For April we plan to return to Stalybridge both because it is a grand place to visit and also, for those partaking of Mild Magic and needing those last few stickers/areas, there is the potential to pick up no less than six stickers in five areas! With plenty of trains from Stockport, travel time from there is under 40 minutes, but our main rendezvous point is in in Manchester Piccadilly at 10:20am. to cater for the Mancunian contingent.

On alighting in Stalybridge we instantly start the Wander, by living up to the name, and 'wandering' across Stalybridge.

Our first locale is the Society Rooms. Being a Wetherspoon outlet food will be available, with the breakfast menu still being available until noon. In previous years the Society Room has embraced Mild Magic, often having three available, and being strategically placed on the first handpumps you reach. For those not requiring stickers, there will also be a range of 'normal' beers on offer.

Across the square (oblong?) and a little way down Melbourne Street we reach Bridge Beers. Contrary to what some people think, this is named after its founder and not the canal crossing nearby. When entering Bridge Beers you may be confused thinking you have entered the wrong pub because you will be able to see the original signboard from the Old Thirteenth Cheshire Astley Volunteer Rifleman Corps Inn, not to be confused with the New Old Thirteenth Cheshire...   which we passed after leaving the station — this is a modern imposter! The beers here used to be supplied by their own brewery, but retirement has led to that being let go. Another novelty is, all the beers are served on gravity.

Now for another (brief) wander back towards the station, encountering on route the White House. This is a Hydes house so along with their normal range of beers one of (maybe both) Hydes 1863 or Dark Ruby could be on the bar. It is not unusual to see the current Hydes seasonal; Sherlock Combs is scheduled for April and is a pale, punchy ale, with May's offering being Jack Of All Shaves, a light Bock with Pilsner malt and flaked maize. Should the weather be with us (it is England in the summer!) the White House has an inviting garden to the rear. On departing a very short wander brings us to our next outlet.

This is the famous Station Buffet Bar which, it being mid week, should be thankfully devoid of Rail Ale Trail enthusiasts. There can be up to ten beers on offer along with a cider, though mid week six or eight are more usual, one of which is normally a stout or porter. If this isn't enough there is also a good range of bottled beers. The main bar area dates from when the station was reconstruction in 1885 and is one of very few licensed buffets on the English rail network to survive pretty much intact from before the Second World War. The location on Platform 4 is very handy to keep an eye on our train , which departs from almost the front door on Platform 5, so no excuse for missing the train.

A more involved wander now ensues, starting with three minutes on the train, a short walk across the road to the Interchange in Ashton-under-Lyne and thence on to a tram for our next destination.

Alighting the tram we cross the road junction and arrive at the Silly Country. Opened in a corner commercial unit, Silly Country is everything you would expect in a modern bar. The good news from our point of view is it does have four handpumps on the bar along with an extensive bottle and can offering. Décor is as expected except for the quirky artistic map of the Droylsden area on the wall, very entertaining to look at, but not as good as Google Maps for finding your way around. We mustn't stay too long as children aren't allowed after 7pm.

Crossing the road (easily typed but, with the traffic, can be fraught with frustration) we come to the Snug. Opened by the owner of the Jam Works next door to segregate the beer drinkers from the wine and cocktail clients. Though modern, it has been fitted out to resemble a traditional pub, with wood panelled walls and a some fitted seats. Should the main bar be busy there is also an upstairs room, but this sometimes hosts private functions so is not always available. we won't have to rush as much here, as children are allowed until 8pm.

To make out way home there are plenty of trams (baring yet another car parking on the track) on a 12 minute headway. Don't be lured by the number 7 bus which, despite saying Stockport on the front, visits Openshaw, Abby Hey, Gorton, Dane Bank and Heaton Chapel before reaching the terminus. This results in a journey of an hour (traffic permitting).

* You can bring your own food in, but no chippy food or the like.