Alsager                                Friday 23rd July 2010

12 were up for it:

Yupmeister, Mid Week Tone, Richee-Lionel, Keithee's up for it, JayCee, Dasher, Malc Jay, Craigee 50/50, DCeen, Bolt from the blue, Ali Gee and Triglett

An earlyish start beckoned at Wethers in Stoke to take advantage of the Thornbridge ale festival. Keithee reminisced, even before a pint, about the movements of an old children’s puppet called Tech Tupper. After several impressive dancing attempts to demonstrate, Ali G stopped him and suggested ‘Now imitate the puppet yer muppet’.

Surprise surprise, Wethers had every Thornbridge ale they produced barring Kipling which was labelled as coming soon.  Pity, it was the only one we wanted, but we made do, as you do.  Triglett rang to say he’d meet us in Alsager so we asked for his assistance in checking out the pubs by the station.  ‘Been there, done that, and they’re naff’, replied Triglett.  So we agreed to meet Triglett at The Mere.  Tony pointed out that there was a real mere behind the shops in Alsager. Wonder how the pub got its name?  DCeen arrived earlier than anticipated having shuffling his calendar.  It hadn’t taken him long to settle into his new role, or was it a pie.

We caught the 16.13 train, at just £2.10 each return, with a most friendly conductress on board to stamp our tickets. Within a few minutes we were heading up to the Mere to meet Triglet.  Craigee called to confirm he was waiting for Richee who had been flooded out, literally, with claims.

Weirdly, but unsurprisingly, the sun was out in Alsager and was beating down on us as we sat in the garden of the Mere.  Ali G nearly had to take his Billy Cotton jacket off.

We moved on to The Lodge, as we couldn’t take any more sun.  Now The Lodge had got a fine array of ales on. Mr Tahoohigh would have dreamt he was in Heaven, had he been out with us.  Dasher chanced a Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby with a dash, to the dismay of the barmaid.  The Thornbridge Citra was so clear you could see Dasher and Malc clearly devouring a pork pie between them, magnified through the glass.

Michael was able to join us as a late arrivee.  The numbers increased to 13 and Keithee had gained a lift home at the end of the evening.

The meals at the Indian Spice were excellent, as was the wine which soon disappeared as Keithee poured a gallon over what was previously a spotlessly clean tablecloth, whilst attempting to top Trig’s glass up.  At least he was trying to be helpful.

The return train was bang on time at 20.58 and we all lived happily ever after.

Yuppers

(enjoy yer baltis)