textile factory, a row of tiny terraced cottages deserved attention and a large black tom cat tempted Dobba to bury his face in an enthusiastic cuddle: all five riders stopped to watch the cuddle. Further on, a sign pointed up a leafy lane to 'Ravenstore', once a large private house, now a Youth Hostel. Opposite, a foot bridge crossed the river - another opportunity to gaze into its crystal depths which, at this point, were brilliantly illuminated by a sunbeam: all six riders leaned over and were mesmerised by the spectacle.
Finally they came to the feet of massive stone legs supporting, far above them, an enormous viaduct which carried the 1861 Derby to Manchester Midland railway line: a relic and symbol of Victorian confidence. Here they turned right and immediately were forced to dismount in the face of a defeating, steep gradient on this last leg, the long and weary climb up to Wormhill where food and rest awaited them at the top.
It would have been a difficult and relatively dull trudge, especially after so much easy and attractive travel at river level, but for a recalled hilarious incident, the month before, which suddenly popped into Danny's head giving him an opportunity to do his 'Mrs Buxcey' - or 'B oo kcey' as it was pronounced by the lower orders.
After nearly half a century of service, the small hard faced history mistress had become a legend at William Howitt Secondary Modern School. This squat disciplinarian demanded nothing less than the very best her pupils could deliver. With his carefully honed, gravely Buxcey voice, Danny, standing on pedals, creeping up the hill, re-enacted the event of biting but amusing sarcasm which they had already heard several times, but loved to hear over and over again.
She, of frosty features was watchfully policing a deep silence, save for the faint movement of pens. Suddenly, this industrious peace was broken by the voice of authority - "Daniel Forrester!"
All eyes turned to the innocent Danny, open, honest and unsuspecting, beavering away over his book. In anxiety, his youthful fresh face coloured and looked up for further instructions.
"Come out! Bring your book."
After the style of impending execution, up plodded Danny, reverently placing the book before the searching matriarchal square spectacles. What followed next took them all by surprise. Her hard voice softened to a faint shadow of a smile.
"It's nice writing isn't it?"
Instant relief showed on the pleasant round countenance of the unaffected, credulous Forrester, so typical of both twin brothers.
"Yes, it is very nice writing."
The naive lad could not believe his luck and risked a smile.
"You must be proud of this writing!"
Danny Forrester positively beamed and nodded in enthusiastic agreement - until, to his horror, the despotic dame had quickly resumed her more natural, tyrannical glare and gravely curdling threatening voice.
"It's a mess! Disgraceful! Do it again!!"
A punch line which never failed to cause an explosion of raucous laughter and egged Danny on to entertain them with further excerpts, such as the time in assembly she disrupted 'Onward Christian Soldiers' shrieking 'GET OUT!' and escorted her victim to Miss McLenin's office.
It was the - "And I am the one who should be annoyed - NOT you." which would be remembered by Simeon Hogg when he heard himself using the same words 40 years later to reprimand a student and thought -
"Oh no! My God! I'm turning into Mrs Buxcey!"
At long last the jokes became less funny and the steepness gradually became less steep. A profusion of vegetation, sweet scents and an opulence
Finally they came to the feet of massive stone legs supporting, far above them, an enormous viaduct which carried the 1861 Derby to Manchester Midland railway line: a relic and symbol of Victorian confidence. Here they turned right and immediately were forced to dismount in the face of a defeating, steep gradient on this last leg, the long and weary climb up to Wormhill where food and rest awaited them at the top.
It would have been a difficult and relatively dull trudge, especially after so much easy and attractive travel at river level, but for a recalled hilarious incident, the month before, which suddenly popped into Danny's head giving him an opportunity to do his 'Mrs Buxcey' - or 'B oo kcey' as it was pronounced by the lower orders.
After nearly half a century of service, the small hard faced history mistress had become a legend at William Howitt Secondary Modern School. This squat disciplinarian demanded nothing less than the very best her pupils could deliver. With his carefully honed, gravely Buxcey voice, Danny, standing on pedals, creeping up the hill, re-enacted the event of biting but amusing sarcasm which they had already heard several times, but loved to hear over and over again.
She, of frosty features was watchfully policing a deep silence, save for the faint movement of pens. Suddenly, this industrious peace was broken by the voice of authority - "Daniel Forrester!"
All eyes turned to the innocent Danny, open, honest and unsuspecting, beavering away over his book. In anxiety, his youthful fresh face coloured and looked up for further instructions.
"Come out! Bring your book."
After the style of impending execution, up plodded Danny, reverently placing the book before the searching matriarchal square spectacles. What followed next took them all by surprise. Her hard voice softened to a faint shadow of a smile.
"It's nice writing isn't it?"
Instant relief showed on the pleasant round countenance of the unaffected, credulous Forrester, so typical of both twin brothers.
"Yes, it is very nice writing."
The naive lad could not believe his luck and risked a smile.
"You must be proud of this writing!"
Danny Forrester positively beamed and nodded in enthusiastic agreement - until, to his horror, the despotic dame had quickly resumed her more natural, tyrannical glare and gravely curdling threatening voice.
"It's a mess! Disgraceful! Do it again!!"
A punch line which never failed to cause an explosion of raucous laughter and egged Danny on to entertain them with further excerpts, such as the time in assembly she disrupted 'Onward Christian Soldiers' shrieking 'GET OUT!' and escorted her victim to Miss McLenin's office.
It was the - "And I am the one who should be annoyed - NOT you." which would be remembered by Simeon Hogg when he heard himself using the same words 40 years later to reprimand a student and thought -
"Oh no! My God! I'm turning into Mrs Buxcey!"
At long last the jokes became less funny and the steepness gradually became less steep. A profusion of vegetation, sweet scents and an opulence
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