INSIDE THE WORLD OF MEETUP

 Not been out in London properly for years so it was long overdue for the (apparently) annual trip to Camden. Nearly missed the bus so it wasn't the best start on Friday, stayed overnight at Palmers lodge in Swiss cottage before meeting the group at midday. 47 were on the list and around a dozen turned up another let down for the numbers at least. £5.65 for a beer is just crazy and it didn't get much better from there, the pubs were good however and had a good atmosphere even early on. With good weather it was perfect to be outside around the locks, it was very busy and took some time to get served in Weatherspoon's. At the temperature dropped we moved back indoors. As the evening rolled on inevitably the group fragmented, they were all going back on the train while I had a couple of miles back to my accommodation. Overall it was a great day out.....

This was one walk where I didn't mind too much about covering old ground since it was a great walk last time. We headed through Wilford village and the church ground then onto Clifton playing fields and central park. Clifton Village was the final call for myself, we had the option of doing an extra 3 miles but as my hourly bus was imminent I bailed out.  

  Leicester meets seemed to be getting a little thin on the ground lately so with a long weekend to recover I headed out. First stop was the usual Queen of Bradgate which was unusually quiet for the first hour, maybe a sign of the times. We then headed next door to the tree, the turnout was only 8 which was a bit of a let down but the night gradually got better as we went along. Finally we headed to the Fan club where we all got a Cadburys crème egg on entry. It was 80s night and my "era" is a decade later but it turned out to be a good one in the end. Stayed until 2:30am then got the long bus combination home.  

  After walking in Derby I stopped in Weatherspoon's for dinner then checked into a hotel in Stapleford (my usual one in Beeston was booked up) then got the bus into town. Met at Spanky van Dykes like back in January where I met some familiar faces. I felt like part of a group now instead of an outsider which is only a good thing. Went to a late bar (below pop world where we went last time) and had a good night. Moved on to Mojos at around 2:30am but it was packed out which was a bit too much so made the journey back to Stapleford.

 I'd been here before and it was only a short walk but I had a night meetup later on in Nottingham. For saying it was good weather I thought the turnout was very poor with only 5 people. Still it was good conversation and a fairly easy walk up the Ace walk hiking area before heading back to the park.

  It was a big of a trek to Ashbourne having to catch 3 buses just to get there but it was well worth it in the end. Arriving early with time for breakfast before meeting the group. Headed up the track and across field/rolling hills in the direction of Dovedale.  We voted on weather or not to climb Thorpe cloud, the only one who didn't walked round got lost and we ended up spending half an hour searching for her at the car park. The views from the top were good and well worth it. It was a very popular place as seen when we went past the stepping stones. We then stopped at the pub in Mapleton before heading across the fields back to the starting point. Had fish and chips with others at the bus stop before the long ride home.