Our Social Secretary East, Roger Webster, organised a jolly day out for 23 of us on Saturday 12 November visiting three excellent pubs in Bodmin, Edmonton and Wadebridge by using the No11 bus route.

The first pub was the Hole in the Wall at Bodmin where Steve the landlord had agreed to open early at 10.30 and had put on some extra beers for us. Yummy! The idea was that, apart from those few lucky souls who lived with walking distance, members could arrive by train at Bodmin Parkway station and get the 10.15 bus up to town, arriving at opening time.

For those coming from the east, including Liskeard and Plymouth, this went to plan. For us poor souls coming from the west, we had a problem. The railway west of St Austell was closed for the day for engineering work. So we had to get to St Austell by rail replacement bus before getting a train to Bodmin Parkway. The double-decker from Penzance to St Austell was packed and when we got to Parkway we knew that we would miss the 10.15 bus but the next one didn't turn up at all! So we westerners waited an hour for the next bus and arrived at the Hole at 11.50. The pub's Gate Guardian (lion) was not amused.

The latecomers did manage a pint and had the choice of Wadworth Swordfish, Dartmoor Jail Ale, Marston's Draught Bass, Sharp's Atlantic, Ossett Silver King and Old Mill Red Goose on handpump, plus Thatcher's Stan's Cheddar Valley cider in box.

The record for determination to get to the social goes to Dave who took about five hours to get to Bodmin from St Just via three buses, a train and a 1-hour wait admiring Bodmin Road station!.

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After an enjoyable period of conviviality, it was time to get the bus to Edmonton, or at least to the Royal County Show Ground before a brisk walk to Edmonton.

At the Quarryman, we had the choice of Firebrand Bootleg Billy, Padstow Padstow May Day and Otter Bitter on handpump.

Here we enjoyed an excellent lunch and plenty of time to socialise with good beer.

The time came to make our way back to the bus stop on the A39 and take the No11 into the ancient port of Wadebridge.

Then it was over the bridge on wool up the hill to the Ship.

Formerly a pub tied to Devenish Brewery of Redruth (which closed in 2004), the Ship is now a Free House. For our delectation on the day were Sharp's Sea Fury (yes, I know, Special), Sharp's Atlantic and Wychwood Hobgoblin Gold on handpump.

So, some more conviviality and beer!

Eventually, as dusk fell, it was time to leave Wadebridge and get the No11 bus back to Bodmin Parkway for the journey home. At least we got a proper coach west from St Austell!

Thanks to Roger for a most enjoyable day out getting to some of the excellent Cornish pubs in the area. We could have tried to visit more, but experience has shown that packing too many in spoils the enjoyment of socialising. Perhaps we can get to others on another jolly day out. We were made most welcome by all the licensees and staff. A win-win situation I think.

Steve Barber