Here's where the Preservation Geek comes out...

So, I must say that my Preservation Geek self is coming out a lot here. The flats we're in are really old (haven't gotten the scoop on how old, exactly). And. The main draw, is that out my window I can see the old Roman Wall that surrounds the old city. Also across the street is Walmgate Bar, one of the original entrances into the city. Right now, that's where I am. Yup. Hanging out in a 14th century mini-fortress and having a coffee and panini. How sweet is that? It has its original portcullis that they use as shelves behind the coffee bar. Such a great example of adaptive re-use.

Yesterday I went wandering around the old city. I love it. In the 'Burg and other places in America, everyone likes new things better. They tear stuff down and build new rather than try and fix what they have. Here everyone keeps the buildings and makes them adapt to the times, or they adapt to the building. There is a much greater sense of "place" here, it makes you stand back and think about all that happened in this place, and it makes you appreciate it more.