Been ThereRead about some of the places we have been to and things we have done. |
||||||
January 2012
14th - This Saturday rideout was to
Oakham Treasures, just off the M5 at Portbury,Bristol.
| ||||||
|
There were vintage tractors & sewing machines. A staggering array of tractor seats, most with a decorative paint job. Who'd have thought there were so many different designs? Then were collections of almost anything you can think of; shoe lasts, polish & brushes. Old news papers; I saw one article in a Farmers' paper expounding the virtues of worming sheep using the latest compound (containing DDT). Another article about the space shuttle. There were childrens' games, chocolate, lavishly decorated chocolate boxes, and other food stuffs. And vintage metal signs advertising anything & everything. |
||||||
|
|
||||||
December 2011
11th - Would anyone attend a rideout, in the middle of December, with heavy rain and wind in the forecast?
True to form, Neil took us on the best of Wiltshires' lanes. Despite the time of year we still took in some wonderful scenery. The grass was a particularly nice shade of green especially the strip running the entire length of Chopping Knife Lane. 8 bikes arrived in convoy at Robin & Annes' house. 6 were Royal Enfields. We were treated to hot soup, tea and coffee, and a wide selection of cake. As young Rob and Steve were both celebrating their birthdays, there was even a birthday cake (and lots of singing).
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
Nov 2011 - Club Meeting
9th - We had the meeting on the Wednesday not our usual Thursday. Luckily everyone remembered & there was a really good turn out for the talk & slide Show given by Squadron Leader Gareth(Gaz) Kennedy. The half hour talk was really interesting (and humourous) & the time flew by. (Pardon the pun). |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
Immediately things began to look a bit dodgy... Phew! Step 1 accomplished with no injuries. |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
Things are looking dodgy again... Mission Accomplished! Be careful ...
You could av someone's eye out... |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
For the 'twitchers' out there:- a couple of pictures to compare characteristics. |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
Nov 2011
6th - This rideout was led by Neil. Starting from Chisledon Petrol Station, we had a chilly but sunny ride through the Wiltshire countryside to Upper Chute. A total of 14 bikes (10 Enfields) & 17 Wiltshire branch members made the trip out to the Cross Keys Inn at Upper Chute where we met up with the Wessex branch. Luckily the staff were prepared for everyone to have lunch, thanks to Neil's planning. |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
Oct 201116th - This was Trevor Snr's birthday rideout, led by Trevor himself. Starting from Chisledon, we had a sunny ride through the Wiltshire countryside. We met up with the west Wilts contingent at the Malmesbury Garden Centre for Tea/Coffee . A total of 18 bikes & 23 members...
Word must have got around about Chris' homemade cakes - our final destination. Whilst we've been having tea in the Garden Centre, someone's been making sure Trevor's bike is all dressed up for the occasion.  18 bikes squeezed onto the tiny driveway at Trevor's. Graeme brought some extra cake (lemon drizzle & orange Drizzle - Mmmm delicious). With plenty of tea & cake and the sun blazing down, it seemed more like June than October. A splendid afternoon of chatting & laughter, and a rendition or two of "Happy Birthday". Finally everyone departed, making their own way home. Thanks Trevor & Chris. And Happy Birthday!! See the Photo Album for more pictures |
||||||
|
1st - We went along to the AGM at a Woodland Waters Campsite. There was an exceptional turnout of about 57 members - more than had been expected by the committee. 11 Wiltshire branch members made the trip. A pretty good turn out. A few people shared cars... Gordon & Chris, Julie & Neil, and Robin & Anne made the trip up. You'll have to ask Alan/Steve/Graeme how their journey was... Jason & I made a late-ish decision to ride up. We were making sure the weather was going to be OK. And This particular weekend was scheduled to be the last BBQ Weekend of 2011. Jason spent a couple of days working out a route using Google Earth. The ride took us 4 hours. We had just one stop at a petrol station at Moreton-in-Marsh. We set off at 05:30, so not much was open, and arrived at 09:30. Steve voluteered & has been voted in as Treasurer on the main REOC committee. Well Done Steve! Now we have 2 Wilts branch member on the Committee (Graeme & Steve). Proper Job! |
|
|||||
Sept 201125th - A group of a dozen or so Wiltshire branch member & friends set off from Chiseldon Garage to join the MAG EU Hands Off Biking.Campaign. A short ride from Leigh Delamere Services, westbound to the next Junction (Bath)8 of us went on to Shalbourne manner Car & Bike Show. Luckily the weather, which had started cloudy with a couple of light showers, cleared for a lovely sunny afternoon. 11th - September ride out was a great success. Thanks to Rob & Tiddly for organising this ride to the Haynes museum at Sparkford. |
|
|||||
August 2011Another excellent day. the weather was good for riding, dry, & mild. 10 bikes met up at Chisledon garage (7 Enfields), despite not being sure where we were actually going. Robin & Anne came up trumps leading a lovely trip across the Cotswolds to Slimbridge Waterfowl Trust.We had a quick stop at a cafe before going into the Waterfowl Trust. Just time for a cup of tea, and a look at my bike, which had decided that headlight/sidelights were an optional extra. On to Slimbridge, and the row of bikes parked up brought some attention froma family with cameras, who thought there might be a vintage rally on. Neil explained the differences between the the bikes which ranged from Gail's brand new Classic, to Steve's Redditch built Bullet. We went in and a few of us bought bags of grain to feed the birds, but on consideration decided we were more in need, so into the cafe for lunch before walking it off around the centre. Thanks Robin & Anne for a lovely day. |
||||||
|
|
||||||
July 2011The 2011 Calne bike show (Saturday 23rd) has been going for 10 years. Good weather drew a record number of bikes of all shapes, sizes and ages. We had our usual spot in Castle Park, and 19 Enfields in attendance.Rob & Tiddly led their first official rideout on Sunday 17th. Around Wiltshire including lunch in Shaftesbury, a stroll down the hill that featured in the Hovis advert, an interesting ride out of Shaftesbury with a break at Compton Abbas Airfield, And a brief stop to see the Fovant Military Badges. 
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
Setting off from Chisledon.
A rear end view of some Enfields at Upper Chute.
Although winter is looming, we've managed to squeeze another nice day in. Some members are prepared for the tougher weather (Robin).