Elite Wings

  • Welcome
  • News
  • Day Trips
  • Events 1nt+
  • Trip reports
  • For sale
  • Photos
    • 2009 photos
    • 2010 photos
    • 2011 photos
    • 2012 photos
    • 2013 photos
    • 2014 photos
    • 2015 photos
    • 2016 photos
    • 2017 photos
    • 2018 Photos
    • 2019 Photos
    • Adhoc Photos
  • Apply to join
  • Members area
    • Event details
    • Members’ photos
    • Members’ locations
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
  • All posts

Easter 2014 – Bath

Posted by Celia
/ April 22nd, 2014 / 8 Comments

Scratching, yawning and tumbling out of our hibernation for the winter Elite Wings are once again on the road.

Ian and Denise had arrange an Easter weekend in Swindon so that we could take in the delights of the City of Bath (BAARTH) and also visit the beautiful New Forest.

Friday dawned bright and sunny, there was only a blip on the weather forecast for Sunday, but they may get it wrong and we would have lovely weather. We all travelled to Swindon from the various corners of GB. The hotel had arranged for us to park at the rear of the hotel, with an entrance nearby and most of the rooms would be overlooking the bike parking. We arranged to meet for dinner at 7.30 and soon everyone was catching up and being introduced to new members, Tony and Sue Motto, Dave Stolting and Alan and Cheryl Roulston. Chris Beddows was also joining us for the weekend which was great as we have only met him once or twice. There were 21 bikes with Nigel and Sue in the car. Nigel is recovering from a heart attack and it was lovely to see him looking so well. During and after the meal there was a lot of gossip and experiences being exchanged.

 

DSCN1040Saturday. After a fairly early breakfast, well it was for the retired members, we assembled by the bikes for a briefing by Red Leader Ian, we were told the best way to keep 22 bikes together ( Grenville had now joined us) as we would soon get lost around Bath. All mounted up, off we went and we followed Ian’s route, with a few wrong turns, through the beautiful Wiltshire countryside with seas of bright yellow rape, villages with clipped lawns, freshly thatched soft mellow Cotswold stone cottages and quaint country pubs. We planned to be in Bath before lunch for an extended look around. Gren had worked his magic with the local authorities and secured us a large cheap parking space near the Crescent. We then all split up for a look around at the beautiful city and lovely shops. It was while I was looking at some particularly attractive shoes that an “albatross” decided to deposit a large dollop on my head and back, much to Debbie and Spencer’s delight. Roy, ever the gentleman cleaned me up ( as best as he could while trying not to cry with laughter), they say it is lucky, and it may have been as I won £25.00 on the lottery that night.

Parked at Bath

Parked at Bath

DSCN0990

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bath was busy as there was a Rugby match on so when we returned back to the bikes to leave, the cars were hovering around waiting for our spaces. Jim and Jill were queuing to see the Roman Baths, Paul and Jan, Alan and Ann were also still busy sightseeing, so their three bikes were moved to safety and the remainder of us set off for the ride to the afternoon tea stop. This ride took us across country through the beautiful town of Bradford upon Avon (must go back for a real look around) and on to garden centre where some of us enjoyed a compulsory cream tea. On leaving Rob had trouble starting his bike, it just did not want to know, so while Roy lead the main group back to the hotel, Ian, Rob and the garden centre owner got his car and jumped started Rob’s bike. All was well, until Rob got to the garage to fill up and again his bike refused to start. Something wrong with the electrics/battery/alternator, so Rob arranged for the bike to be picked up next day and transported back home. Our return trip took us through the interesting town of Marlborough, where we spied Paul and Jan window shopping, a town worth revisiting I think.

We had been really lucky with the weather, fine and dry with just a chill wind on the high commons.

Rick and Françoise joined us for dinner, which was lovely to see them both again. They told us of their problem with £8000 of damage to the new motor home caused by a golf ball sized hail storm earlier in the year!! The hotel was busy with a wedding, which Alan and Ann gate crashed so they could dance, we were all then invited into the reception, I think most of us declined and went off to bed ready for the next day.

