It was just another 5 minutes stroll up to the brightly illuminated Star, which turned out to be exceedingly busy with standing room only. Standing near the rear exit Richee took great delight in directing everyone to the gents.
The time passed quickly and after another 5 minutes stroll we hit the Indian; Peaches. It was also extremely busy and they’d squeezed us all onto one table like sardines, with Bill at one end, and Rob and Mark Stefan forced into the other end.
We had previously preordered the mains which gave us a start on the adjacent tables. While the poppadoms were being served we ordered the nans and rices. Cobras were dished out, having been delivered by Yup and Tony only a couple of nights before. There was only one hiccup with the food; Pedro’s Tarka Dhall was sent back as it was way below standard.
As the table was cleared, bottles of Jameson’s and Sambucca appeared for a couple of toasts.
The time passed quickly and after another 5 minutes stroll we hit the Indian; Peaches. It was also extremely busy and they’d squeezed us all onto one table like sardines, with Bill at one end, and Rob and Mark Stefan forced into the other end.
We had previously preordered the mains which gave us a start on the adjacent tables. While the poppadoms were being served we ordered the nans and rices. Cobras were dished out, having been delivered by Yup and Tony only a couple of nights before. There was only one hiccup with the food; Pedro’s Tarka Dhall was sent back as it was way below standard.
As the table was cleared, bottles of Jameson’s and Sambucca appeared for a couple of toasts.
Mystery do - 2nd Dec 2022
There were 27 up for this years Mystery do-
Yup, Malc, Bolt, DC, Brolly, Stubby, Turk, Brian, Handy, Bill, Keithee, Tony, Nails, Darkside , Huge, Mothy, JC, Jacko, Goosey, Pedro, Richee, Craigee, Sid, Where’s Brolly, Sean, Rob and Mark Stefan.
Just one week after undergoing a bladder and prostate operation a very apprehensive Yup turned up whilst keeping an eye on the toilets throughout. Anticipating visits every 30 minutes, miraculously he didn’t feel the urge all night. Maybe more squarry dos should be on prescription?!!
We met up at Bod at Stoke Station; like last year. Sadly their usual offerings weren’t available on tap with the exception of Plum Porter.
Yup welcomed everyone to this year’s mystery do and handed out train tickets to the mystery destination with an instruction not to open until given the go ahead. Granpop Bill obviously hadn’t heard and swiftly opened his! The main letters, PKG, indicated the destination. ‘Maybe we’re going to Peking’, suggested Nails.
The train to Penkridge, (a village overlooked by us in recent years), was bang on time with Sean, Mark and Rob jumping on board at Stafford.
Today’s mystery was originally intended to be on a canal boat, but after trying it out for an afternoon tea it was deemed too expensive. Not only that but cruising in the dark on a winters night would be futile. Still, the afternoon tea with Georgies Canal Cruising company comes highly recommended.
It was thankfully just a 5 minute stroll to the first pub. The Horse and Jockey. This pub was taken over earlier this year and has been totally gutted and refurbished. They now have a great selection of changing ales and their food is plentiful as demonstrated with the fine spread that was put out for us. Who needs a curry!
It had been a tiring couple of days for Nails who had just returned from South America.
The jet lag would take a while to recover from ......
For a change we had time on our sides allowing us to slowly saunter back to the station.
Eventually we all got home safely despite some buses running late. Yup’s bladder had behaved itself until he got home!! What a relief!
Thanks for the great feedback. It always makes it all worthwhile.
A big shout out to Anytime Tone too for his assistance throughout and in particular for taking control of the Squarr-e-card and not losing it.
Cheers
Yuppers
Eventually we all got home safely despite some buses running late. Yup’s bladder had behaved itself until he got home!! What a relief!
Thanks for the great feedback. It always makes it all worthwhile.
A big shout out to Anytime Tone too for his assistance throughout and in particular for taking control of the Squarr-e-card and not losing it.
Cheers
Yuppers