Yippee!! A bank holiday week end, the best kind of week end as Monday is a public holiday! On Saturday we were up early and on our way by 8.20am. When we arrived at Hardwick hall, we headed to their coffee shop for something to drink, a nice civilised way to start the day. After that we made our way to the Food Festival. We go every year, and I have never seen so many people there. I guess the good weather brought everyone out! There were two big marquees full of stalls, it was fun ambling about looking at everything and sampling all the goodies for sale - cheese, sausages, gin, vodka etc. There was quite a variety, and its always best to get there early before the crowds really builds up. By mid-morning you can barely get near the stalls - especially when you are only 5ft tall! We bought quite a few things, including snacks for lunch. 
As usual there was live music, so we found ourselves a comfy hay bale and enjoyed listening. The performer was called Jessica Rhodes and apparently she supported Bruno Mars on tour last year. She was really good, and we ended up staying for the whole set. She performed her own songs plus many covers we knew - a lovely way to spend a sunny day! After the set was over we went over to say hello and to buy one of her EP's. She actually thanked us for staying and listening to the whole thing. Performers obviously notice these things - so bare that in mind next time you're listening to live music and decide to get up and walk away!!
We also went to see a cookery demo by Howard Middleton, who was on one of the earlier Great British Bake Offs. He was hilarious and had everyone laughing, it was more of a comedy performance than a cookery demo!
We ended up staying at the food festival way longer than in previous years, the good weather certainly made a huge difference. When we finally dragged ourselves away, we headed over to Hardwick Hall to look around the house and gardens. Though we have been several times before, we always enjoy going back. We discovered Bess of Hardwick holding court in front of the hall, enthralling visitors with her life story. She certainly is an interesting character, and for her time a very forward thinking woman. The lady who they have playing the part of Bess really gets into the role, you almost feel you have travelled back in time. It all adds to the experience!!
We had a lovely afternoon, and were both tired by the time we left. On the way home we called in at East Midlands Outlet Centre and had a little wander around, followed by dinner at Pizza Express. Lovely way to end the day, we finally got home at around 8.30pm and all I wanted to do was crash out on the sofa!!!
Bank Holiday Monday was a very warm and sunny day, unheard of for a Bank Holiday!! We headed over to Barton Marina in the morning to see the Greatest Showman at the Red Carpet. I have been wanting to see the film again, and I am so glad we got the chance. I think I enjoyed it even more this time, it really is an amazing film. After the film we had lunch at the Red Carpet's bistro. Lunch was lovely, though a little slow in arriving. Mind you we were both hungry which didn't help - LOL!! The marina was very busy, lots of people out enjoying the sunshine, we get so little of it! Of course we had to join the long queue for ice cream. Thankfully they hadn't run out of Jaffa cake ice cream, I would have been so disappointed if they had! Having found somewhere shady to eat our ice cream, we people watched for a little while before heading home.
Even having that extra day, the week end flew by. But we got to enjoy it, even sitting outside in our garden with gin and tonics - very civilised!
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