Spalding

As if going to Reading wasn't enough, I've just gotten back from the latest venue in my tour of the world...Spalding. I've had such a fun and adventure filled time I think it better be split into two posts, so I'll try and keep this first one mainly about the place itself.

Now, for those of you who don't know where Spalding is (which, let's face it, is pretty much all of you), I've just returned from a short Google to find a map of the UK with Spalding marked on it. Unfortunately, no such thing exists (although I did manage to find that map of Europe on which Wales was somehow missed out), with big places such as Kings Lynn and Wisbech pushing it off the map, so I've drawn it on myself:



Located a mere 25 minutes from the conurbation of Peterborough, Spalding is a hive of activity to rival Paris, Rome or London. Always on the cutting edge of technology, a sign prominently displayed in the centre triumphantly announced "Internet Now Open".

Being a music lover, one of the first things I did upon entering the startling metropolis of Spalding was to engage myself in the local scene. The local scene consisted of an independently run bookstore, with the latest releases tucked away near the back. Admittedly, the choices were rather limited, with the store only catering for 'Jazz/Blues', 'Classical' and of course, the inevitable pop. I bought the London Suites by Fats Waller and Crazy Rhythm by jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli (both dirt cheap), though I was tempted by some of the contemporary music in the pop section, which ranged from Glenn Miller to Julie Andrews, and even with that youthful rascal George Gershwin making the way into the rack, with his wild, bangin' tunes.

Obviously, with any urban nucleus such as Spalding, there's going to be gang trouble, and the police simply weren't around when we saw two boys in a fiesta, parked on a single yellow line for well over an hour, talking to three girls on the side of the street. The locals gave these guys, known as the local mafia dons, a wide berth, averting the eyes of their children, knowing that at any time one of the boys could light a menthol cigarette.



Rampant sarc(h)asm aside, Spalding is actually quite a gorgeous place, and does really enjoy all mod cons, even electricity. I still think there's a market for Sega Megadrives and Sony Walkmans there though - you'd make a killing. A short walk takes you to Springfields shopping centre, with some absolutely gorgeous and free gardens provided for all (and, astonishingly, ignored by most shoppers), designed by some of the big names in gardening. See above and below.



There's a gorgeous river running through the place, a 13th century parish church, lots of other places of fair interest and just lovely scenery all round. It's a relatively short train trip to London or Nottingham, though that's normally used in the opposite direction when it comes to shopping trips. You see, the independent shops in Spalding are phenomenal - selling simply amazing food, books, art, antiques and clothes - and people apparently travel there from the big cities just to visit the shops. Highly recommended for a visit, or maybe even a short stay if you're looking for somewhere relatively close, quiet and not too pricy.

Second post (ie: what I actually did) coming up later, watch this space.