Well, we feared the worst and so it has come to pass. Any other day, in fact the very next one, and we might have got to Macclesfield and back to the smoke for between £16 and £23, but not on Easter Monday, and in the week of the Royal Wedding as well!
To be honest, what was the fixture computer doing when it stitched us up with this one, Stevenage fans have got far less to travel on Good Friday.
One for the coach or a drive but if you insist, and something late might come up, go to www.virgintrains.co.uk where you can book the £68.80 return and pick any service you wish.
If there's between 3 and 9 of you go to www.eastcoast.co.uk/special-offers/3plus/ and save a third so iy would bring the price down.
Looking at some alternatives that may be around and report back.
And if you do let the train take the strain............Macclesfield railway station is about one and a quarter miles from the Moss Rose ground, about a 20 minute walk away.
As you leave the station, at the bottom of the station approach, turn left onto Sunderland Street and follow until the traffic lights at Park Green (War memorial and gardens).
Turn left onto Mill Lane (it is probably better to cross onto the opposite side of the road here at the traffic lights) and follow this road which becomes London Road.
Just after passing the Catholic Church on the right the ground comes into sight ahead.
You can also catch a bus up to the ground from the new bus station in the town centre.
To reach the bus station from Macclesfield railway station, cross the main road outside the station using the pedestrian crossing, turn right and then turn left by the car showroom into Waters Green and follow this road up the hill (Queen Victoria Street) to the bus station on the left.
Buses returning from the ground stop on the main road outside the railway station.
Times and Routes: Service 9 Moss Rose circular - every 30 minutes (hourly at night and on Sundays); Service 14 Langley - hourly all day and evening (no Sunday service).
Further information is available on Traveline: Tel. No. 0870 608 2608.
Go South young man from the blue blob if you plan to walk to Moss Rose
(Ground information and stadium directions supplied by www.footballgroundguide.com)