We had the weekend all planned out with a trip to Derby. A cycle ride on the Saturday with a couple of stops to do some touristy type things then to watch them turn on the Christmas lights. We were staying at the Derby Travelodge. Sunday was either going to be a cycle ride out to Sudbury or a walk in the National Forest near Burton. So much for well laid plans!

Things started to go wrong last weekend when I succumbed to the bugs going round the office. By this Friday I was slightly better but not well. For some reason I didn”t sleep well that night and so was also very tired come Saturday morning. It was obvious that I wasn’t up to a cycle ride so we decided we would still go away but adapt the plans. Andy drove so that I could just chill out and navigate.

Upon getting to the outskirts of Derby we stopped off at Markeaton Park, which is near Derby University. A bit of a stroll around the park and some fresh air was the idea. It is such a lovely place – I remember going with my mum, dad and sister when I was a kid.

We stopped at the cafe and have some great leek & potato soup.

Then we continued our amble.

After a quick coffee back at the car, we drove further into Derby to Pickfords House museum.

On the top floor they have special exhibitions. Currently they have some Derby china on display.

The Pickfords House museum was well worth the visit and is also free to get in.

We then drove into the centre of Derby and parked up. There were lots of people about.

In Market Square there was a live band playing but we were a little early for the Christmas light switch on, so we went off for a coffee. We got back just in time. As the lights were switched on, it started snowing (not real snow but it really helped make it seem Christmassy).

Time to go and check in at the Travelodge we thought but when we arrived they had some kind of problem with the rooms and we were asked to go the the Travelodge at Burton on Trent instead! Certainly this weekend was very different from what we had planned but so far we have enjoyed it anyway!