Today was a clear sunny Sunday 18th April, Julie and I had ridden nearly 30 miles to the start point on the south bound M1 at Wooley Edge services.

Wolley Edge services

Most of today’s WANDERERS had gathered as we arrived and were busy “chinwagging” to old friends and meeting new ones. Barry is the first I recognise owing to our particular orange “dayglow” attire, the front and back riders are the only ones to wear orange… this marks the front and back of the group for everyone, as it says in the rideout hints we give everyone, remember?
Today’s APPY WANDERERS are, Tony from Barnsley on his summer green 1500, known to the working class as The Algae Runner, his woman,

                                            Hazel the English rose of star and screen 

 proceded him on her lovely summer green 1500 trike, I say summer green because I cannot remember the posh colour Tony keeps insisting on calling it, they look nice together if you’ve just had a  “spliff” or two and why have I jusremembered I need to clean out my pond when I get home.
Heather and Derek stood around near their red 1800, Heather was busy taking pictures, this witty woman always manages to get a couple of unusual shots. I hope I can borrow someagain today?The dull grey 1800 Pudsey Trike was with us again, Christine was still suffering with her new knee so well done you for coming today, it’s sunny and will always beat sitting about in the house. It’s a bit wide but a bit quick too, they would set the pace easily for the rest of the trikes whilst hanging on the tail of Barry and Tina at the front.
 Trucker Dean from Nottingham was here again, this time he brought their lass Joanne, their red 1500 had a nice etch on the screen., a wolfs head if I remember correctly.
 Next to them on a new blue 1800 were Ken and Jean from Harrogate way, Ken was keen to tell me of their long holiday down through Italy shortly (whose looking after the rabbits then?) I was getting envious because I had only the usual two weeks to also holiday in Italy this June!
Chris and Eve baby turned up from Hull on their red 1800, it was nice to see them not in the car for a change, how the sun brings out the bikes, a nice couple from the 2005 tour, they were always snogging they were! Good luck with the new recovery job application Chris I hope I never have to call you!
 Telford and Cheryl from nearby Ackworth and Featherstone respectfully came for the first time on oa WANDERERS ride out their red (a lot of red bikes today) 1800 trike, these two will become “Sooti and Sweep” as he is a real chimney sweep by trade. I hope they have a great day out with us.
Geoff and Chris were here also on the 1800 “Orange Puke”, we are going to try and use him in the middle with his CB, and the colour of his bike will make it really easy for everyone to pick out, also if he makes

Telford and Cheryl…The real Sooti an Sweep

mistakes we will see them too!
 Elaine and Russ arrived from Halifax, these two are also veterans of the 2005 tour and were pleased to see everyone, If you want to hear the salmon joke just ask Elaine but make sure you have all evening to spare because it takes about 4 bottles of wine to tell it!
Deryck with a Y and Jan are the last to introduce to you today, these two are from the far side of York. They are quite new to us, having discovered us only last year, they are fitting in nicely and really enjoying themselves. Deryck is still getting to grips with his wing but is doing OK. Jan looked really  beautiful today on account of her new £100 “hairdo” It was touch and go if she would make an appearance today, as you know ladies hair and bike helmets are not a good combo usually, the best hairstyle is “The Lesbian Short Cut” but without the lesbian bit if you please!

                      Jan of YorkTony had just spoken to Geoff on the phone saying that he had decided to come as well, the trouble is that Tony is sat on his arse back home in Wakefield, and nowhere near ready! He would have to get his skates on as we were approaching H hour.. and yes he too had a red 1800. Drop the hammer and the gaffa tape too..yes he owns a car repair garage.. don’t forget a full tank of petrol too Tony!

  Julie leads the way..Telford rings for help.

Tony of Wakefield joins us in Matlock Bath.

