The Royal Oak, Kirby Muxloe

An enjoyable meal at The Royal Oak. Home cooked food and great wine. Local produce. Definitely, worth a visit. Cost us 40 pounds for two, two courses plus drinks. 

Great for meat eaters and tapas style starters.

Much better pictures on the website...!

The Royal Oak Website

Rosewater Restaurant Mountsorrel

A Pleasant Surprise

Rosewater's Restaurant Website

Rosewater is a pleasant restaurant with a freshly made up interior and a beautiful garden next to the canal. Situated in Mountsorrel, it is an ideal location for Syston and the surrounding villages.

We went at lunchtime and had some good quality pub grub. However, Indian food is served the evenings. The staff are helpful and friendly.

The prices are a bit more than I would usually pay (I had a voucher), but the atmosphere and fresh food should explain this. I am hoping to return for Indian food for my birthday!

 

A47 Carboot

I love this carboot. Unlike others nearby, it is on grass only. It's without the dust and stones. There are plenty of people. I made 150 one week and  £67 (after a burger, coffee and dog treats) when it rained twice. The people are pretty friendly (there is always the odd one...) and they are mostly reasonable. You can bag all sorts of great bargains plus not too many traders. 
Enjoy!
These are not the best pictures. See the website: http://www.davidfreercarboots.co.uk/

Ashby de la Zouch

The Bull's Head, Ashby

I went with a friend to Ashby de la Zouch to see a play version of Pride and Prejudice at the castle. We needed to eat and after checking the prices and menus at a couple of places (and feeling the need to save a couple of quid) chose this pub. The Bull's Head seems very traditional from outside; the building seems very old-- just look at the wonky wall!

I liked the pub though. It's not the kind of place a 'lady' may come on their own on a Saturday night but we were just early enough to miss the crowds of drinkers. Anyway, we were hungry. It's pretty much good value for money, cheap but reasonable pub food. I couldn't complain about anything. The food seemed good to me. (I nicked the peas off my mate.) I think it was 6 pounds for a burger and a drink. The service was pretty quick, though plates could be cleared more sharpish. Very good.

I did finish this! It was fine.

 'Pride and Prejudice' at Ashby Z's castle. 

I think you have to be a fan of all things Austen to really enjoy an Austen play. I am a fan. The writer, Laura Turner, has adapted the novel very well. She has taken the funniest and most poignant scenes in the novel to create an enchanting play. I was absorbed. We had amazing weather and the castle grounds were beautiful. Mr Collins and Mrs Bennett made excellent fools. Darcy was dark and brooding. The most romantic scene, where Jane accepts Darcy's 'non'-proposal near the end, was captured well in the darkening of the castle grounds. It was a marked contrast to the comedy and beautifully enacted.

 Each actor took more than one role successfully. There were frequent costume changes and some gorgeous clothes. The actors did a good job of staying in role despite a few people who had enjoyed a little, or a lot, of wine with their picnics.

Austen's symbolism in the dancing was considered. The actors did well to dance on such a small stage.

The castle makes a setting that takes you back in time. It didn't seem to matter that it was the wrong era.

A great night out and one that I will remember for a long time.

Hay-on-Wye 2

That's right. Both places have a clock tower...Hay-on-Wye is an amazing town with the label of a book town. The book festival is full of celebrities. The 'king' of Hay is even trying to ban ereaders! I am very fortunate to have relatives that live there; I love the town.

It is a beautiful place with antique, craft and book shops. There is an amazing river. However, Hay is also a real place with real people: farmers, factory workers, shop keepers, cooks, chefs, hairdressers, bin men, teachers and cleaners. Not everyone who lives there is rich. There is at least one deprived estate.  I suppose I am asking you to look at it twice if you visit. You'd be surprised at what's hidden.

Hay-on-Wye

I was brought up in and around Hay-on-Wye, Powys, Wales. Can anyone guess the main similarity between Hay-on-Wye and Leicester, in my eyes?
I will give you a picture to show the answer soon!

Wales and Porth: A bit far from Leicester?

I don't know if you know it but I am originally from Wales. I love the Welsh countryside and the history behind coal mining. The fact that so many Welsh people survived the cold winters and harsh mines just shows what the Welsh are made of! (Tea and Welsh cakes mainly?)

Anyway, I visited my Dad recently and took a few photos of Porth.

Interesting link: The modern Hill Works

History and changes to this building

It seems a good place to live as there is a train link to Cardiff and it is surrounded by amazing countryside (nestled at the edge of the Rhondda Valley. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes and pubs in Porth and the surrounding area.