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Hi Everybody,

The march walk is a circular walk from Aston in Makerfield, along lanes, footpaths, canal towpath & through part of the Sankey Valley Park back to Ashton in Makerfield(8.6 miles basically flat walk).The station at Bryn is about a mile from the start & finish of the walk,so you are looking at around 11 miles in total..

Please meet at Manchester Victoria at 10.05am to get the 10.26am train to Wigan where we change for connection to Bryn.

The return train from Bryn will be at 19.52pm via Wigan to Victoria arriving 20.51pm.

There are various earlier or later trains if required.

A wayfarer ticket will cover the journey to Bryn although as usual codgers can make their own arrangements depending on the various passes they have.

Please confirm your availability asap.

Cheers
Robert

Roy Keano meets Steve the Codger.

10th November 2017

Huddersfield

Present: Syd Bennett, Dave Burrows, Steve Carey, Dave Dalton, Andy Fildes, Steve Goff, Trevor Heywood, Robert Holmes, Peter Holmes, Larry Johnson, Kevin Jordan, Alan Larsen, Keith Mayoh, Kevin McDonough, Mark Nutter, Noel O’Toole, Bob Rial, Dave Whittle, Mike Whittle, Mike Worthington


Today’s tour of Huddersfield’s finest hostelries attracted a twenty strong assembly, testament indeed to this erstwhile Yorkshire textile town’s fabled drinking establishments. Initially, upon our arrival at Huddersfield’s station, the tea-drinking triumvirate was conspicuous by its absence. It had elected to participate in a short walk in the vicinity of Huddersfield prior to rejoining the main group later in the afternoon.

Following a short walk from the station, we soon arrived at The Corner, this being the first of six licensed premises to be visited during the day. The remaining five being: Rat and Ratchet, The Grove Inn, The Slubbers Arms, The Magic Rock Tap and The Sportsman.

The weather had begun with bright sunshine and blue skies but as we strolled along a section of canal between hostelries, rain showers made their presence felt. Prior, to the start of our stroll along the canal, Kevin Maximus decided that it would be an opportune moment to ask us to bend our ears and savour his dulcet tones emanating from his reprise of the famous Yorkshire ditty: “The Recalcitrant Cow” *:

“In Huddersfield in Huddersfield

There was a cow that wouldn't yield

The reason that she wouldn't yield

She didn't like her udders feeled”

Excepting his questionable choice of musical key that he chose in which to sing his ‘Ode to Codgers’, it was generally on the whole, well received.

Our grateful thanks to Alan for his production of an insightful ale trail.



*Of unknown origin

O.C.O.T. Minutes

13th October 2017

Wilmslow

Present: Dave Bates, Robert Brown, Steve Carey, Dave Dalton, John Farnell, Andy Fildes, Steve Goff, John Guest, Adi Hammond, Trevor Heywood, Robert Holmes, Larry Johnson, Kevin Jordan, Colin Larsen, Kevin McDonough, Mark Nutter, Noel O’Toole, Bob Rial, Elsa Sawczuk, Steve Sawczuk, Neil,Shortland, Dave Whittle, Mike Worthington


We had scarcely begun our Cheshire circular trek as we made our way from Wilmslow station when the heavens suddenly opened and left everybody completely unprepared and scrambling for their waterproof wear. Earlier, our Wilmslow station departure had been delayed for around fifteen to thirty minutes by the inexplicable absence of our leader for the day, Robert. He eventually arrived on the platform on the far side of the station, which is designated primarily for services to the airport, accompanied by Dave Bates. Immediately upon his arrival, he was already probably harbouring instant regrets for his late arrival when later, he knew full well it would be the devil’s own job to attempt to dislodge errant members from the next hostelry who may be inclined to overstay their welcome.

It was because of unrelenting rain during the previous weeks that had led Robert to redesign the walk today to allow for saturated fields, which we would have had to endure had we persisted with the inclusion of the villages of Mobberley and Knutsford. Today’s route would lead us from Wilmslow and take us through The Carrs and include a walk between Morley Green and Knolls Green.

We took the opportunity of an early afternoon break at the Bird In The Hand, located in Knoll Green - a Samuel Smith’s abode. The ambient outside temperature today was forecast at around 18C, which undoubtedly explained why sheens of perspiration appeared on our faces as we entered the premises to be greeted, inexplicably, by at least three roaring log fires that had been lit in each room. For those of us whose body physiologies were completely unable to endure the oppressive environment, we beat a hasty retreat to the seating area outside the premises. The remainder of us sought sanctuary from a raised level room where the heat was surprisingly apparently unable to convect itself. Shortly after those who had seated themselves in the raised room, they observed a long table along which twenty or so senior gentlemen were seated prompting comments from our group as to what the social occasion may have been for the seated group. We learned shortly afterwards that its raison d'être for the occasion was a gathering of work retirees.

Prior to our visit to the Bird, we’d had a brief sandwich break. After around a fifteen to twenty minute interval, several members began to volubly level complaints towards the direction of the leadership regarding the brevity of the lunch break. It was, apparently, not an isolated incident. Over the preceding months, the lunch break duration has been evolving into something akin to a running sore. One member has been specifically affected by the issue and others have from time to time: in particular, those members who have developed a penchant for processed canned fish whereby the cans’ manufacturers have possibly allowed a design flaw to emerge in the cans’ ring pull release. It has been observed that the ring has, with alarming regularity, been liable to suddenly snap off the can without warning leaving the hungry diner in something of a quandary as to how then to penetrate the can’s fishy contents in the brief time allotted for the lunch break. Perhaps it is an issue that is worthy of further consideration in the more formal surroundings of the annual general meeting?

Following time to allow for the consumption of two pints we left the sub tropical climate of the Bird In The Hand to continue our final leg of the walk along Moss Lane and Lindow Common before returning to Wilmslow town centre.

Shortly after our arrival in Wilmslow, a schism immediately fractured the group into three parties: those electing to make their way to the station for the return journey to Manchester, those choosing the Coach and Four, a Hyde’s hostelry and the remainder choosing the Old Dancer, a craft beer establishment. Later, several members also paid a visit to the Brewhouse and Kitchen - a pub and microbrewery.

Some members visited the local fish and chip shop, Jackson’s, to dine inside or take away, whilst others chose to eat in the hostelries.

All members extended their sympathies to John Nelson on learning that he has recently been afflicted by a bout of gout. The latest news is that he’s making good progress towards his recovery.

A big thank you was extended to Robert from the group for his sterling dedication to the production of today’s walk.

Hi Dave,Please can you forward to codgers,thank you.

Hi Everybody,

The October walk will take place on Friday 13th October 2017- It will be an easy 10 mile linear walk across attractive(& mostly flat) countryside from Knutsford to Mobberley Village then crosses the main Knutsford Road & meanders across fields through part of Great Warford then on via Lindow to Wilmslow where we spend the evening.

Please meet at Piccadilly at 10.00am to get the 10.17am train going via Stockport(arr 10.26am depart 10.30am where I will board the train) to arrive at Knutsford at 11.01am.

The return train will be from Wilmslow- there are lots of trains at regular intervals back to Manchester Piccadilly mainly via Stockport although there is an hourly train via the Airport if required.

As we are using two different train lines the best ticket option is a Wayfarer ticket(adults £13 or concessionary £8) which covers both destinations,although as usual it is recommended that each individual manages his/her own ticketing requirements, tailored to each individual's needs.

Please confirm your availability asap.

Cheers
Robert