PURSUE THE ADVENTUROUS THINGS

Hello.

Since my last post I made a list (I really do enjoy a good list). On this list I wrote everything, big and small, that I would like to pursue. Number 7 simply says 'adventures'.

So, I went on an adventure!

Well, a sort of relaxed adventure. Andy and I packed an overnight bag, took Izzie for a sleepover at my mum's house (she's the best) and off we drove to little ol' Matlock.

We stayed at the High Tor hotel and it was wonderful. The carpet was a bit dodgy but the stunning chandelier and gorgeous original windows made up for it. The building was WOW and the views were be-a-u-tiful.

Once we had checked in at the hotel we headed into Matlock Bath, only to find that pretty much everything was closed due to the snow (cheers Mother Nature). So, we had a wander across one of the bridges over the River Derwent and onto Lover's Walks. 

Although cold and breezy, it was lovely ... until I could no longer feel my face. At that point we happily retreated to the nearest pub. Andy was very pleased to find draught Ale being served and I (and my numb face) was over the moon to find a coal fire burning away.

On route back to the car we came across a little amusements arcade (also with terrible carpets. What's going on Matlock?). We were eventually defeated by the 2p machine and whack-a-mole, so we called it quits and headed back to the hotel.

We ate dinner in the cute little hotel restaurant that night. It was yum. In the pursuit of trying new foods (number 2 on the list), I decided on a lovely local Lamb dish and with it; I had a thoroughly enjoyable glass of Chardonnay. I stopped at just the one as even that went to my head! Due to old age and over a year of sobriety thanks to child rearing, I'm no longer able to have more than an alchopop without becoming tipsy and giggly. Unless of course, it's my birthday and there are 80's power ballads playing, in which case I'm unstoppable.

Breakfast is my most favourite thing about any trip away, and the hotel's 'Full English' did not disappoint.

Our second day in Matlock was so much fun. The majority of places were once again closed so we made the most of what was open. Matlock Bath is home to an "aquarium" (a room with a couple of fish) and a Victorian thermal spring. There is a Perishable Well and we for some reason paid £3 each to go and look at it and the strange objects it had turned to stone (RIP Barbie). There was also an old thermal pool with a number of insanely huge and hungry Koi Carp swimming around in it and, up the stairs from there; an oddly intriguing hologram gallery. Strange but entertaining none the less.

After our, urm, interesting time at the "aquarium" we headed into Matlock town. A friend informed me that I must must must go to Matlock Antiques and Collectables (thanks Laura) and she was very much correct (she's so smart). Three floors of pure bliss; collectables, antiques, furniture, clothing and more vintage buttons than a vintage button factory. The amount of doilies and crochet in there had me near hyperventilating at one point!

We spent almost two hours wandering around, exploring the boxes, baskets and shelves filled with hundreds of items. I genuinely fell in love with so many things. The amazing retro packaging and super old postcards that I discovered all around were well worth the visit alone. What a place.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Matlock and am very happy to add the adventures had during my time here to the (hopefully soon to grow) list of things I have pursued. Now, to get planning my next pursuit ...

Jade x

Ps. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to read my first post. The response has been brilliant and definitely bought a smile to my face. Y'all are awesome.