INSIDE THE WORLD OF MEETUP

 With the overdue Euro 2020 under way I was taking a mini break out of meetups but since this one didn't interfere with anything I thought why not. It was also only 5 miles instead of the usual 8, we met outside a pub on the main road and did a circuit of the nature reserve. It was flat and easy despite the muggy weather and another place I'd never been before. A few faces I'd not seen for a year since a few were still cautious about Covid.   To be honest I was a bit on the tired side due to lack of sleep so glad I didn't go any further. Had the chance to stay for a drink but with one bus an hour and the next one due in 10 minutes I opted for the early ride home.

  How long have I waited for this, almost 16 months at a rough guess. An afternoon / evening out drinking away from my own village. Not including short stop-offs at pubs while out with walking groups. We met in Weatherspoon's at 4pm, I caught up with a couple of old faces as well as meeting several new ones. After a few drinks we moved to an outside area where you could order food and drinks from nearby places. I wasn't hungry and the group split into 2 for a couple of hours between those who wanted to eat and those who didn't It was a very hot summers afternoon and with Covid restrictions in place most of the pubs had security controlling the people going in so there were lengthy queues. We ended up going in the cooler indoors at Hogarth's. Just as back in the village near home there were obvious inconstancies on how strict the pubs are with the restrictions. You could sit 7 on a table for hours in one pub without anyone saying a word only to do the same in another and

A new group had formed during lockdown and I was invited to join, the first time I have had to pay a membership fee, only a few pounds a year so no big deal. I did question spending longer on the bus (one way) than the actual walk itself and the fact that there was only 2 others going. But with nothing else pending and I be sitting at home watching the Euros the next few weekends I went anyway. The other 2 on the walk were friendly and talkative which always helps, we headed to an area north of Markeaton park. The scenery was unexpectedly good and not too hilly.   With the temperature going above 20 degrees it was a good thing it was only around 90 minutes long. Ultimately I had to get my foot in a new meetup group as so many others had closed during lockdown.