INSIDE THE WORLD OF MEETUP

I was feeling absolutely terrible the previous evening and had to drag myself out the house to attend this event. On one hand this was a welcome break from endless walks and on the other it wasn't a mad night out drinking which I certainly wasn't up for. We met at Leicester clocktower and headed to the park after half an hour. We were some of the first in, the weather was dry and not too cold which is always a bonus. First display I'd been to for years and was amazed by the scale of the even, walked for 15 minutes beyond the stage pictured above, passed the funfair and they had another fire on at the far end. If you didn't get food or drinks first thing (I did) you were going to be waiting ages. A small display for the kids, fire jugglers, a singer with the sound terribly mixed and finally the main firework display at 8pm. Not my video. The crowd quickly started leaving after 8:20, was invited for drinks in town but not feeling it and went home

 This was a repeat of the Matlock trip we did 2 years ago.  MATLOCK BATH ILLUMINATIONS/FIREWORKS BEER FISH AND CHIPS (insidetheworldofmeetup.blogspot.com) A lot of people dropped out leaving only 5 of us which was unusual for an event like this. We met at the Merry Widows pub opposite the train station and got the train to Matlock Bath. Had a few drinks at the Midland and the fishpond before loading up with fish and chips. As I wasn't sure until the last minute that I'd actually be going I didn't get a ticket to the light show and fireworks display. I waited outside for 90 minutes while the other 4 went in, loads of people watched the fireworks display from the road and entry to the pubs anyway.  We had the same conversation as last time about not paying to watch the fireworks. Missed the pubs to make sure we got on the train, didn't stop for a drink in Derby. Fairly good night despite low turnout.

With the night out in Leicester getting a tad repetitive I gave it a miss this weekend and opted to go Derby and from there a trip to Matlock bath . Some of us met in the Merry Widows pub just across from Derby train station and caught the train after an hour. I'd not been Matlock for over 30 years and it didn't bring any memories back when we arrived. Went in 2 nice if a little overcrowded pubs The Midland and the Fishpond with a short stop in the arcades in between. It had a very tourist town feel about the place and I'd never seen so many fish and chip shops on one street in my life. This picture was taken outside the fishpond. We then went to see the boat parade followed by the firework display, most of the group did question if it was worth paying 7 pound to see fireworks that you could have just viewed from the street for free. After it was stuff yourself with fish and chips before heading back to Derby, they were going for a drink after but my bus arr...