Fenland Branch Reports

PUBS, BEER & WALKS

June 2010 - Ruskington & North Ings Farm Museum

June's pub walk was a different experience in almost every way to our usual ramblings. To start with we didn't meet at a pub but at the Steam Museum at North Ings, run by our very own webmaster, Malcolm Phillips.

The walk itself led down the museum winding track, past fields to eventually join the Dorrington road.  After a brief stop for a photo call at the carved wooden "Dorrington Demons" statue, the trekkers took the footpath through fields of oil seed rape and eventually to Ruskington playing fields and village beck.

Our first stop was at the Shoulder of Mutton where Bombardier, John Smiths Cask, Wadworths 6X, and Tom Woods Festival of 66 (complete with picture of Bobby Moore with trophy) were on offer, with the 6X and 66 proving to be excellent and popular choices. Beers were supped outside in the sunny weather. On then to the Black Bull where XB & XXXB were dispensed with relish.

The return loop started along the beck then turned off through further fields and tracks where the dizzy heights of almost 56 feet above sea level were recorded by one member's technical equipment!

Back at the steam museum the BBQ, already lit, was stoked with burgers, bangers, chicken kebabs, lamb kebabs, chops etc. and the Fen folk set to for their picnics all washed down with Poachers Shy Talk and Monkey Hanger, with the sound of the steam organ with its 1,000 tunes in the background.

 Then came probably the best part of the outing with rides on the steam train. With Malcolm on the footplate (assisted on one run by an L driver/fireman!) around the circular track which took in views of assorted hedging, woods, ponds, tractors, wagons - in short a microcosm of natural and industrial history.

What a grand day out. Many thanks to Malcolm and Tim Hall and co. for allowing the Fenland folk to visit and being made so welcome. All agreed that another visit in the future was a must.