuck and the rest of the Merry Men hung about. The tree is at least 800 years old, weighs 23 tonnes, has a girth of 10 metres and a spread of 28 metres. Originally called the Cockpen Tree due to its use as a pen for cockfighting, it became known as the Major Oak after Major Hayman Rooke who included it in his 1790 book of ancient oaks of Sherwood. We see how much effort is being made to protect and support the tree.
This visit is memorable for another reason, typically British! As we climb out of the Toyota, I comment what a gorgeous, clear sunny day it is. We begin the twenty-minute stroll through Sherwood Forest to see the tree. We find it, photograph it, and enjoy the surroundings. First, one or two drops of rain and then, suddenly, a torrential downpour that floods the pathways and pours through the thick forest ceiling that should be keeping us dry!
Dry we do not remain, but each of us becomes a sodden mess as we wade back to the tearoom and display area. Wet to the very bones, Steve and I find the car and dry clothes. I change my shirt right there in the parking lot, causing dozens of uniformed and equally soaked young ladies to swoon with shock (or delight)! Never again shall we not carry our rain-jackets with us--at least not until we visit Stratford!
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