We set off a good few minutes after the hour with me keeping an eye out at the back for Tony, the M1 south was empty of the usual weekday hustle and getting together was easy, we only had a dozen miles or so on this road before turning off towards Chesterfield. Still no sighn of Tony,We took the road round Chesterfield and not through it, one could still see the twisted steeple though away to our right as we pulled up at the first roundabout, still no sign of Tony.
 Chesterfield is the town famous for the

‘Crooked Spire’ of its Parish Church, which stands on the skyline like a question mark – how did it happen? Answers are easy to come by, some blame the Devil, some say lightning, one ‘expert’ even blamed bell ringing! But the truth is a little harder to find. Here’s a clue – the lead tiles which cover the wooden Spire weigh 32 tons! Often overshadowed by its Spire, the Church of St Mary and All Saints is an interesting building in its own right. Dedicated in 1234 it’s the largest church in Derbyshire and is often mistaken for a cathedral.
We passed a little place known as Walton where the local Walton cottage  hospital drew witty remarks about how both Tony and Barry had their own beds, Tony in the old cranks ward, just outside was  an empty ornamental pond to park the 1500 in. Barry’s bed was all strapped ready and largactol calming needle at the ready in a glass case alongside the bar of ready use chocolate. This fine little road took us over the rolling countryside made even more pleasant today by the sun as it brought up the natural greens of the land and the not so natural greens on some of the bikes! 
Barry led us to the usual spot in the car park in Matlock Bath, a hugely popular bikers spot due to the fab roads around the area. Why is it called Matlock Bath you ask? Well Matlock Dave an Julie Sharp 

                                                                                                                          Barry an Tina Walton

Bath is a unique village a few miles to the south of Matlock in Derbyshire, built alongside the River Derwent in a steep and beautiful gorge. It developed as a spa town in the nineteenth century and was extremely fashionable and prosperous, with its spectacular scenery adding to the general appeal. It was visited by the then Princess (later Queen) Victoria on 22 Oct 1832 when she was a guest of the Duke of Devonshire at nearby Chatsworth House and again in 1844. These visits served to enhance the reputation of the resort but eventually, the advent of the railway changed all that by bringing ‘day trippers’ by the score. It was at this time that Matlock Bath developed its inland ‘seaside’ resort image that it still carries today.
 We hugged the tree line, the 14 bikes taking just one bus length, we were prudent in paying too. Tony finally caught up (15) and told us when sat down later that the attendants check the vehicles and get quite cross when they see no tickets and less so if you have a ticket, even though you may have stayed 3 hrs on a 1 hour ticket.
Julie led everyone on a country mile walk through the darkened woods along the river to the far end of Matlock Bath before crossing to the concrete, cars people shops and bikes and of course the first tea stop. A lot of bikers had come out to play as the sun was out even though temperatures were still pretty cool. I thought we might bump into “Humungus” and his good lady like last year but he admits to being in a caravan instead. He blames the good lady for being enticed to the square glass fibre dwelling! I guess given the right circumstances this could happen to any of us (I don’t really mean that, I’m just trying to help the man out for choosing a caravan over a motorbike) We strolled back towards the car park taking in the many bikes along the High Street. I pointed out to Barry the route that Mistress Garmin enticed Julie and I to take last time                                                                              Chris woods and Elaine of The Salmon.

she insisted we rode up through the houses zigging up the hill-side before zagging back down, it was unsuitable for cars (too narrow) and bikes were not allowed according to the sign except for access, the funniest bit was on the downward leg, we were both leaning back as we tipped down and twisted Andy Williams was singing “It’s so easy” (my arse) we negotiated a wheelie bin when a rambler came round the corner, as his eyes met our headlights he quickly stepped aside gripping a drain pipe “Morning, lovely day! I beamed trying not to swear, looking normal and un-stressed. He just looked on, scooping his jaw from the floor. I don’t think he has come this close to a moving singing all dancing 1800cc Honda Goldwing.. his view of us will have been the same as a road traffic victim. Thankfully we had Stelvio experience to keep us shiny side

                                                                                                On whos ample bosum sits this?

up and get us back down to the real road way down there! I think this was one of those times when one ignored Mistress Garmin! Can you imagine the devastation as Wingers crashed into bins, people and kitchen walls! It would have made the evening news if we tried to bring the gang this way and someone would have made a lot of money collecting all the Goldwing  bits rolling to the bottom of the hill!                                          Is this why it goes slowly Hazel?
Instead we took the road up the way out of town turning a few miles ahead as we did last year for a while riding along some fine Derbyshire countryside, we rejoined the road to Bakewell minutes later running along the River Derwent.

