Twelve go on an Adventure to the South an account of a ride after Enid Blyton Friday 3 rd August 2018 Distance 37.5 miles Skidby - Swanland (photo call at the pond) - North Ferriby - Humber Bridge - The Tile Factory (Lunch) - South Ferriby (further refreshment at the Hope & Anchor if needed) return via Humber Bridge - Hessle - West Ella - Willerby - Skidby (coffee at the Sails Café?) participants: Dave x2, John, Steve, Chris x2, Bob, Martin, Helen, Trevor, Derek, Ian It s going to be a sunny day, said Dave excitedly as he sent out his email to the chums, we d better plan a trip to the south bank Billiant idea Dave said the others, as they gathered together outside the big grocer s shop in Beverley. Hang on a minute, said Dave as he gave out bicycle stickers to several of the group, I need to collect money in for your spanking new cycling shirts. Ok said the chaps as they handed over their money joyfully. Let s hope they fit the fuller figure, said John pulling in his tummy, and trying to look slim. Let s get going then said the big wheel enthusiastically, chocks away said one of the twelve in reply. So the intrepid twelve, (or was it thirteen? we can never be quite sure) set off on their big adventure to the South. Let s stop at Swanland someone said as they pedalled furiously down past Skidby Mill. Spiffing idea came the answer, as the lycra clad - cyclists seemed like a blur in the sunlight. Soon, the twelve (or thirteen) reached the pond and stopped for a well-earned drink of water. 1
Helen, (the only girl in the group) noticed a brave little moorhen strutting past in the mud. It scurried away as Chris walked by, and Martin pointed out that it couldn t be part of the duck family, because it didn t have webbed feet. Everyone agreed that every day is a school day! After a thirst quenching stop with lashings of water and juice, the twelve brave explorers set off again to cross the bridge. Chocks away said the wheelmeister. Except.. goodness me, what a disaster we had all forgotten Martin! he d been so busy getting his cycling gear on that he hadn t seen which way we went, so he followed Derek, but Derek was going in the opposite direction. What a to do!! Just then the other twelve (or was it eleven) were crossing the bridge. Let s have lots of coffee and tea at the tile place, they said excitedly. Great idea came the reply from all (except Martin), so they did. It was funny at the cafe with lots of banter and chat. Dave had lashings of ice cream, so much that they called him three scoops, and then Ian followed suit but was sensible and only had two scoops. 2
John and sailing Chris had a conversation about the subjunctive mood in French, and Chris and Dave started singing in French. One would say that it was a fun song. Then Martin arrived, and all of the chums listened eagerly to his story about how he had followed the wrong person, and got to the wrong place. Everyone thought he was very brave. Lets set off again to South Ferriby, suggested Dave. Chocks away! shouted everyone, and off they went The trip to South Ferriby was quite exciting, down a path, through a gate and along some tracks following the big river. 3
Eventually they came to the pub. On the way however, John and Steve found what looked like a camera on the floor. I ve lost my camera, complained Trevor at the pub, because he thought he had. But Steve was able to return the camera to Trevor, who was relieved Let s have some great food and lashings of beer, shouted the group Yes let s, they replied to themselves, so they did. The pub was called the Hope and Anchor, and was very nice. T Shirt Dave reflected on the cement works which was close by, and suggested that from a distance, it resembled Mont St Michel in France. I m not sure what he had been drinking! Some of the chaps went to investigate the lock, and then we set off back again. The journey home was quite uneventful. The twelve (or was it eleven?) followed the same tracks, and crossed the Bridge. Trevor chose the North path. 4
Eventually, they retraced their steps (or should I say tracks?) to Hessle, Willerby and Skidby. When John, Chris, Chris and Bob arrived at the Skidby cafe, they realised that they must be in front of the rest, so they paused. Chris and Bob went in for a drink, and John and Chris set off for the big Grocers shop again. It was a lovely day and I think the brave 12 (or was it 11?) had an absolutely spiffing time. The weather was nice, the banter was good, and all in all a great way to spend a Friday. What a happy, but tired group they were. Enid Blyton 5