Audley 26th Feb 2010      (and   Stone 26th March)

 

13 were up for it after Spikelet had to drop out at the last minute with over indulgence, and Pedro had gone to Amazon to buy a book, not realising he could do it on the internet.

 

Yupmeister, Mid Week Tone, Richee-Lionel, Granpop Bill, Keithee's up for it, JayCee, Huge, Dasher, Malc Jay, Craigee 50/50, DCeen, McCeen and Matt Silver Bear.

 

 

Yet again Service 34 from stand 4 provided us with our transport to Audley starting at 6.11pm.  Malc Jay and Granpop Bill jumped aboard with their bus passes and Richee settled down with a large yellow pole between his legs but couldn’t be swayed to provide a pole dance for us.  Keithee no mates sat behind us on his own.  JayCee got his blueberry out (oooh) to check his availability for the Stone trip next month and declared he would have to give it a miss, as he was up Liverpool with his work comrades. 

 

The driver must have been given tips by Ronnie, tricking us at every turn.  At one point he headed up to Macdonalds at Bradwell before realising his error and doing a u-turn.  It was giving Keithee indigestion, and having run out of Rennies, Jaycee came to his aid.

 

We missed the Plough out this year to give us time to visit the beer festival at Audley football club after the Black Swan.  The mucky duck’s ales were on top form and it was touch and go whether to stay or to leave.  The Inferno was beautiful although Dasher ordered a Rucking Mole; but very carefully I must add.  Discussions moved to possible trips abroad with the New York trip raising it’s head again and again. Perhaps we should do it one day ???  Still debating whether to leave or not, we agreed ‘Just another one then’, before we dragged ourselves away and headed to the festival.

 

The festival is not the largest although there is room outside if you can stand the English winter temperatures.  It makes up for it however with an excellent selection of ales and a great crowd of friendly folk.  ‘There were even a couple of places to hang your coats up’, declared one of the distracted boggle-eyed member of our group, mentioning no names.  ‘Ah, I see what you mean …...’

 

Malc Jay spotted the pork pies and graciously sliced and shared it with Yup and Mid Week Tone, whilst other pigs devoured whole pies.  There were however plenty to go round as Ali Gee wasn’t with us, as he was on a Tenerife beach bathing in his thongs.

 

Personally, I thought the Limestone Brewery’s Einstein was on superb form and it was much appreciated, along with the hospitality of the club.  Anticipation of supping more at the planned brewery visit next month came to mind.

 

Our table at the Royal Balti was booked for 9pm so with a short detour to the offie we armed ourselves with wine and entered promptly.  JayCee and Midweek Tone contemplated sharing a bottle of Jamesons!

 

The appreciated mischievous waiter was up to his usual tricks and was on form as usual as was the food and service.  I don’t recollect getting left behind this time, but there were a few bad heads the following morning, probably due to too many poppodoms.

 

Thanks to Kelvin and the crew at the 9th Football beer festival for making it yet again another superb doo.  We look forward to returning again next year.

 

Regards

Yuppers

(enjoy yer handis)

 

Very sadly, the following month my mum-in-law passed away and I obviously didn’t attend the Stone trip and Al-Shafiqs on 26th March. Arrangements had however been previously made, and the remaining squarrites, left in the reliable hands of Matty Sox, appearing for the first time, continued their trip to Stone with an 8 minute train ride from Stoke starting at 15:54 for £1.70.

 

I heard there was only ‘Cobblestone’ on at the brewery and the tour took 2½ hours with only 2 pints to show for it.  The clan almost turned up at the wrong Indian and wish they had as the feedback wasn’t the best.  www.into-stone.co.uk/dirtemps/display2.php3?id=8  Scottee turned up unannounced and declared himself broke when the bill arrived at the Indian. Luckily he’d only drank 12 bottles of wine and he’s got exceptionally good friends.  The bus at 23:11 didn’t turn up due to a road accident. Mr Tahoohigh rang home and arranged for a lift from the station, but specified the wrong station. 

 

‘Stone the crows’ chaps.