Rotherham

Geological Maps in Imperial Buildings

Resuming at Sheffield University, we studied the topic of directions again, using a few maps that I had brought with me, as well as a copy of the Highway Code. Having driven in mainland Europe on the ‘wrong side of the road’ in a right hand drive car, I could empathise with Irene and Raul, when they lost their sense of direction.

Now into our 4th week, our lessons followed their natural course and we both decided that the idea of compressing our remaining weekend lessons into a Saturday day out was a good one.

Herbs in the Walled Garden at Clifton Park

A change of routine freed up the Sunday for more leisure time and it also gave Irene the opportunity to visit Rotherham, which she would otherwise be unlikely to see during her stay.

I doubt very much if Rotherham is at the top of any list of tourist attractions but, with a little bit of local knowledge, the town can be viewed in another light. With Raul working this time, Irene arrived on the X78 bus and we met at the Chapel on the Bridge.

The Chapel of Our Lady on Rotherham Bridge

Our first port of call was Imperial Buildings, to drop off my contribution to an ‘open art’ exhibition that was being held on the day; although not my own work, I thought that everyone would be interested in seeing geological maps of Catalonia and Bavaria - I also knew that it would add a bit more colour to this event.

Walking up Doncaster Gate to Clifton Park Museum, we looked at the Rhinoceros Vase and explored other aspects of Rotherham’s history, before taking a quick tour of Clifton Park and heading off back into the town centre via the market. There, yet another variety of the South Yorkshire language is used and, when talking with some of my friends, Irene had to listen to us all when we spoke very quickly...

The Rhinoceros Vase at Clifton Park Museum