OK...so this week's post is stretching a point a bit. My destination was just outside Nottingham in Eastwood. But that's only just slightly further away than a trip into the City centre...and I felt, for numerous reasons, that it was time I paid a visit to the birthplace of DH Lawrence. After all, I've been in Nottingham for almost 30 years and studied his books for A Level and for my degree...
First a confession...
I have a degree in English. A 2:1 honours in fact...and I'm proud of the fact that I achieved this without reading a single book on the course! What do you expect from someone who chooses to study English at a Welsh university (where, incidentally, the exams were in Welsh with English subtitles)?
There were reasons for both my choice of university and degree. The location was to follow someone I thought was the love of my life. He'd had to relocated to Wales...and promptly dumped me before I'd finished my A levels - I was stuck with Cardiff. My choice of course was straightforward. What could I do to get the best result with the least work. And as few contact hours as possible...
I have a degree in English. A 2:1 honours in fact...and I'm proud of the fact that I achieved this without reading a single book on the course! What do you expect from someone who chooses to study English at a Welsh university (where, incidentally, the exams were in Welsh with English subtitles)?
There were reasons for both my choice of university and degree. The location was to follow someone I thought was the love of my life. He'd had to relocated to Wales...and promptly dumped me before I'd finished my A levels - I was stuck with Cardiff. My choice of course was straightforward. What could I do to get the best result with the least work. And as few contact hours as possible...
There were reasons I thought I disliked Lawrence. Firstly, I recall a description from my school days:
"He sat erect, immortal. Like a Pharaoh on a throne"
(or something similar)...What was he describing? A bloke driving a bloody tractor! This was just waaay too poncy for my teenage brain to compute. My judgement was instant and uncompromising. I hated Lawrence.
The second reason was that my mother, a permissive lefty, adored him. (In fact, I'm fully convinced she would have sent me to Summerhill school if it had been geographically possible. ) As soon as Lady Chatterley's Lover, having been banned, was published we had a copy proudly on display on the living room bookshelf. Along with Lollita, and other material I considered totally unsuitable for children to read!
I also recall, at the age of 11, babysitting my 6 year old brother. My mum had suggested there was a good film, "Women in Love" showing. When I switched it on, I was confronted with the image of Alan Bates and Oliver Reed wrestling, naked by firelight. I was embarrassed and uncomfortable, thinking this was a bit pervy and certainly not what I should be letting my kid brother see. Now, many years later I think it's time to revisit my prejudices and perhaps, even have a stab at reading a Lawrence novel!
"He sat erect, immortal. Like a Pharaoh on a throne"
(or something similar)...What was he describing? A bloke driving a bloody tractor! This was just waaay too poncy for my teenage brain to compute. My judgement was instant and uncompromising. I hated Lawrence.
The second reason was that my mother, a permissive lefty, adored him. (In fact, I'm fully convinced she would have sent me to Summerhill school if it had been geographically possible. ) As soon as Lady Chatterley's Lover, having been banned, was published we had a copy proudly on display on the living room bookshelf. Along with Lollita, and other material I considered totally unsuitable for children to read!
I also recall, at the age of 11, babysitting my 6 year old brother. My mum had suggested there was a good film, "Women in Love" showing. When I switched it on, I was confronted with the image of Alan Bates and Oliver Reed wrestling, naked by firelight. I was embarrassed and uncomfortable, thinking this was a bit pervy and certainly not what I should be letting my kid brother see. Now, many years later I think it's time to revisit my prejudices and perhaps, even have a stab at reading a Lawrence novel!
The Bikey Bit
There has to be a bikey bit...
I plugged the DHLawrence Museum postcode into Google maps, specified I was cycling...and Bingo! A perfectly planned traffic free route right into Eastwood...I went out along the Erewash Canal and back via the Nottingham Canal. Much of this route is signposted as part of the Erewash Valley Trail
There has to be a bikey bit...
I plugged the DHLawrence Museum postcode into Google maps, specified I was cycling...and Bingo! A perfectly planned traffic free route right into Eastwood...I went out along the Erewash Canal and back via the Nottingham Canal. Much of this route is signposted as part of the Erewash Valley Trail
I even stumbled across the Raleigh Factory...
The Museum itself didn't look like much to write home about - tho I confess I didn't go in! But the streets were evocative of an early 20th century mining community...and the backs of the terraces still have what I think is a similar feel to them...
And if you've read this far, you deserve to know the "how to get an English degree without reading the books" formula.
Read page 1, 101, 201...and so on.
Then say why the language is typical of the novel as a whole.
Simples! Really did work!
Read page 1, 101, 201...and so on.
Then say why the language is typical of the novel as a whole.
Simples! Really did work!