We turned up the B6049 edging by Millers Dale and the huge beauty spot down to the left, it was a long deep valley with an ex railway bridge and criss-crossed with paths all leading to the pub. We slowed as we turned up a smaller road as the road narrowed and bustled with Sunday people, as we neared Castleton and the Caverns of Speedwell, Peak, Treak cliff and finally Blue John our next tea stop. It was a long twisting valley, green baize seemingly lined the hills to

 Nottingham’s Joanne.

the left and right of us, I’d like to have gazed more but the roads were lined with people some awake some not! It’s disappointing to see grown people act this way sometimes, I thought they only went brain dead in supermarket car parks. I was knocked off a bike in such a place in Chiswick by some female twat in a jag, on her mobile and chatting to another Asian sitting in the car with her, it makes my fekkin blood boil just to think about it!
 Dean and Joanne were the only couple who paid a visit down the cavern, they were to turn around at this point returning to Nottinghamshire, hence they didn’t make the group shot today. But don’t worry guys you won’t get into trouble. We are one of those few free spirited groups with no rules..except for the golden rules of the road of course! 

                                                                                               A mile or two from Blue John Cavern

 Parking the bikes proved awkward on the crumbling uneven white stone, I saw Deryck with a Y fumble about reversing towards me as I opted to park on grey tarmac up the way a little, so, my ginger friend you don’t smell I just wasn’t comfortable with our landing spot today! People split away to sit and drink and take in the views, some sat and chatted catching up on news and stuff for some a chance to eat tons of ice cream!

         Elaine..Russ..Chris..Ice cream monsters
After an hour or so we got ready to move again but not before the team photo in front of an appropriate sign we had to move on before Dean and Joanne emerged from their visit underground, they were in for a shock when they returned to find everyone gone! Sorry for that, I hope you had a good day with us and look forward to seeing you next time guys. Chapel-en-le-Frith was the place we rode towards next en-route to Glossop, we stopped briefly for petrol before resuming on the twisting exciting run to the two reservoirs on the B6105. This road had

high bankings  topped with solid dry stone walling on both sides, this was a proper little “rat run” One has to be swift in picking a passing opportunity and be equally as swift in getting round, there are plenty of places for a powerful bike to get round safely.

  Babes on a bridge!

 After a couple of hours of playing follow my leader one needed to come alive a bit more. The trikes had a more difficult job getting past traffic, but with Barry shouting “clear road!” from the front on CB giving encouragement to the trikers. One by one they came on, Hazel was still getting to grips with her new 1500 and gave us a show as she whizzed by in heart stopping fashion, bless you Hazel, forever the film star!
The A628 gave everyone a breather as this road was fairly straight and flat, we turned    

left on the slim A6024, I was miles adrift as a slow moving motor-home driven by Mr Dead held up ten cars, I knew the route well because we had ridden the route a few days earlier and told Barry not to slow down I would catch up, Chris and Eve had stopped at the junction all the same to guide me on, you can tell these 2005 veterans can’t you?
The weather had changed a bit as we spotted clouds and a light haze drift over us, having left it briefly we were now right back into The Peak District. The road was quite smooth if a bit narrow, the moors spread out left and right, Saddleworth Moor lay just ten miles to our left and Holmfirth five miles to our front. Holme Moss with the kink loomed up, this was a steep downward left hand curl switching back to the left, I can’t help but shout “STELVIO” again.
Another tea stop was had in Holmfirth,

