Many thanks guys, BUT it's you lot that make the meeting.
I got to Dent for the Wednesday evening to get things organised. Tent up and pub for the evening.
Thursday I unloaded the bike from my van and all of the other stuff that I had taken namely the barbie and cooking gear, and the tea / coffee / milk / sugar gear. Drove out and I went to the Spar shop in Sedburgh to organise the meat for the barbie and BAPS for the said meal from Steadmans the best butchers in the Lakes. Darren from the XT club came for the evening and again we had a pleasant evening in the pub. The Irish contingent arrived later on and set up camp in the swamp!
Friday and people started to arrive namely the ABR lads and big John with his trailer and huge tent complete with collapsible hammock framework!, another from Scotland!
By the evening we had quite a few and spent the afternoon acquainting with each other and the usual tyre kicking.
By six ish we were served the most amazing beef stew, dumplings and baked potatoes from Mick at the farmhouse. A woman that I have met several times at the site helped and I'm sure everyone enjoyed it. By the time we were going to the pub, Harry from Holland turned up, slightly moist I might add! 900kms trip in one hit, straight up from Dover, what a star.
A good night in the pub by which time some of the musicians from some sort of meet were in the pub, so a pretty noisy and busy night there.
When we got back to the marquee after the beers some of the musicians were installed in the kitchen of the farmhouse and continued into the late hours.
Saturday morning and a 'healthy' full breakfast in the farmhouse kitchen (£5) and we set off for the rideout, John taking Arn for the offroad, the rest with me. First stop with me was Casterdale for fuel then on to Devils Bridge for a cuppa (where Timbo took one of the guys for a new campbed). The on to the route which took us to Yodas cave where we had a little walk into it and had a look at the waterfall at the end. It used to be a showcave for the Victorians because the Ladies could walk into it.
A blast over the Coal road into Hawes and then to Gayle Mill where I had arranged a guided tour. Ordinarily they do not host such groups on a Saturday but made an exeption for us, but hey if you don't ask!. Before we had set off I was given a number to call and arranged with William Lambert, the Chairman of the Gayle Mill Trust, to meet at 1o' clock.
John and Arn turned up to continue the rest of the road ride.
William did not disappoint, the tour was amazing, truly informative and he answered all of our questions. We had an intoroduction on the top floor which doubles as a cafe, so over tea / coffee he introduced himself and talked about the history of the Mill. I'm not going into detail as there was too much to remember but I can thoroughly recommend the place..
We continued the ride over to Kettlewell where we stopped again for some to get 'supplies' for later on!
Another hour and more smiles up hill and down dale and we were back the site. I counted them all out and back!
John got the barbie going and Maxwell and Arn did an excellent job of cooking the food, which went down well.
Prior to the meet I had been posting for persons to bring something along to AUCTION for the Air Ambulance.
After the food I did the auction, (which I might add I have never done before ) I think it went down well. We had such items as a waxed jacket, goretex boots, tent single side exhaust for the Tenere, the list goes on and all items were sold. The lads were most generous and we raised a good amount for the charity
We spent the rest of the evening at the pub and upon returning to the marquee realised that there were more musicians in the kitchen, again the barbie was sparked up and the rest of the burgers were cooked for the guests there. Another late night and offsky to bed.
Farmhouse for breakfast and we then helped Mick from the farm get the marquee down and into the shed, many thanks to those who stayed and helped.
I was last to leave and shoehorned my bike back into the van and all of the other stuff that I had taken.
I arrived home a very tired but content person.
After all of the expenses and the auction I paid in to the Air Ambulance today the sum of £350.
Cheers guys
Steve
