Stockport Friday 12th Sep 08
Up for it were:
Yupmeister, Pedro, Picasso, Richee-Lionel, Granpop Bill, Keithee's up for it, Huge, DCeen, McCeen, Bolt from the blue (Downsize Dave?), Jacko, Graham Cork, and joining us for the first time, the elusive Jekyle – (Stephen Hurst).
A return visit to Stockport had dawned. For Keithee, Granpop Bill and Yup the trip started with Spitting Feathers at Wetherspoons in Stoke, where Granpop Bill confirmed that The Squarry club brewery was well on its way to fruition now that he’d purchased a home brew kit. This morning he had dropped his robust phone on the kitchen floor which he’d managed to re-assemble despite it splintering into a thousand pieces. There were one or two spare springs and screws, and the phone now only took incoming calls but he’d made a fair job of it. Somehow the prospect of assembling a full size brewery in his garage may prove just too difficult.
With dreams of the squarry brewery in tatters we met up with most of the rest of the clan at Stoke station and took up some remaining empty seats. Huge and Jacko arrived simultaneously at Stockport station and Keithee led the way down to the arches and the Crown Inn, where Jeck was found hyding in one of the snugs. Graham arrived and spotted him, having worked together previously at Stockport several years ago. What a small world.
Kelham Island’s Golden Eagle was on tap, as was Oakham’s Asylum, Copper Dragon’s Pippin and 1816, Exmoor Gold etc etc. In all, 12½ ales were available, numbered 1-12A. Kelham Island’s Conquistadore was recommended by Jacko. ‘Where gonorrhea and syphilis came from’, he confirmed. Luckily it had ran out before the next order was made.
Alternative pub destinations were suggested by Graham, Jekyle and the locals. It was difficult to comprehend the slurred suggestions, was it the Old Vic or Old Mick, and was it boarded up? Well, we didn’t bother in the end.
Instead we ventured to the Swan with 2 necks, slipping alongside the narrow bar area and into a comfy back room where the roof was raised especially for Granpop Bill. Unfortunately, it was an awful Robinsons outlet with their bitter and Unicorn; unless you like Robinsons of course. The pub did however have a friendly bunch of locals, one of whom attempted to suggest an itinery for us. Strangely it was almost exactly the same as we were doing anyway, except for the ginnel route to Underbank.
Next on our itinery was the Porter’s Railway which immediately entered the memory bank for future trips. Across the road was a Frankie and Benny’s, above which could be spotted Jekyles house, hyden in the hills on the horizon.
A fine range of ales including Floral Dance, Pitch Porter, Brewers Gold etc immediately jumped out as you entered the door. Stand out of the door with one of them and you were immediately liable to a £500 fine. ‘Be warned’, said Graham.
A pool table was immediately bagged by Pedro, Keithee and Picasso. Weirdly, everyone was a winner with Pedro taking second place. Bar billiards rules are very strange, but then so is Pedro.
At last, Richee appeared, having been assisted from the station down to the Railway Porter with the aid of the Yup Yup,
It was just a 5 minute stroll through town to the Indian, Sanjoys, passing a few ginnels and cash machines.
Dceen quickly retreated from a cash machine in fear of being caught on camera and appearing on this year’s calendar. But McCeen his Dads wallet wasn’t quick enough.
We don’t have starters generally but Jekyle started a theme which soon spread, much to the delight of Pedro. As we devoured the starters, Bolt described the processes involved in dating and how much time is wasted listening to bull**** before making any useful progress. As we listened intently, Jacko and Yup missed the main courses arriving. It was obvious though that they’d forgotten these 2 meals which tasted as though they had been quickly thrown together to make up for lost time. They weren’t worth waiting for unfortunately, and left a sour taste in the mouth. The collection for the bill ended up short yet again, causing confusion, ensued by a further period of confusion with Huge and Keithee hanging around at the Indian waiting for Jacko, who had already joined the rest at the station. As if we’d leave anyone behind!!
Luckily, Graham had only had ten pints and was sober enough to rescue them.
Regards
Yupmeister
(enjoy yer baltis)