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. 

Whatton Gardens

Whatton Gardens

Whatton Gardens website

Whatton gardens is a beautiful place near the M1, junction 24, and not too far from Loughborough. I went once last year and recently this year. It is a gem. The gardens are maintained by a friendly gardener, Roy Carr, and Lord and Lady Crawshaw themselves. It is £3.50 for adults but free for children.

It is full of surprises. I will share a few here but you will just have to go along to find the others. The garden contains many stone figures, a Chinese garden, a small lake 

and a 'bogey hole'. (Make sure you find this! We struggled the other day!)

The first time I visited the gardens it was a beautiful, sunny day. Recently, it rained. However, there are lots of places to shelter. Below is one of the best but we were nearer a willow tree. 

This is a fantastic find and definitely worth a visit with or without pets or children. Check the opening times though. See the website: closed Saturdays. Tea room open on Sundays.

Happy exploring. x

Shakespeare at The Quorn Grange

The Quorn Grange Website

(Picture from Quorn Grange Hotel's website- see above link)

The Quorn Grange is a beautiful setting for an outdoor Shakespeare play. Unfortunately, it was predicted rain so we watched inside. However, inside was good too with a large function room. The many doors and swishing curtains added to the play.

I have been here before for a wedding. I certainly rate the service. There were plenty of staff on the bar in the interval and the staff were welcoming, friendly and quick.

The Little English Theatre Company

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' was entertaining, lively and romantic. There was a lot of humour in the additional quips and physical jokes, in keeping with the lack of stage directions in Shakespeare's plays. Puck was more energetic than a child after a sugar party. Wired and mischievous, Puck stole the floor. The doting lovers were beautiful and angelic. Humour came from body language, facial expressions and The actors doubled up to successfully change from fairies, to royalty and to actors. Bottom made a wonderful ass with natural but humorous scratching and sound effects. 
A fantastic production to search out and see.
See pictures: http://35millstreet.co.uk/?p=169

The Hope and Anchor, Syston

The Hope and Anchor website

The Hope and Anchor advertises itself as a family pub and it is. It is a friendly and cheap place with a playground. The day I visited it had a bouncy castle and there were lots of summer holiday explorers enjoying it. It can get a bit noisy with all of the children outside but this pub does what it says on the website. It is a great place to bring a family for a reasonably priced meal. I have been a few times for the Sunday Lunch. It is good enough and you can't complain for 2 for 10.

Even if you are on your own or fancy a quiet walk, you can use this pub as a base and set out exploring. Watermead Park is across the road (pedestrian friendly crossing) and you can use the canal side to go as far as you wish into the countryside.

Watermead Country Park

This is a park full of, you've guessed it, water. Plenty of lakes and wildlife, especially ducks. I enjoyed walking here. There are plenty of friendly passers-by (runners, walkers, cyclists, canal boats). I even saw a Basset Hound and a friendly snail.

I also walked down the right hand side of the canal from the pub. Here are a couple of pics:

It was pretty much 'Far from the Madding Crowd'. 

I recommend that you try the pub and surrounding areas. Again, a great place for a walk or a family outing.

Derby Conference Centre: weddings and rooms

Derby Conference Centre

Derby Conference Centre is a great place for a wedding. It has many Art Deco features that will remind you of Poirot and the Charleston. The sunken dance floor makes a stage for any event. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and nostalgia.
The rooms are basic but cheap. My room was exceptionally clean and had the expected shower ensuite, hot drinks and biscuits. The bed was amazingly comfortable. However, I did feel very tempted to press this button:

I still don't know what happens if I press it!

With the wedding deal, the room was £40 for a single room with breakfast. A fantastic deal. The breakfast buffet was fresh and fab. Althougth the fried eggs came out slowly, they were perfectly cooked.

Congratulations to the staff who were courteous and efficient. Excellent service during a busy event.

I would sum up this hotel by saying that everything they do, they do well and everything they offer is good quality.

Sorry for the quality of these pictures, hoping to update my phone and bring better quality soon.

Comedy in Leicester

A friend got a great deal on tickets for a comedy show in Leicester the other week. It was a Saturday night. Imagine the scene: hen parties (those fake net veils, small glossy handbags and short skirts), stag parties (loud yet incomprehensible heckling) and tired but happy Monday to Friday workers who wanted a break from it all.
My friend queued for food- had to get separately: food one place, drinks the other, annoying. The pizza with a name beginning with M...(not margarita, I forget...) was OK. Great chilli heat.

The Raymond and Mr Timpkins Revue (see picture above) gave a fast paced line up of visual gags to popular music. Fab, unusual and funny.

Chris Stokes followed with an intelligent challenge to bullies, though with humour.
The venue on Granby Street, however, is lacking. Lacking bouncers (and perhaps even police), as the hecklers refused to leave and Chris Stokes became a lecturing teacher...he'd tried a few teacherly strategies (I am a teacher; I recognise them.) but nothing really worked. There were a few laughs to be made at the hecklers' expense. "If I was at school I would be beaten...here I am protected by my art...so why don't you just..." (Not as teacherly) You can fill in the...!
"One bouncer to 300" and "We're not putting the next act on until they leave..." meant that we decided to leave early.
A pity, I love comedy. Perhaps midweek at Ashby next time...

Just the Tonic, Leicester
21st July's line up:
http://www.justthetonic.com/Leicester-Comedy/shows/saturday-21-jul-2012/742/

The Red Lion, Rothley

Visited The Red Lion, Rothley yesterday. I remember it as a Wacky Warehouse but that was ages ago.
Now it's a great value but high quality carvery. £4.99 before 7pm. All of the food was good, if on the cool side. Plenty of veg and a choice of two meats or pie. There is also a restaurant menu. One of my friends tried the pie and enjoyed it a lot.
There was a pretty good atmosphere to suit our chatting. It was quiet but not empty which suits me. If you prefer it busier then go later. There is a grassed area and covered smoking area outside if you prefer the fresh air.
Great place for a cheap and ample lunch.
www.greatbritishcarvery.co.uk/our-pubs/red-lion
www.pub-explorer.com/leics/pub/redlioninnrothley.htm

Lively Leicester

Leicester is lively! Here's the torch visiting London Road to begin to prove it. 

(http://www.artsinleicestershire.co.uk/news/leicester_olympics2012.htm) 

However, lively can be both positive and negative. While mostly positive, I intend to bring you both.

Over the next few weeks, I will be blogging about the different things you can do and see in Leicester. There will be places I have visited in the past and others will be recent, planned or current visits. Plus, it's not just Leicester. I will be visiting places around Leicester to bring you reviews and recommendations. 

My relatives are in Wales, so while I am there, I can bring you the best and worst of places I visit.

Let the journey begin!