“I love exploring!” my friend cries as he takes another bite of focaccia.
Actually, what he really loves is snacking; and I’m happy to fund his habit, because it has transformed his attitude to our day. I get to investigate this city’s links with a navigator. Meanwhile, in honour of my theme, he gets to eat Italian — and has an enthusiasm for my itinerary that’s suddenly newfound. “Land of the free lunch, that’s what this is!” he exclaims, as we descend a hill topped by a late-19th-century tower. The tower was built to honour a 400th anniversary: and no, we didn’t climb its spiral staircase.
Next stop, half a mile southeast of the tower, is a quay named after a French trading partner. But en route Friend suggests we divert to a theatre. I agree — it’s not far. But once we’re done Friend insists on visiting an Italian deli nearby, followed by a shopping centre named after the navigator.
So it is that, steadily, he steers me off course, until I find myself a mile northeast of the tower, in an inner suburb ablaze with street art. “And no wonder,” Friend says, “given who painted one of his early murals on its western boundary.” The inner suburb was also the forcing house for some of the city’s most influential musicians, including a group founded 37 years ago.
All of which is brilliant. But what about my explorer? “Guess you’re in uncharted waters now,” Friend says. Then he has a massive attack of the giggles.
Suddenly it feels like an ocean of difference lies between us.
Sean Newsom
THE QUESTIONS
1 What is the name of the tower?
2 What is the name of the inner suburb?
LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS (QUIZ 03)
The answers are Henry and Northwold Primary School.