Here you can see the report from our latest walk and also some of the pictures that were taken.

Unless otherwise stated, report by Paul Coates and pictures by Keith Bilton.

Thursday 18th. December 2008

Greenwick Dale, Frendale, Lane, Millington Springs, Minster Way, Warren Farm, Warrendale Plantation, Lane, Millington (The Gait Inn)(6 miles)

Cloudy with strong wind in the valleys.

Chris, Nathan, Paul, Jacko, Col, Paul Craggs, Keith, John, Dudley, Alf, Ray, Jack, Stu, Paul 'Sherlock' Holmes, Bob.

Driven by John Kendrew

Christmas already! It only seems like 12 months ago since we were last on our way to Millington for our annual Christmas shindig. And like last year the East Hull crew arrived at our appointed meeting place at Tesco's in two taxis while the West and North Hull mob were picked up by John in a sumptuous East Yorkshire coach. It even had tables and working heaters, a luxury for us.

The only hiccup occurred after John had set off from the depot with the coach. Not many yards down the road the emergency door buzzer decided to come on. So he had to return to the depot to allow the fitter to hit things with a hammer until the buzzing ceased.

Early morning start

And so by 8 o'clock everyone was aboard the coach and ready for the off, apart from Dudley. John the driver informed the gathered group that this particular vehicle was the official Hull FC team coach. On hearing this news Cuddly 'red & white till I die' Dudley almost had to be forcibly restrained from getting back off. Only the thought of someone else eating his Christmas dinner stopped this happening.

We've been having our 'Christmas do' at The Gait Inn at Millington for 20 years now and for 19 of those years we have done the same walk from Towthorpe Corner to Millington. So on our 20th year, just to prove we are not creatures of habit, we changed the walk to start at the head of Greenwick Dale near Huggate.

Dudley decides to join us

John showed just how much of a professional driver he is by dropping us off in the mud at the side of the road. Meanwhile Keith busied himself with getting his camera equipment ready for the traditional group shot. For once everything seemed to go to plan, no tripod malfunctions, all batteries fully charged, lens cap safely in his pocket. He even risked standing with the rest of the assembled multitude while using his remote to take the picture. He then decided to take a second shot claiming that Craggsy hadn’t been in the place. We reckon Keith was just showing off now.

The path at the bottom of Greenwick Dale was very icy and as Paul shouted a warning to the back markers, Stu said "don't tell 'em, let them find out for themselves". Of course at this point it was a cast iron guarantee that Stu would then slip on the ice and nearly end up on his arse. Stu's flailing about was a far better warning to the others of the slippery conditions than anyone shouting.

Colin with his mates

We stopped for a break just beyond Millington Springs. Ace twitchers Jack & Nathan indentified a distant speck in the sky as a Rough Legged Buzzard. Who else among us would know any different. It was certainly too far away for a decent picture to be taken. So if a picture of a buzzard, with or without rough legs, appears alongside this text then you have to assume it's what's known as a 'library shot'. And by that I don't mean a picture taken of a buzzard posing outside Hull Central Library either.

Buzzard posing outside of Hull Central Library

From Warren Farm there is a track that goes straight down into Millington village. Bob had earlier suggested using this track but as it was only 11 o'clock we decided to take the longer route via the Minster Way which added about 2 miles on. And anyway we didn't want the shame of arriving at the pub before opening time.

We arrived at The Gait Inn just a few minutes after John had arrived with the coach along with Jacko. Also there was Alf who was sporting his usual festive headgear.

Dudley showing Alf a filthy text joke

As we all got changed out of our walking gear and into our party frocks we were entertained by Keith who, in keeping with tradition, claimed that he'd left his shoes back at home. Of course he'd done no such thing. He'd already taken them out of his bag, and then instantly forgot where he'd put them. It's his age.

We were soon ensconced in the pub and enjoying our Christmas dinner. Keith attempted to hijack Bob's soup, forgetting he'd ordered garlic mushroom starters. There seems to be a pattern forming here. Is this the man we trust with our wage negotiations!

Like the Queen at Christmas, Bob gave his traditional end of year speech followed by a report from Treasurer Craggs on the delicate art of being careful with our money. Paul also gave a vote of thanks to Keith for all the hard work he puts into the FAC website and Journal, at least I think that's what he told me to say.

The annual darts competition was won by Dudley after a hard fought final with Keith. Keith claimed he didn't really want to win it because it involves getting the trophy engraved. Last years winner, Dave Bodicott, was absent today so the trophy was awarded to Dudley by the esteemed landlord Stuart. The Barry Gardiner tankard was won by John.

Who's hiding a secret?

By 6 0'clock we were ready for the off, next stop the chippy at Pocklington. Meanwhile Jacko produced a bottle of whiskey which soon had the discerning drinkers searching for anything that could hold a wee dram. On arriving at Pocklington only Paul, Col & Alf seemed interested in partaking of a fish supper. This hardy and/or greedy trio were soon joined by Jacko & Chris. Rather unwisely Jacko had left his bottle of whiskey on the coach without an armed guard.

Mediocre 'darts chuckers'

When he later got back on the coach he discovered that most of the whiskey had mysteriously evaporated. Sat nearby wearing big grins, glazed expressions and loud voices, were Bob, Sherlock & Nathan. Were these two events connected? They certainly acted as if their minds and had been taken over by spirits, of the liquid variety at least. However pangs of guilt must have overcome Bob as he attempted to pour some of the whiskey back into the bottle, but only succeeded in pouring it onto his trousers. We reckon that once he'd got home he'd be wringing his trousers out in an attempt to extract the last drop of drink before Pat found out. Bad boy Bobbo!

John presents the 'Barry Gardiner Trophy'	Stuart Stephenson (Landlord of The Gait Inn) presents the winner's trophy to Dudley

As the coach wended it's way around Hull dropping off the revellers it was noted that whiskey devil Nathan was asleep at the back of the bus. As Keith has seemingly cut back on his drinking and privet hedge surfing exploits in recent times, then it appears that Nathan maybe making a bid for Keith's crown. Only time and hangovers will tell.

I like Christmas, I do, me.

For the first time in 20 years, if not more, Paul & Chris were amazed not to be last off the bus. It appears John decided to alter the age old custom of dropping off the East Hull lads last, either that or he wasn't sure where he was going. We like John driving, we do, us.

Everybody enjoyed the meal, the thrilling darts competition was accompanied by much laughter and derision, Jack refrained from upsetting the landlord, Chancellor Craggs pulled the wool over our eyes yet again, Keith managed to get home without incurring a lifetime ban from his local fish & chip shop, no one was ill and only Nathan fell into a whiskey induced sleep. So all in all a good day. And finally many thanks to John our driver. We've already volunteered him for next year.