A weekend of nostalgia, that didn’t get off to the best of starts. Cancelled and delayed trains meant our planned early arrival in Leicester didn’t happen… but that was probably the only negative on what was a great weekend in the city I lived in for 3 years in the early 90s.

We still had time for a happy hour cocktail before heading up London Road towards the university… the section between the railway station was always the place to go to for food, especially the student lunch deals at most of the curry houses. The restaurants and pubs may have changed names, but there was still plenty on offer – spicy cumin beef for me.

And then it was a quick dash along University Road, past De Montfort Hall and along to campus. We were on our way to a gig at the O2 Academy – which is located at the Students’ Union on the Leicester University campus. It has definitely had a makeover in the last 30 years, and I don’t think the Nelson Mandela Bar is still there – but some features were still familiar.

There wasn’t time to explore campus until later – we were only just in time for the gig. The support band was just starting as we got into the venue – Mr T was very excited about seeing the Icicle Works. I had no idea what to expect – a bit like punk night with another Liverpool connection too – but I enjoyed their acoustic set, and could even see the stage. Definitely turning into a good night.

After a bit of an interval – it was time for the main event – Big Country. More reminiscing – somewhere I still have my copy of their greatest hits on cassette. I know I had that with me when I was a student in Leicester – and surely played it on my Walkman! This was actually the 40th anniversary tour of their album Steeltown – I’d actually forgotten we’d been to a leg of the 30th anniversary tour at the Grand in my home town of Clitheroe – but the greatest hits were all there too. We found a great spot just to the side of the stage – I could still see – and sang along and danced about for nearly 2 hours. So much for recovery week.

A fantastic gig – loved it, loved reminiscing.

But not done yet.

Afterwards, we had a walk around campus – lots of changes, but the Attenborough and Charles Wilson buildings were as I remembered. The maths building has had a rebrand – now the home of Informatics and the Doctoral College – but we still found it. I spent a lot of time in there!

And then it was back to our hotel – a great night for reminiscing. Student days in Leicester were good ones.

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50 for 50 #36: 50 posts for my 50th birthday to be posted before I’m 51.