I came to a sudden realisation the other day, an epiphany if you will: After almost a whole year, after almost twelve months of having been at the helm of this sarcastic, politically-charged, procrastination-inducing and let's be honest, quite often rather pretentious blog, I haven't actually introduced you to its 'Mother'.
'The Diary of a Frank Fresher' - A recording of my experiences and thoughts as I trundle along through my first year as a university student - It only seems right that I introduce you to the city and campus that welcomed me to this terrifying experience.
This is where I live. To your left is Victory House, directly in front of you we have Paston House and then in the distance Colman House. Those last two suck. Right on the edge of UEA Campus, Victory House is where they place you if they know that you're a cool kid.
Victory House, Flat 5, Room B has been my home for the last year, and it has been marvellously lovely.
(No, this is not a file image this is a photo that I took of a sunset over campus. Yes, this does actually happen quite often. Benefits of being on the East Coast bayybayyyy)
The Ziggurats - Yet more accommodation. Probably one of the things for which UEA is most famous, when these were built in the 60s they were considered a marvel of architecture and they still look pretty cool now. Massive rooms with views that overlook the Lake....Unfortunately, I haven't got a photo of them from the inside. It's a long walk from one end of campus to the other, you know: I don't do it all that often. (Photo - UEA Website)
This is the Lake. The UEA Lake. Or as it's officially labelled on a map, 'The University of East Anglia Broad'. They like to make things sound fancy. I've never actually found out if it is officially a Norfolk Broad or if the PR Buffs at the University have just stolen the name in the hope that nobody would notice. Either way, I (might be) liv[ing] in an area of outstanding natural beauty. That's pretty cool. The lake, (alongside the Ziggurats) should probably have earned UEA the title of 'Most Instagram-able University in Britain'. I might make that a thing. I've really appreciated having an area like this so close to my flat. It's brilliant for getting some exercise or sitting outside and doing some work. The latter has proven to be quite a recent novelty because if there is one criticism I could give about Norwich it would be 'bloody windy'; the sun has been a welcome addition.
This is the LCR. Norwich's answer to an Academy. Gigs several times a week and DJ sets and club nights to fill the gaps. A lot of stuff like this happens.
UEA Bunnies - Campus is full of them- Literally, full. Thousands of bunnies live wild on campus, sometimes to the annoyance of its inhabitants as you find yourself falling down a rabbit hole when your arms are full of shopping, but more often than not the Bunnies just serve to brighten up your day and provide a hell of a lot of 'Awwww' Therapy. This 'Awww' Therapy can come in two forms,either literal, or via cyber-space as a means of essay procrastination - yes, the bunnies have their own Twitter page.
(Unfortunately this is the best photo I've ever been able to get of a bunny, cute though they are, tame, they ain't.)
Just to round off my little segment about UEA, before we move on with the tour and branch out into the realms of the unknown that is Norwich City, I believe that this is a brilliant way to conclude. As well as being full of lovely bedrooms, pretty lakes that are overrun with bunnies, bars and bands, UEA is simply full of lovely people. Here exampled in something that I found stuck to one of the Library noticeboards recently. 'Remember, you mean something linguistically and as a person'. Not entirely sure what it means, but it makes you feel nice and fuzzy.
Norwich is a city. Norwich has everything that you could ever expect of a city really: Big brand shops, big brand restaurants, buses, hospitals, traffic jams, et cetera, et cetera.
I don't really want to show you any of that. You could get in your car and drive to any city to see stuff like that. What makes Norwich so brilliant is the stuff that gives it the unique charm and loveliness.
These are the Norwich Lanes. Ancient, old cobbled streets, full of independent shops and wonky walkways that you can get lost in for hours but that probably should come with a warning if ever wearing high heels. The Lanes are a real hive of creativity, showcased not only in the huge number of amazing independent shops, bars and restaurants, but also in its art. Street art, such as the one I've pictured on the right fills a lot of the floor space and wall space amongst the Lanes and looks brilliant alongside all of the ancient-ness. I've picked this piece in particular because it's my favourite - it's a brilliant example of the left-wing politics that seems to be prominent here, something that not only did I find really welcoming, but also that has really surprised me given the wealth of the city.  |
| Definitely the best street name in Norwich |
Norwich has also got a bit of a name for itself as being an incredible place to eat and that is certainly not an unfair title.
I could not possibly count the number of amazing independent restaurants and cafes in Norwich, this is a city that knows how to do food. They know how to do it cheaply and they know how to do it well.
Barbecue, bagels, breakfast, fish and chips, pizza, pubs, tapas, cocktails, vegetarian, vegan and some of the most amazing tea and coffee I have ever tasted .... I still haven't eaten in the same place twice.
I just tried to start listing some of these amazing places and realised it would just take up too much room. Norwich food deserves its own blog post, something that I'm sure will be coming very soon.
If you're going to come to Norwich, make sure that you come hungry.
Finally, we have Norwich Cathedral and Tombland - I will admit, I have always been fascinated by Cathedrals. I've never really associated with a religion but whenever I see a Cathedral I just have to go in. I'm like a child with a sweet shop.
Norwich, as you would expect, has a Cathedral, but even more excitingly, (for a sad sack like me) it is surrounded by Tombland. If you head towards the Cathedral you enter under what you would probably perceive to be the entrance to the gardens or grounds, however, on the other side is what I can only describe as a perfectly preserved village. A village that is watched over and cared for by the Cathedral. This place looks exactly like it was pulled out of a Jane Austen BBC adaptation: Georgian houses and well kept courtyards, its quite simply rather splendid. I'm convinced that sometime I will encounter my very own Mr Darcy; I go there regularly just to sit and people watch. 'People watch' - in one paragraph I've made myself look both really sad and really creepy.
All this, and only twenty minutes from the seaside. And you thought Norwich was some 'nothing place' stuck out in the middle of nowhere. How silly of you.
Thanks Norwich - Love ya'
(All photo credits my own unless otherwise stated)
