Lesley's Visit (21st - 26th July 2010)

How lucky I am that Lesley decided to spend a few days visiting me - well, really having a look at some of the good things around Nottingham, but I think of it as a visit to me!
On our first evening we had a meal in Las Ignassu which is a South American restaurant and then had a tango lesson. Since Lesley, Tony and I will visit Argentina next year this was as close a taster as we could get.
The next day was devoted to Chatsworth. We have been before but such a place deserves more than one visit. We were just about the first through the gates and took our time having a slow and thorough walk round. We shopped for some exellent produce in the Farm Shop. We had enough energy for an evening of Ceroc but there were so few people there, that the evening was rather flat.
On the Friday we were joined by Karen and we had an excellent day at Newstead Abbey. It is just north of the city and it's somewhere I will visit many times again to enjoy the house or to walk round the gardens. certainly exceeded expectations. We had a meal with Jane in the evening at The Riverbank which is now my favourite as well as my local.
Saturday was spent at a cool Wollaton Park for 'Splendour', Nottingham's pop concert. Annabelle joined us. We had a lot of sitting around with acts that will never feature in my chosen listening but the eening was made by the Pet Shop Boys. Great songs, great performance with 4 dancers and a wonderful light and video show backing them.
Sunday morning was spent at Alvaston Park which is close to Derby and is another excellent place for walkibng and bird watching. Again I will visit by myself frequently.
In the arternoon it was The Sunday Lounge with Marc, Dianne, Joan, Jane and Janet. We organise this monthly gathering with smooth music for some slowish jive and a few tangos.

Lesley's train was on Monday but there was time to look maat Nottingham Contemporary - always worth a visit if only to rant!) and for Lesley to buy from a local artist some of his work in a colour to match the wallpaper!

So, a lovely visit and I feel pleased that I had thought about what we should do and had for once planned our outings!