Famous Five adventure in Manchester

Itchy, Dick, and Fanny awoke early to sunshine streaming into their student house in Fallowfield.

'Isn't this weather marvellous,' said Dick, peering out the window at the sunny street outside. 'It really is,' said Fanny. 'If only it wasn't the summer holidays. Our student loans seem a million miles away and all the other students have gone home – the beer gardens will all be empty.'

'I say, I've a smashing idea' said Itchy. 'Why don't we call on Sarah and see if she will bring Bobby for a picnic in the park'. Dick and Fanny looked at each other and, inspired, dashed upstairs to change into their best sundresses and shorts.

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Sarah lived up the road in Didsbury and had immediately jumped onto her bike with poor little Bobby yapping in the front basket. She stopped off at Axons Butchers for a few top quality pork pies for the picnic. As luck would have it, they also stocked ginger beer so she bought a stash of that too.

Turning left off Wilmslow Road in Fallowfield and down one of the terraced streets, Sarah collided into her three giddy companions and they all carried on to the entrance to Platt Fields Park. They found a fabulous spot right by the boating lake and spent the morning playing frisbee and eating pork pies. Dick even climbed a tree (much to the annoyance of the park keeper) while the girls enjoyed a gentle row on the lake.

By mid afternoon all the ginger beers had gone and Itchy was starting to feel restless. 'I say,' he/she said, 'Anyone for an explore?' He was met by an enthusiastic nod and the gang headed off for adventure in Platt Fields. They found an ice-cream van on the way and a poster for the Nicole et Martin Circus held in the park on 21-25 August which they all agreed they would absolutely love to attend.

Finally, they came to the Nico Ditch, which dates from 1200 AD and was apparently dug in one night – quite impressive for a ditch 5 miles long! The girls wondered if the place was haunted, as Bobby seemed to go quite berserk near it. They all made a pact to return one night to investigate.

The weather was far too nice today though, and even Bobby was starting to pant a little more than usual. 'I say', said Dick, 'Why don't we all cycle up to Sarah's house? We could go to that wonderful little tearoom'.

So off they hurtled, turning onto Barlow Moor Road and bounding off their bikes into the quiet shade of The Art of Tea. The shop sold fantastic cakes on mismatched plates that reminded them of visiting their grandparents and they all wondered about the stories in the books held in the back of the shop. 'I should like to read them all' said Dick. But alas there wasn't time, the Art of Tea was starting to close and Itchy was getting restless.

They all went home with a flush of youth in their cheeks and something of a sugar hangover, swearing to return to the park tomorrow.

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