Guy Fawkes Night

Bonfire night: Celebrating the fact that King James I in 1605 had survived the 'Gunpowder Plot', people lit bonfires around London, and months later the introduction of the Observance of 5th November Act enforced an annual public day to give thanks for the plot's failure. (You've seen V for Vendetta right?)

As you can see over these peoples heads the fire is pretty tall.

I wish there was an effigy of the Guy Fawks, instead we got pallets of wood.

The height of the fire.

Tonight we went to Markeaton Park to join thousands of people to watch a 40 foot fire ablaze before the fireworks went off. Also in the park there was a fun fair going on for the kiddies and of course the fast food vendors wafting their greasy smells through the night air.

Peak District

Danny's family was nice enough to take us out to Peak District today to show me around the hills of the area. Monsal Head consisted of a bridge, a tunnel, waterfall and lets not forget the grassy plains surrounded by hills. We walked around in the bridge but voted against walking all the way through.

Where is that secret brick, I know that it is around here somewhere.

We didn't actually walk across this bridge but we did take a couple pictures before we decided to walk towards the waterfall. I was quite excited to see what was and English waterfall entailed.

A picture of me testing out the temperature of the water.

The full effect of the waterfall.

 

From the little bridge in Bakewell...there was a large 'infestation' of birds from the tourists feeding them way to much bread. Seriously oversized.

After our slow incline back to the top we drove into the town of Bakewell, known for their pudding? Around town I pet my first goose, strolled in some very quaint shops and the arts and crafts fair.

A fish & chips shop in Matlock Bath.

Off to Matlock Bath, a place filled with fish and chip shops, sweets and ice cream all down the street. There is even a small amusement park at the top of the hill.

I tried my first meat pie today (steak and potatoes) I have to tell you that with gravy on top it was sure delicious. A another wonderful day out exploring the new and exciting nearby locations.

Over and Out.

Fred Zeppelin

It was due time to set off into the weekend night life and we had come across a flyer saying that there was a Zeppelin tribute band playing right in our own backyard. Of to a place called The Flower Pot. I thought it was an odd name for a venue but when I stepped inside I realized that this place couldn't fit more than 50. Danny tells me there was a sign above the door saying that the capacity was 250, I really doubt that.

They started their show at half past 9, I seriously thought that they would begin their show later but I guess here people want to make it back home before midnight. However they did play a full 2 hour set with no intermission.

The drummer was an old bald man with a translucent drum set that I found mighty mesmerizing, to be able to watch his hands while he played out his solos. The bass guitarist was 25 pointed out to the crowd by the lead singer. The guitarist did his part in bringing some flare to the stage, with over the head riffs and him playing a long winded outro with a violin bow. The lead singer Fred Zeppelin had his own personal touch but in the end I wish his voice was as powerful as Robert Plant. i was a little sad that they didn't have a keyboard as part of their set. To be honest I'm not really hacking on them at all it was a nice reminder that classic rock will on even when 90% of the people at the gig was about mid 40's doesn't mean that the younger generation cannot appreciate the live production of something that changed the souls of the past.

Bringing some awesome classics: (in no order) Whole lotta love, Tangerine, Stairway to heaven, Communication breakdown, Dazed and confused, Kashmir, Black Dog, Misty mountain hop, Rock n' Roll, Nobody's fault but mine, Immigrant song...and so on. I really wished that they would have played D'yer M'aker.

Now I have to say that I have been lucky enough to have seen 'A Whole Lotta Led' at Pemberton. Since this show reminded me of them I went ahead to take a look at their future gig dates and found that they will be playing in England. I hope that we can catch them whilst they are touring Europe. Side note: On this search for Zeppelin tribute bands I found that there is a full girl band called Zepparella, after youtubing them I found the urge to pay them a visit too. I'll have to wait until I make it back to the states before that will happen.

Final note: LONG LIVE LED ZEPPELIN.

Day in Leicester

Haymarket Memorial Clock Tower

Danny's friend Tiva was heading out of town and invited us along for the ride, my first road trip. Even though it was only a day trip out of Derby Danny and I got to see some awesome sights. Before wandering into the shiniest Highcross shopping centre we came across Leicester market filled with all sorts of stuff.

A produce market, one of my favourite kinds.

 After our wander around odd stores (one named CULT with over prices clothes for the boringly average with too much money) and the book store of course. On our wander back to get picked up to our next unknown destination we walked right past an American candy store! Yay, twizzlers. Inside the Haymarket shopping centre we tasted some very yummy Italian candy oh it was good...might have to switch over since twizzlers aren't readily available all the time. 

It looks like a pint glass from below.

I would like to brag and say that we walked all this way to see the pint castle but alas we did not, we had the luxury of driving most of the way.

A picture of white deer!

And over here we see The Pint. (okay that isn't the real name)

 After some nice sight seeing in the rain of the open vastness that England has to offer, off to the museum. I really have to say that i love that all the museums a least the ones that I have been to have all been free. Unlike ours back in Canada.

At the New Walk Museum, there was a two headed lamb donated by a local veterinarian.

I learned that some have problems spelling Leicester. So here is a nice little jingle for kids to remember:
Lions Eat Ice Cream Every Saturday Tigers Eats Rats? There seems to be a couple variations.
We had a wonderful day in Leicester.

Around Derby

It has been awhile since I posted an update but I wanted to wait until I had something with more 'woo' to write about. So here it is my dear friends back home.

Derby Museum, since we got hungry we didn't go through all the exhibits, we'll be back. We browsed through the porcelain collection, onto the Stone Age to the Middle Ages with a sarcophagus. Astronomical: The beauty of a thousand stars. was the one that I really wanted to see and within it we found...

A one pound note. Whoah. I wish they didn't convert everything into coins.

 

Off to the Cathedral: 

Danny...self explanatory.

The front of the cathedral, I couldn't fit the whole thing into the frame so you get the top of the gate.

The river that runs through Derby. Good ol' refection on water photograph.

 

Going to see the Zeppelin cover band this Friday...and possibly the Floyd Experience, Jimi Hendrix....

I just wanted to share some pictures, I am sure I will have more to write about very soon since Halloween is around the corner and something called bonfire night. Until then. Cheers.