World's smallest Bongo meet, Devil's Staircase

[Muzorewa]

Team Muz, DebbiePritch and Nevets are just back from the World’s smallest Bongo meet at the Devil’s Staircase in Staffordshire


Meet up at the Les Oakes architectural reclamation emporium in Cheadle....




Off to the Black Lion at Consall Forge on the Caldon Canal and the Churnet Valley Railway






There’s no road to the pub, you have to cross a level-crossing to get to it – could pose some awkward moments after you’ve had a skinfull of ale and an Inter-City 125 comes past


Enjoying a quiet drink


Up & down the Devil’s Staircase to Ipstones


Back to the Caldon Canal to see some narrowboat action....


....this boat was a tight squeeze....


....under the bridge....


....funnel lowered....


....”DUCK!!”


The weir on the canalised River Churnet






The limekilns at Consall Forge, dating from the early 19th century.

[dandemann8]

Ahhh, The Black Lion at Consall Forge a cracking little off track boozer, a good pint and top grub And as Muz say's the access isn't great but well worth a visit

[Muzorewa]

Ahhh, The Black Lion at Consall Forge a cracking little off track boozer, a good pint and top grub And as Muz say's the access isn't great but well worth a visit

The grub did indeed look good, there were some humongous butties being served. They do a decent pint of Black Hole as well

But - watch out if you stagger out of there after last orders, a train might be whizzing past the front door, and if you successfully navigate that, you might just fall into the canal

[friendeedebs]

Up & down the Devil’s Staircase to Ipstones

what's Ipstones?? Not had a chance to google yet I think you mean to 210 steps that made my ruddy legs ache, payback was it ??

Fantastic pics Muz and thank you Team Muz so much again for giving up your Saturday to take us to such a fantastic place it was a lovely afternoon
Debs

[Bob]

Looks great, love country pubs and canals.

[Muzorewa]

what's Ipstones?? Not had a chance to google yet I think you mean to 210 steps that made my ruddy legs ache, payback was it ??

Fantastic pics Muz and thank you Team Muz so much again for giving up your Saturday to take us to such a fantastic place it was a lovely afternoon
Debs

Ipstones was the village we almost ended up in, at the time I thought it was Consall but we were going the other way

Payback? - Indeed, Muz's revenge for the brickworks at Anglesey, although with more time to prepare, I could have sent you somewhere properly exhausting As it was, 15 minutes notice wasn't enough to put a "Debbie-Tour" together

[wise-child]

Small meets are good too.

Here's a glimpse of ours on Portsdown Hill.

That's Portsmouth you can just see in the background....





There is a pub just out of shot, and amazing views across the Solent, but we were more interested in comparing our Bongos...

[friendeedebs]

what's Ipstones?? Not had a chance to google yet I think you mean to 210 steps that made my ruddy legs ache, payback was it ??

Fantastic pics Muz and thank you Team Muz so much again for giving up your Saturday to take us to such a fantastic place it was a lovely afternoon
Debs

Ipstones was the village we almost ended up in, at the time I thought it was Consall but we were going the other way

Payback? - Indeed, Muz's revenge for the brickworks at Anglesey, although with more time to prepare, I could have sent you somewhere properly exhausting As it was, 15 minutes notice wasn't enough to put a "Debbie-Tour" together

Lol research Muz I'll give you 30 minutes notice next time we missed this http://www.marquis-of-granby.co.uk/history.htm

I shall await the next one, can't wait and if photobucket ever gets a grip I'll put some pics up

[friendeedebs]

After a quiet night at the very lovely Hales Hall





I was delighted to be offered a tour by Team Muz



Not long after another bongo arrived with part of Team Nevets



So off we went to meet up at Les Oakes



And what a place











We had a pizza shovelling demonstration



Spotted something for B*Witched



Then set off for Devils Bridge...........

[friendeedebs]

Are we there yet???




Keep up boys



Filled our pockets with conkers



And chilled by the waters edge



We saw some boats......tho I wished I had the setting on my camera to remove tourists







The Lime Kilns were cool





Then back to the bongos



Which incidentally, were legally parked



Back to dry our socks



Play



Raid the buffet of a very kind lady having a birthday



Meet Father Christmas



Who turned out to be a choccy cake thief



Then time for sleep after a busy day....



Thanks Team Muz and Nevets for a great day



Debs

[Muzorewa]

Very good Debs, I like that

By the way, it was Devil's Staircase. Devil's Bridge is in a couple of weeks, in a strange foreign land full of strange foreign people

[umbongocat]

Very good Debs, I like that

By the way, it was Devil's Staircase. Devil's Bridge is in a couple of weeks, in a strange foreign land full of strange foreign people

You calling me foreign

[Muzorewa]

Very good Debs, I like that

By the way, it was Devil's Staircase. Devil's Bridge is in a couple of weeks, in a strange foreign land full of strange foreign people

You calling me foreign

Dim, boyo

Google Translate to the rescue every time. I'm not for a moment suggesting you're mentally challenged, although regular participation on this forum can give that appearance

[umbongocat]

You calling me foreign

Dim, boyo

Google Translate to the rescue every time. I'm not for a moment suggesting you're mentally challenged, although regular participation on this forum can give that appearance [/quote]

But I am foreign, well half and definitely mentally challenged I'm Looking forward to Devil's Bridge meet and swimming in October ... told you I was mentally challenged

[friendeedebs]

Very good Debs, I like that

By the way, it was Devil's Staircase. Devil's Bridge is in a couple of weeks, in a strange foreign land full of strange foreign people

I'm sure I went via devil's bridge I've been doing far too much googling and bongoing and I'm getting my devil's mixed up