 

Rick, Mick & Netty

Rick, Mick & Netty

Terry & Franciose

Terry & Franciose

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday . Forecast not so good. The Easter Chick ( Denise) visited each of the dining tables at breakfast and offered us an Easter Egg to get everyone into the Easter feeling. We said good bye to Tony and Sue and Nigel and Sue ( both the Sue’s were having to work) and Rob and Coleen in the breakdown van, but hope to meet them all again soon. Waterproofs were the order of the day as it would be very lucky if we missed the forecasted down pour. Today we were heading off to the New Forest and wound our way through quiet picture post card villages to the especially arranged coffee stop, the George Inn at Middle Wallop. The pub had opened an hour early to accommodate us, which was great considering it was a bank holiday. On leaving the coffee stop there were the patter of rain drops on the helmets but nothing too bad. The route now took us into the New Forest, where the animals are allowed to roam free, in one really narrow lane we encountered an “ unmanned” herd of approx. 24 head of cattle, bullocks ,calves and cows. Not a farmer in sight! They surrounded the bikes and a couple of the cows started to “fight” well that’s what Roy thought they were doing!! It is surprising how big, small cows are when they are up close. Once they had wandered on, we then negotiated the cow deposits into the wider open gorse covered spaces of the New Forest, although over the CB there were comments that shouldn’t a forest have trees?.

Cows on Road

Cows on Road

 

Ian & Denise singing in the rain

Ian & Denise singing in the rain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lunch was at the beautiful, Georgian market town of Lymington, on the western end of the Solent. Unfortunately, the weather decided to change for the worse and the rain began to fall really heavily, we really didn’t have the opportunity to look around , although Netty and Roy both bought natty sun hats to keep the rain off!!. Lymington is another place to revisit. Alan and Gill had headed off to look around Sammy Millers, they may have found a drier venue. Back on the bikes, with the rain beating down, finding it’s way into every little gap sending cold wet chills down your neck , it was decided to follow the route home but not stop at Salisbury. Spencer had an issue with his glasses so Roy and I lead them back, shortest fastest, but still only got back 3 or 4 minutes before the pack. Everyone was wet through, the hotels heating were turned to red hot and the bedrooms turned into saunas with wet clothing adorning the chairs and radiators etc. The joys of motorcycling?

Again we had our own separate eating area, so soon we were all dry, warm and tucking into dinner. After dinner there was the quiz “Famous Willies” which was won not by Joe and Izzy , but by Alan and Cheryl, looks like there could be competition between the two couples. Denise awarded the prize to the winning couple who scored 12 out of 15.

Chatting and catching up

Chatting and catching up

Monday – Terry had decided to start a new Easter Monday tradition . it is called “Sit on your bike and get people fully clothed in motorcycling gear to push you up and down the car park till they drop and your bike starts”

Richard was the first to take part, while the rest of us stood by watching this amazing feat. As we watch him push Terry, faster and faster down the car park, Richards face ( complete with helmet) was turning redder and redder, Soon Alan ( Fireman) jumped in to help and Terry was racing down the car park with a silent engine. When Richard and Alan could push no more and Terry could not go any further, they decided that to make things easier they would take the KILL switch off and start the bike he normal way!! Yes Terry had knocked the kill switch and bike would not start . Terry says it was a new part of the IAM training but we were not so sure!!

We all said our goodbyes, in what promised to be a better day, some of us were Heading East, some North and some ( well they took several wrong turns) undecided!

