It was late into the year and we were uncertain whether the weather would be kind to us as it had appeared to rain on every trip this year. However our resident weather forecaster Josie reassured us it would be fine.
Roy and I arrived at the hotel, after a day at work about the same time as Rob and Karen who had also had to work (that dreaded word). We could see most of the others had arrived, so after quickly unpacking and a quick swill round we joined them in the bar, for hello’s and a quick drink. Alan was clutching his top bag which contained a birthday cake. It had been his birthday (not a very big one) earlier in the week and he had bought his “topless lady in a swimming pool” cake for us all to try later.
Ian and Denise were proudly showing pictures of their daughter Faye’s beautiful wedding to Sebastian in Italy. Faye looked gorgeous and Mum and Dad had scrubbed up well !!
After shuffling the tables around to make room for Graham, Jean, Ann and Alan we had an excellent carvery dinner, followed by a quiz which a Joe and Izy won again.
Terry and Rob were discussing their proposed trip to Poland and Joe mentioned his proposed trip to Northern Ireland, so it looks like we will be busy next year as the calendar is filling up already.
Next morning, John and Alison arrived, after leaving home in the dark in time for a quick coffee before we left the hotel a little later than usual ( Alan still with cake in top box), the weather was a little misty but not too cold. Some of the views, Roy and I had planned could not be seen , but there was a blaze of colour with red, orange , gold and deep green leaves tree lining the roads. Slowly the sun was beginning to peak through and the sky became a clear blue (in places) as we wound our way through the central England countryside with its beautiful large houses and quaint villages. The farmers had been out in force and there was a lot of mud as well as fallen leaves to contend with, various comments about having to clean the bikes could be heard over the CB.
Coffee stop was at Holloways, at Suckley, which I think surprised a lot of people as it is in the middle of nowhere and has large tea room, gift shop and garden ornaments for sale, well worth a ride out in the summer.
We then wound our way up through the MALVERN HILLS, not the Mendips (which are miles away) as Ian insisted on calling them, down the other side and on to Evesham and finally Stratford upon Avon, where we were stopping for a late lunch and a look around. The route being designed just for Christine, who is not keen on the twisties.
Rob and Roy were expecting rain so they donned their hats; they looked more like Bill and Ben. Alan promised us all a piece of cake at 6.00pm, as he and Ann headed off to Warwick Castle as they could not stop on Sunday. The rest of us mooched off, after a wee stop, to find some lunch.
After lunch we were walking up a street when we espied a face peering out of Café Rouge, it was Nigel. He and Sue had been trying to find us on the route, which had not been possible as they were waiting at the wrong place (Read your pack!!), so they then decided the best place to meet would be Stratford. Joe and Izy were with them so we had cup of tea and a chat, before invading the Old Guys rule shop, trying to get Roy a Tee Shirt with “ The older I get the better I was “ logo. Unfortunately they did not have his size but Joe managed to get one for Dennis, which said “I hike therefore I’m lost”
It was then back to the Hotel, where we discovered that most of the men had been posing for their calendar pictures!!. Despite the CCTV cameras being on them.
At 6.00pm we all assembled for the cake cutting, but much to our disappointment it was mouldy!! Or was it because Alan had used it to hide his bits for the picture, we will never know.
Richard and Christine had now arrived, after a delayed trip back from Turkey, both of them looking very brown and relaxed. Richard is talking about doing a trip next year as well so keep an eye on the website.
After another excellent meal, we had a quiz which Jim and Jill won. Rob, Karen, Graham and Jean popped out to the pub over the road for a change of scene and a drink.
Sunday we were off to the National Memorial Arboretum for a coffee stop before heading back to Warwick for a visit to the castle. It was very misty, and views were restricted but Ian lead us passed the centre of England at Meriden and on through roads we had not travelled before, again the Farmers had been spreading the mud all over the roads.
While we were enjoying coffee and a look around over 200 scooter riders turned up filling the carpark with noise and the smell of 2 stroke.
Some of us said goodbye at the Arboretum, as we have to work (that word again) on the Monday, while the remaining bikes, headed back to Warwick for the castle visit. Which I hope went well. I did hear that Rob and Coleen won the quiz, congratulations to them. from the pictures sent in by Terry, I can see that Mick and Netty also came back from Turkey, looking very brown and heathy.
Once again Roy and I had a great time, thanks to Ian for arranging the hotel and Sundays run out, Josie for the weather and for everyone else for making it a great weekend

Photo Gallery Warwick 2012