11/06/22 - Two weekends of searching for Company - Summersesh and Rambling from Bidford-on-Avon

Distance - 10 Miles

Geocaches - 0 (banned)

A couple of weekends of attempting to find company with my fellow man. I cannot be isolated when it comes to retirement. I'll get some practice in, whilst I suffer the death throes of a salaried man.

Last weekend, I pushed myself well out of my comfort zone by heading to the Beer O'Clock Podcast Summersesh. Not easy walking into a room full of strangers. My plan, put into perfect execution, was to hang around the bar. All other punters would have to come up to me at some point.  Most fellow boozers were on Twitter. So I had conversation items lined up. Although a stranger's reaction to questions on how their Avanti Train Journey had been did make me look like the stalking weirdo I surely am.

By the third pint, I didn't care and neither did they. Our podcasts hosts called for a bit of hush for a speech.  After 10 years, they are closing the podcast down.

How fecking typical.  I join a group.  The group instantly folds.

Unperturbed by this setback, I try again, this time with Mrs M.  We join a walking group for a ramble.  But only if I promise not to hold up the group by geocaching. Rather hard to walk past several GZ, without diving into a bush.

The walk was one that I have completed before - along the Avon from Bidford. Into the Shakespearean villages of Barton, Wellford and Dorsington. Our walk leader had tried to make the walk themed around the poet Felix Dennis.  No, I've never heard of him either. We found his house. Patience within the group was tested when we failed to find Felix themed sculptures.

Spot Mappiman, amongst his new friends

River Avon on the way to Barton

Felix Dennis Gaff

Post Walk Refreshment - Landlord at the Cottage of Content

What did I learn?

• The sweet walk leader worried about everything.  She's not responsible for the state of the paths or other peoples enjoyment.  But she constantly apologised for both
• Don't get involved in direction finding.  
• Half a dozen people with GPS technology is only going to work if we all know what route we are meant to be on.
• I could have geocached without holding anyone up.
• Double estimations on likely duration.  This was an all day thing.
• Sausage dogs can walk 10 miles.
• And so can French Bulldogs.
• The ones that moaned the most gave the walk leader the biggest goodbye hugs
• 25% of women will wild wee.  10% will announce it to all and sundry.
• The post walk pint was a bigger joy with a big group, in a lovely beer garden
• But next time, beat the coffee drinkers to the bar
• We loved it.  And will be back again.
• I may even join the Ramblers
• Although Mrs M has warned me that they are rigid rule keepers and I wouldn't like it
• But she never expected me to go through with my beer influencer meet up