Once again it was a lovely weekend, despite the soaking on Sunday, really looking forward to the rest of the trips we are on this year. Thanks to Ian and Denise for organising it and thank you to everyone who joined us. Sorry if we didn’t get to chat too much but there was a lot to get around, See you soon

 

Celia and Roy

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Trip reports
  1. April 22nd, 2014

    Tony Motto

    Got to be careful with a hear of cows. No telling what they will do to a bike. Take a look at this!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymqrl7F60U8

    Reply  
  2. April 23rd, 2014

    Joe & Izy

    We had a really great time and enjoyed the week end despite the little shower on Sunday.
    Thanks to Ian & Denise for organising the trip. Looking forward to Northumbria.
    Regards
    Joe & Izy

    Reply  
  3. April 23rd, 2014

    Alan & Gill

    Well done to all involved in organising it, as it was a super weekend spoilt only by just a small shower or two.
    Had a great couple of days in Glastonbury admiring the people from the parallel universe 🙂

    See you in Northumbria soon……

    Alan + Gill

    Reply  
  4. April 25th, 2014

    Nigel and Sue

    We had a great time, good to catch up with everyone, and to meet friends Alan & Cheryl again. Shame we couldn’t do the biking but we did go to Bath. We stopped at Burford, then Bourton – on -the -Water on the way home, which was really nice but cold !
    Thank you all for your support and kind thoughts, we have had quite a shock. Nigel says one or two of Izy’s cherry vodkas certainly did him the world of good :)))) He is now attending Rehab ( for his heart, not his alcohol consumption !! ) and is still very tired, but getting there. He hopes to return to work Monday.
    Hope to see you all soon, thanks to Ian and Denise for organising it all.

    Sue & Nigel

    Reply  
  5. April 28th, 2014

    Richard

    Thanks Ian once again for a great weekend,some of you know that Christine had a neck problem which we thought was a strain but on my arrival back from a wet weekend in Scotland which she didn’t feel like going on she has been told she has shingles in her neck,back and left arm.
    She is very sore at the moment and taking her medicine so hopefully will be ok soon.
    Cheers Richard

    Reply  
  6. May 1st, 2014

    Mike Cox

    Hi Christine.

    Sorry to hear of your problem and we hope you are back to health soon so as to enjoy our forth coming holiday abroad.
    Best wishes Mike and Nettie

    Reply  
  7. May 3rd, 2014

    Gren and Jan

    Hi Christine,
    You MUST get well soon and see you (and all) in Portsmouth ready for Spain/Portugal.
    Feet up and let Richard take the strain?!
    Kind regards,
    Gren and Jan. 🙂

    Reply  
  8. May 9th, 2014

    Nigel and Sue

    Hi Christine,

    Sorry to hear you have shingles, From experience they are extremely painful. No wonder you feel poorly. Kind thoughts are with you, and we hope you make your trip.

    Sue

    Reply  

Leave a comment

Click here to cancel reply.

Slideshow

065 (640x480)
112 (2) (640x480)
7F3A9358_1000x667
7F3A9477_1000x1500
cragside 1
IMG_0589
img_1785
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
VLUU L200  / Samsung L200
telephone-box-at-glastonbury

Recent posts

  • Memories of the Big Fella – Roy Steventon
  • Portugal & Spain Sept 2021
  • For Sale -Low Mileage 2013 gen2 Wing – SOLD
  • York Visit 16th to 20th September 2020
  • Great Central Railway Refund
  • Great Central Railway – Cancellation

Recent comments

  • IanC January 29th, 2021 at 9:29 am on Portugal & Spain Sept 2021Hi Nick, Thanks for visiting our website and viewing my post about the Portugal &.....
  • Nick Crouch January 28th, 2021 at 2:01 pm on Portugal & Spain Sept 2021Hi Ian, i got a 2017 goldwing last june hoping to join a club and.....
  • IanC November 27th, 2020 at 4:26 pm on Portugal & Spain Sept 2021This tours FULL ITINERARY & HOTELS LIST are available to view to e-w members in.....
  • PHILIP BARKER July 28th, 2020 at 3:36 pm on 2012 Built in Satnav SOFTWARE update, at last !!!Hi. I have a 2013 1800GL and my head is spinning with all the good.....
  • Richard Chatham March 30th, 2020 at 1:45 pm on Great Central Railway – CancellationHi Mike No preference we will go with the majority. Cheers Richard

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
Copyright © - Elite Wings

Sign in to your account

Account Login
Forgot your password?