Following weeks of bad weather on a Wednesday, illness and holidays, the Pedal Pushers managed to get an almost complete group on the ride today. Using the Cheshire Lines cycle way we rode out from Maghull, did a circuit around the lanes and paths of Lydiate and Aughton before a coffee stop at Hartleys, Then following the cycle lanes, and avoiding the debris left by the hedge cutters, we rode back to Maghull. Just under 8.5 miles, but enough to get the joints going again. Hopefully we’ll get a longer ride next week on our annual Spring trip to Sefton Park to see the daffodil displays.

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Several members of the Foodie Group, family and friends, dined yesterday evening at L20 restaurant, the hotel school of Hugh Baird College. The 3rd year students had recently visited Oslo, visiting Michelin starred restaurants, fish and vegetable markets and on their return created a menu of Scandinavian cuisine. We had the opportunity to taste cuisine combinations that we had not tried before and were all suitable impressed. Service, as ever, was impeccable and we were delighted when one of the young chefs came out of the kitchen to enquire whether we had enjoyed the evening and what we thought of the menu. Needless to say praise was heaped on the students, and, as an OFSTED visit was planned for today, took the opportunity to leave written feedback for the students’ portfolios. A Summer foraging menu is being planned for May and we have already signed up to revisit then.

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The foodie group met again today for our usual taster session. Following on from starters last month we sampled main courses today. A delicious red Leicester cheese flan, a very tasty Chilli con carne made to a Delia Smith recipe using chuck steak rather than mince, and a rather exotic dish of paella topped off with mussels. Thanks to the members who treated us today. Next month is a foray into desserts so we’ll have spoons at the ready. The group is proving to be extremely successful with the numbers now reaching 27. We have had new members join us at both meetings of 2018. We still have ( a little ) room for more people.  Pasta, pies and salads on the menus for further meetings so if you fancy getting involved, chat to me at a coffee morning or come along to St  James church hall, Green Lane, 10:30 on the third Thursday of the month.

Marg Kendall

Pedal Pushers minus the photographer!

The Pedal pushers is an intermediate cycling group who meet on a Wednesday morning and cycle on average 12-15 miles per session. A coffee stop is always included in the ride! We have started on our 2018 cycling programme which makes use of the abundant cycle tracks in the Sefton area and further afield. At the moment the group is at capacity numbers as we are mindful of the inconvenience which may be caused by large groups of cyclists travelling on Merseyrail. However if anyone is interested in the group please contact Bill Ashton 0151 285 1817.