Big Mac              17th November 2006  (The Raj - 40 Park Green, Tel 01625 500927)

Click Ronald for photos 

 

 

The Macc lads up for a Happy Meal at The Raj in Macclesfield were:

Yup, Jacko, Keithee, Tone, Bill, JayCee, DCeen, McCeen, Malc, Pedro, Nige, Beardee, Triglett, Mo, Richee, Bolt, Dasher, Craigee, Phone a friend, Scottee

 

 

Dead on the dot of 4pm the offices emptied and 11 Stokees spilled out onto the streets and across to the station to meet up with the rest of the clan.  Dasher had come up trumps in pre-purchasing several train tickets to save time but had failed to get a group discount.  Extra tuition will be needed from the previous self nominated transport manager Keithee for the next venture.

 

Pedro came sporting his curry uniform of biriani blouse with kurma khakis and a madras tie.  A splash or two of vindaloo would definitely go unnoticed.  JayCee was glad he was wearing a more subdued outfit as he spotted a news stand with the headlines ‘Perv Hunt’ and consequently kept a low profile as he slipped through the gate.

 

Also joining us at Stoke were DCeen, Triglett, Phone-a friend and Richee; and even McCeen had managed to bribe his boss and leave his office early to join us.  The Great Scottie joined the escape committee to the sounds of the Great Escape ringing out in the tunnel under the station. 

 

There was a 10 minute delay as Nige (noel) had predicted.  Just time for DCeen to swallow another of his 20 indigestion tablets he now takes to avoid a headache.  Jaycee continued to keep a low profile and hid in the shadows.

 

The trip was as smooth as silk and took less than 20 minutes.  Another 2 minutes and we were stood outside the first pub of the night, the Waters Green Tavern; which was shut.  No problem, the second was only just up the mountain.  Alas, the Castle Inn was also shut.  The research had been really successful.  There was no alternative but to continue trudging up the hill, and along the main pedestrian zone of Mill Street to find the next on the list, the Prince of Wales.  The pressure was off, the lights were on.  What a welcome sight. 

 

And what a welcome sight too were the fine array of ales.  Fury, Dragon Fire and Deuchers IPA were available in addition to the usual smoothees.  Dasher had a pint of real ale with a dash, much to the disgust of the barmaid, but he had a reputation to keep up.  Pedro, already served, and with jug in hand was asked ‘what’s that’, to which he gleefully replied ‘it’s mine’. 

 

The atmosphere was excellent with every seat in every nook taken.  That was until Yup and Bill made their way into a corner and several hard men gave up their seats and scurried off in fear.  Well done Bill.

 

Mo rang with some lame excuse that he’d got a flat tyre; a likely story.  The phone rang again and Jacko was relieved to make contact  but dismayed to hear we were settled on the opposite side of town to where he’d been dropped off by his beloved.

 

Signs around the pub displayed the fact that the pub was going to be knocked down to make way for development.  A website ‘www.savetheporters.blogspot.com’ had been created giving the latest news.  You’ll be pleased to hear that they heard on 22nd November that the pub is being saved.  YEAH YEAH AND THRICE YEAH.

 

6 o’clock and we moved back down to the Waters Green Tavern which we hoped would be open; and thankfully this time it was.  Not as full as the previous pub but a fine selection of ales including JHB was available.  A photo was taken as proof for Mr Tahoohigh.  The knowledgeable barman was astounding, pouring the ale before we even asked for it.  Hundreds of beer mats adorned the bar and JayCee smiled and pointed to a bit of black which he’d always fancied.

 

In the gents we groped around in the dark until McCeen slipped out his little flasher, and lit up the urinal wall.  What a relief that was.  Eventually someone put a penny in the meter and the lights came on.

 

Nige arrived but no-one noticed him for a while till he jumped onto a stool to check out the ‘banned’ list adorning the wall.  We weren’t on it just yet.

 

The Raj was only a 5 minute stroll away and despite my reservations after having had several odd phone calls with them, they had got our reservation and had prepared a long table for us.  Malc fancied a shagarama, but an 8 hour wait seemed out of the question.  We all fancied a curry anyway.

 

The food and service was good, but the wine tasting was even better.  ‘Do you want to suck it?’ Keithee exclaimed, after he poured the wine over the tablecloth, missing the glasses by at least a couple of inches.  Those bifocals definitely need a service.  At his second attempt he was chuffed to see he never drobbled a spot.  

 

A gigantic air conditioning unit situated in the top corner of a wall was pointed out, just as Pedro knocked Yup’s wine glass over to extend Keithee’s abstract artwork on the tablecloth.

 

Beardee was heard to say his meal was ‘really, really tasty’ and ‘it’s very nice I must admit’.  The famous old ‘I shonna come again youth’ proclamation from several moons ago was hopefully now just a distant memory.  Never say never again prompted Craigee to suggest ‘Never say never again – 007, Munich the return’. 

It’s got a definite ring to it and it seemed a definite possibility but maybe we should live and let die as the world is not enough.

 

Goldeneye Keithee, the ‘bill sorter outer’, admirably checked over the bill as usual, which worked out to around £18 a head, including the spilt wine.

 

The Lands End to John O’Groats walk was mentioned again by Pedro.  How long, I wonder before the anticipated ‘How are we going to get there?’ question rings out.  Life doesn’t get any better Keithee spouted ‘If you can laugh you can do it!!’  No-one knew what he was rambling on about, but it sounded about right.

 

Wetherspoons, across the way from the Indian beckoned for a quick one on the way back to the station.  2 minutes later we were on the platform and jumping on to the train for the return.

 

 

I’m Loving it

Yupmeister

(enjoy yer baltis)