Stu in Nottingham - Ice Hockey play-offs 8-9 April

[EdinCapitals]

Stu, me & a Hibby mate, and my daughter & her pal are coming down for the play-offs. Ok - the chances of Edinburgh playing are incredibly remote - but I've heard it's a fantastic weekend with lots of action both on & off
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the ice.

Please would you help me out with a couple of points:

1) our flight is due to land at 1115, with the first play-off starting at 1. I'd like to check in at the hotel in Gregory Boulevard first. Given the time constraints would you recommend taking a taxi from the airport (do you know the approx cost?).

2) Being single lads now, my mate and I would like go out for a
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and hopefully some pleasant chat with local ladies
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, where would you recommend?

cheers

[Stu]

Originally Posted by EdinCapitals

Stu, me & a Hibby mate, and my daughter & her pal are coming down for the play-offs. Ok - the chances of Edinburgh playing are incredibly remote - but I've heard it's a fantastic weekend with lots of action both on & off
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the ice.

Please would you help me out with a couple of points:

1) our flight is due to land at 1115, with the first play-off starting at 1. I'd like to check in at the hotel in Gregory Boulevard first. Given the time constraints would you recommend taking a taxi from the airport (do you know the approx cost?).

2) Being single lads now, my mate and I would like go out for a
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and hopefully some pleasant chat with local ladies
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, where would you recommend?

cheers

Alright bud. Nice plan.

Transport

DG Cars are the most reliable cabs in the area. They quote £22 for an airport run on the site. You can get an exact quote and book a car from here: [Only Registered Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register]

For two sharing the fare, I'd do it that way and with your time constraints I'd certianly do it that way.

There is a regular bus service however.

I've linked a pdf below. Basically you would need to get off at the terminus on Friar Lane which is adjacent the main Market Square smack in the middle of the city. Gregory Boulevard is a main thoroughfare around a mile south of the centre of the city leading off from the main Mansfield Road.

To catch a connecting bus, simply walk up to Upper Parliament Street (5 mins, anyone will tell you where it is) and hop on a number, 57/58/59/87 on the north side of the street. Ask to be dropped at 'The Forest' a handful of stops up the road. Gregory Boulevard runs alongside the north side he Forest recreation ground area (nothing to do with the football team these days).

Timetables for buses that pass Gregory Boulevard: (Extremely regular)
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Bus/Rail from airport
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Nightlife

The Ice Stadium is situated well and on the edge of the trendiest part of the city for pubs and clubs - The Lace Market area.

A few I've used around there are The Pitcher and Piano (a renovated church), The Living Room (which straight opposite) and The Keanes Head very close by. These are all 5 mins brisk walk from the stadium, heading towards the city. There are literally hundreds of bars, clubs and restaurants within waling distance around The Lace Market and the city centre though. You'll be falling over them...and the Nottingham girls as well!

The Lace Market:
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For a drink before the game amongst hockey folks from all parts, try the The Bunkers Hill Tavern adjacent the stadium.

Between games on the Saturday afternoon you could visit Hooters 10-15 mins walk, towards the railway station on London Road!

Some random facts for you:

Gregory Boulevard is about 2 miles from the Ice Stadium.

Market Square in the city centre is 10-15 mins walk from the Ice Stadium.

Mind the Forest Road area just south of Gregory Boulevard - it's a red-light area!

Last time I went to the playoffs there was a bar/disco set up on the second rink. You will see hockey players socialising int there - it's a good craic. It dies a bit on the Sunday night mind. Good in the day for the hockey stalls selling stuff though.

The NIC has plenty of concessions with lager at around £2.80 a pint. The concourses do get lively so head down there from the seats with a few seconds still on the clock in order to get a pint rapido. You can take your beer to the seats.

Taxi city - Gregory Boulevard late night = about £5. You could practically walk it mind.

Mansfield Road is an artery road into the city (bit like Leith Walk) It has some decent pubs down it too if you want a crawl into town. (The Lincolnshire Poachers and The Hard to Find Cafe are pretty good for a call-in).

Nottingham city centre is relatively small and concise. It's an area you can walk around and go anywhere for a drink/club whatever.

Hope that answers your questions ok?

Anything else, feel free to shout up. Hope you have a great time.

[EdinCapitals]

Many thanks Stu, this info will be invaluable - and I'm looking forward to it even more now
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[Stu]

I really hope Edinburgh get there for you. Don't worry if they don't as you'll still have a great time - it's a real festival atmosphere down there, in particular on the Saturday. Loads of stuff to buy if you like that kind of thing too.

I've been watching hockey on and off for over 25 years here now, so as I say, anything I can help you with, just give me a shout.

Go Edinburgh!

[EdinCapitals]

Regrettably, Edinburgh didn't make the play-offs, but we're looking forward to a cracking weekend
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. Here's hoping Hibs can provide the icing on the cake with a victory at Aberdeen.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by EdinCapitals

Regrettably, Edinburgh didn't make the play-offs, but we're looking forward to a cracking weekend
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. Here's hoping Hibs can provide the icing on the cake with a victory at Aberdeen.

Sure you'll have a great time mate.

Don't feel too bad about the Caps - the Nottingham Panthers failed miserably as usual despite being tipped. The usual embarrassement for the Nottm fans - hosting the finals (which the NIC does well) yet can't ice a team worthy of being in the final four.

0-7 att home to their great rivals, the Sheffield Steelers - how bad does that sound?
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Any last minute stuff you need to know bud -just shout eh?

[Burbank Lilywhite]

Originally Posted by Stu

0-7 att home to their great rivals, the Sheffield Steelers - how bad does that sound?
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Ask a Boston Bruin supporter, they've plenty of experience getting humped by the Habs come April and May.
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