Rudyard near Leek

Captains Log 27th July 2012

Up for it were:

RegRob, Keithee, Granpop Bill, Jaycee, Yup, Mr Tahoohigh, Pedro, Richee, Craigee and Scottee. Mike Scott also turned up to join us at the Lake for our maiden voyage.

Contrary to common belief the Olympics opened with a boat race across Rudyard lake !! There were a few empty seats as several jumped ship, despite there being no ticket allocation problems. The media and press were obviously to blame and inquiries would be made following the event.

Rosevilles supplied us with an immaculate 8 seater minibus for both journeys, and we arrived on the dot of 4pm at the Activity Centre at Rudyard Lake, where an unexpected, but very welcome, Mike Scott had turned up to join us.

Jaycee admitted to have never been to Rudyard Lake before in his life; but that was probably because he’s always working.

Ray’s assistant greeted us saying it had been pretty choppy out on the lake today, and that Ray, the Chairman of the Rudyard Lake Trust, was out on the lake gathering a few rowing boats together. ‘Hope they’re not for us?’, echoed the response.

Thankfully not !! 'Honey', originally a Captains Cutter Launch serving on the HMS Obdurate Destroyer, was moored ready to take us out on our historic voyage around the lake. Since its relaunch onto the lake in 2007, internal lights for evening trips and curtains to avoid the spray from the bow waves had also been fitted.

Ray and his assistant were both wearing buoyancy aids. ‘Aren’t we missing something?’ asked Scottee. ‘Don’t worry’, replied Ray, ‘if we start to sink there are some spare ones in a bag under the front seat and we’ll jump out to fetch a rescue boat for you’. Scottee reached for his can of beer and supped away. If he was going to drown at least he’d drown happy!

Ray amused us with stories from his past and a history of the development of the buildings around the shore line. ‘Recently’, he said, ‘Edwina Curry almost bought a house with a hot tub which would have been on view from the lake. I was so pleased she didn't buy it as it would have spoiled my bacon and eggs on a Sunday morning!’

Down on one knee he described how he managed to get his own fishing rod and reel when he was a young lad and passed his keepsake around for all to see.

As we approached the journey’s end Ray explained that the lake was deficient in trout but that he knew where bream could be spotted amongst the slime deep in the water if we looked closely enough.

Scottee looked overboard staring into the depths of the lake, falling hook, line and sinker as Ray suddenly bellowed out that he’d caught one and splattered him with water.

After saying our goodbyes we set off down and alongside the steam railway track back to Leek with RegRob and Keithee who were collecting their car from the little Victorian railway station car park on route.

Craigee, in no need of exercise, hitched a lift whilst the rest of us continued on for a couple of miles into Leek.

We had a list of 5 pubs to try, but with only enough time for 2 we opted for the adjacent Titanic and Joules pubs in Derby Street, The Roebuck and The Cock Inn respectively. The Den Engel, Wilkes Head and Benk’s would have to wait their turn.

We sat in the back yard of the Roebuck in the shadow of the adjacent church. It was only right that we’d chosen the Titanic pub to call into first following our epic voyage around Rudyard Lake.

Golden Fox, a close relation to Jaycee’s Fox’s Nob, was on tap but it had no ‘after-taste’ according to Joseph. The aptly named Steerage kept some of us on course until it ran out and Yuppy gave the signal to move on, urging Keithee to quickly down the rest of his drink. Before reaching the front door the beer was back on and so we returned to the back yard where Craigee happily sat with a White Star.

RegRob pointed out that the beers were slightly cloudy, in particular Scottee’s. ‘It tastes alright’, Scottee said, and handed it round to everyone for a taste until it’d all gone. For some unknown reason, prostate tests then came up in the conversation. RegRob confirmed he’d had a couple of tests carried out by women, proving that every cloud has a silver lining.

We slipped across the road to the Cock Inn, where a couple of large platters of sausage rolls had been put on the bar for customers. They didn’t see the light of day as every crumb was devoured before we’d even ordered any beer. ‘We will be baking some with black pudding filling shortly’, said the barman, and our eyes lit up, to the dismay of the rest of the customers around the bar.

Again we found the back yard, and sat in the sunshine as we so often do on such occasions. ‘Jaipur’ was the guest beer which went down swiftly and effortlessly until the remnants of a platter of sausage rolls was brought out to us. Must have been them greedy ones in the bar who got there first !!

We were 5 minutes away from the Quarma Restaurant www.the-qarma.com in Cross Street but had to pass by the controversial roadworks to remove the old monument, instigated by Jaycee of the County Wounty Wollers. He denied all involvement of course, even under gripping torture off Richee.

The Quarma wasn’t situated in the most salubrious area of Leek and there were one or two disbelieving comments as we approached it. Inside however, moods changed as the impressive interior surprised everyone and we were led to a seating area to peruse the extensive menu by very polite waiters.

We discussed the disappointment of the dwindling attendance coming about within a week or so of the event. A forfeit should be imposed perhaps or maybe they should walk the plank !! Scottee, topping up his wine glass to the brim, was in full agreement and added that preference should always be given to the regulars, himself especially, before he set off to be picked up by his girlfriend who happened to be somewhere in Leek.

Jaycee announced his intention of organising a curry do next February to celebrate his 60th. All in favour say ‘Aye’.

The final bill was miraculously £20 including a tip. Excellent value and a restaurant that could be highly recommended. No marks were awarded on the night although a 9 out of 10 would be quite near the mark.

Many thanks and the gold medal go to Ray for arranging the trip and for keeping us amused with some of his boyhood tales and history of the lake. Much appreciated. For anyone needing more information on the Lake and the various activities on offer check out this link www.rudyardlake.com

Cheers

Yuppers

(enjoy yer bream)