The Arrowgroup

Day One: Saturday 22 June

And so the Arrow clan did assemble in the usual manner for the start of a trip, with the various members being picked up from their abodes one by one. Stuart had forgotten to bring any of his optical aids with him ie reading glass, sunglasses. Chris remarked that he'd forgotten his complete optical department. As is often the case, some breakfast was had at a McDonalds, this one in Mier, Stoke on Drugs. Chris remarks that after a full drink of coke at McD's, he will be needing a toilet stop shortly. Mike elaborates on his own position, as fuelled by steroids, he accumulates water and control can be difficult In the last 6 weeks he said he had only got as far as the end of his drive before he couldn’t hold it in….and pissed himself. Stuart followed up with his story of following through in a bucket seat, but we've heard that one before..

The Group duly arrived at their apartment in Chester at King's Mews in the centre of Chester which was very nice, spread over three floors. It was then out to get food suppliers before grabbing a coffee and settling down to some DSA before heading off in the evening at the various pubs Chester had to offer, including the Pied Bull, Coach House, Dublin Packet and Ye Old Custom House. It was in here that Mark is updating Mike on his performance in a recent Lovelace Theatre production. 'I played the part of Colonel Sheepdog' he says, but then before he could finish, Chris intervenes with '..who finds himself trapped around a wheelarch on the A60..' A good end to the first evening.

Day Two: Sunday 23 June

The Group were up early in search of somewhere to breakfast. This was found in the form of a rather poncy Cafe called the Gaunty Goat. It was not a place to inhabit again, the Group decided..

It was then on the road once more and a trip into Wales, to Mold, which was not so nice on a Sunday morning, then Denbigh which turned out to be a bit better, in that it at least had a castle to invetigate. A £4.20 entrance fee stops them going in, but they did get a good view of the gift shop.

Undaunted with the general disappointment of the area thus far, they headed to Rhyl, where time was spent in Arrow tradition in the Comer Cafe eating and whatnot. Then a walk along the prom and a bit of crazy golf livened up the afternoon somewhat. On the car journey back Stuart is struggling to defend himself against a barage of what he terms 'Fake News'. Mark has referred him to an incident in 1990 where he apparently said that Chris couldn’t have a Chicken Platter at £5.99. Stuart is aghast at the suggestion that he would dictate like that. The conversation then descends into a 'have a go at Stuart' and stories are invented so he can be accused of various misdemeaners.

Back at the house then and more DSA before once more venturing out to the city centre for food and drink. The Group abled back to the house later on for cheese and wine before bed.

Day Three: Monday 24 June

A better breakfast cafe was sought after yesterday's offering, and was found in the shaape of the Marmalade Cafe. Today was going to be a boat ride day so they headed down to the River Dee awaiting their launch. As they had some to kill before the trip set off they satin a bar/cafe nearby. Chris is feeling a little delicate in the lower colon after a spicy meal last night and a full glass of fruit juice this morning - "I'm feeling new seepage all the time" he says. "Did you say 'New Seekers'" asks Mark coming in to t he conversation. "Yes" says CC to placate, "I'd like to teach the world to clench….."

After all that banter the boat set off, a two hour ride up the Dee with superb views of riverbanks, pylons, the A55 and all manner of interesting wildlife. It made it all the way to Eaton Hall which had a replica iron Bridge. Very nice. Then it turned round and began the journey back. Boredom has set in. The group have developed a game of timing people using the toilets and betting on the outcome. Mark is in the toilet and a game is in full flow with all eyes on the stopwatch. Then suddenly the group are interupted by the guide coming round to explain about a series of illustrations that she was using during her talk. She does not get the attention of the group as they are too busy watching the clock which at the time takes on a much geater importance (Remember these men are aged 55-58) Another older lady walks out of the toilet and ends a really close game which has been won by the narrowest of margins. She just comes out and without even acknowledging the crowd walks back to her seat. Stuart had to state that the woman is just nonchalent.

After all that activity the Group lurched back home and DSA'd for a whle before heading out for the evening once more, to reflect on the day's events. One of the pubs they visited, the City Tavern, was so well air conditioned it was far warmer outside. All ended up noshing cheese and crackers at the end of the evening before bed. Talking of which, Mark has come up with a plan to avoid using the creaky stairs at night to go for a wee. He has found a washing up bowl in the cleaning cupboard which acts as his own'en-suite'.

Day Four: Tuesday 25 June

Another day means another trip to the Marmalade Café for breakfast, in order to fortify the Group for the day's events which was an exciting trip to Bala Lake. It wasn't JUST a lake tho. Oh no. There was.. a railway! What fun. Se they set off for Bala Lake and arrive at Bala Station, and hang around the 'station'. The train departs, passing through Llangower and arrives at Llanuwchllyn. There's time for a cup of tea & cake at the Station café before heading back in the rain to Bala. More high jinx though as the fun never stops for the group, with a visit to Llangollen.

They arrive at Llangollen Aqueduct (AKA the Pontcysylite Aqueduct) and the adventurous among them walk across the aqueduct. It's then time for tea at the Boat Café next to the visitor centre before arrive back in Chester for DSA

The last night begins with a visit to a place called Watergates. Mark has been desperate to go in this one. It is a deserted crypt. After meal we moved on to the Gin Palace known as The Liverpool Arms. Mark wanted to go in this one as well. An amusing comment is made when the Group are in the Red Lion and Mark asks the group for directions to the toilets. "Just go an ask them for a washing up bowl" chips in Chris. This author is not amused.. It was back to the house then to gobble up ther rest of the food before bed.

Day Five: Wednesday 26 June

It was the final day and so we said goodbye to Kings Mews and hightailed it out of Chester. The Group were not finished with their trip yet though an so they struck out for Liverpool. Well deserved McDonalds in Liverpool One for breakfast hit the spot after parking in an expensive Q Park underground car park in the centre. The Group then took a Hop On Hop Off bus over for a snack at the Fab Four Café. The guide (Sue) on the bus makes one fundamental error according to Stuart & Mic. Liverpool was never the second city behind London, she should have said Glasgow. Thereafter, every utterance mentioning Liverpool as being this, that, and the other is mercilessly mocked with the line Liverpool is the second "outside London". There of course had to be a ferry across the Mersey, naturally. I took us across to Seacombe Terminal for the Spaceport and Woodside Terminal for the U-Boat story about..well submarines would be the theme there.

The fun has to stop at some point and so the Group leave Liverpool for home, stopping for a last hurrah at Keele Services for a Subway snack. All in all then, a good trip, breaking a little from tradition by not being exactly by the coast. Perhaps the next year may provide us with more fun shenigans, which was to be in York.