Passing through Bakewell

we found spaces in the car park before descending on the café made famous in “Last of the summer wine” noisily we plundered seats, a little like that noisy flock of young Starlings landing at the bird table…only we weren’t Starlings and neither were we young!  Before we could start ripping Velcro, one of the girls behind the counter suggested  we take ourselves to the outside bit around the back, quick to take a hint we upped sticks and went around the back! Perfect, for the smokers, perfect for the room and perfect for the quiet Sunday folk in the café round the front! Tea and scones for those that fancied, I didn’t at first then saw Tina’s Cherry and fancied it! She gave me half of her cherry and I gladly licked it up, leaving most on my face! Having read that bit again there are those that might think something “Iffie” was going on It’s not, usually at this point we both end up on the floor in a torrid love clich! but today Tina was not feeling too good and my arse and neck were aching. I’m putting it down to tiredness not old age!
A few broke away from here on to head back towards Wakefield  and South Yorkshire, The end of the ride was ahead ten miles or so at Huddersfield, we decided to leave here too as my body was aching hear and there, Julies neck was playing up today as well. Tony on the “Orange Puke” would cover for me for the short run to Huddersfield, he has a good CB and is easy to pick out by Barry at the front! We zoomed of towards Wakefield soon to catch and pass “Sooti and Sweep” on the red 1800 trike on their way to Ackworth, we just caught Tony Walton on his new 1500 “pondlife” Hazel just behind hugging the road with all three wheels for a change! They turned off near Flockton heading home to Barnsley. We headed off alone through Wakefield and onto Doncaster landing in Hatfield to be met by “Lightning” the oss and “Pooka” our three legged pussy.
Today was not a huge mile muncher of a ride out, not a great deal unusual or hugely funny happened, even though according to several APPY WANDERSERS a certain twisted spiteful soul is at this moment bursting a gut via a motorbike  forum to find out if something bad happened on one of  our recent  ride-outs. You sad old individual come out of that dark bottled world and join us in the open sunshine Instead,  both you and Je… (oops nearly!) have been invited on several occasions, honestly  you don’t know how much fun your missing out on! You’d have to leave your motor home at home though, it’s strictly Honda Goldwings motorbike /  trikes…and there’s no vote or “nobbling” allowed!
Being out with a group of like minded folk on Honda Goldwing motorbikes and trikes can be mind blowing… an assorted rainbow of pleasing and not so pleasing colours from deep blue, lush lipstick reds, shiny silvers, puke oranges and of course that odd looking Algae green 1500 with the loose wiring as ridden by Mr Walton (bows to on setting dementure and loud applause dotted with hoots of laughter) I have to admit though the rich green 1500 trike suited Hazel much better! It’s all character building and good for the soul…especially if it’s sunny! It gave the new guys a glimpse of what our ride outs are about, it gave folk practice with riding in a group (always a learning curve) Tips and hints were passed to each other on how to do this and that. Whilst the Derbyshire countryside had plenty for the eyes to feast on it gave our lungs the chance to breath in the country air. That uncouth heathen Tony Walton found the sheep quite tempting especially the youngsters, muttering something about mint sauce! Unfortunately Matlock Bath has fallen out of favour with Julie somewhat these days because her favourite Sci -Fi book shop has closed! Barry and Tina got to ride some unfamiliar roads, I got to see my friends again and finally the good folk of Derbyshire were treated to the APPY WANDERERS bike road show!

TILATERONTHEN 
                     THE SCRIBE

AAAAAAAAAAAARRGH! Came the cry from the kitchen, Heather came bolting out, “That bloody dog” I muttered as I sat half asleep waiting at the table for my bacon sarni. He groaned again, puzzled I tottered into the kitchen to find Barry gripping the work top as hot spasms of pain shot through him, “My backs gone, my backs gone, all I did was turn” I squirted brown sauce onto my bacon, and thought his timing was crap! I was still suffering from a heavy head cold and chesty cough and was not sure if I would be up for today and now Barry goes and does this! We both sat at the table feeling old before our time. Barry found some dickliwhatsit tablets that would relax his pain.  Meanwhile I had weaned myself of the antibiotics last night and sipped Lemsip No 47 of the week. Bloody good start this is!

Thirty minutes later we got into our bike kit, I put layer upon layer on to combat my cold whilst Barry propped himself against the wall and pulled his winter trews on. We must have looked like the English version of “The Odd Couple”  Im sure!  if it wasn’t for everyone we would have binned it there and then! Our wives were not with us today, Tina was in Bulgaria and Julie was in charge of the ranch.  We were going to share Nick the Freak between us, but now I would have him all to myself.

At 08.30 we arrived at Colin Appleyards motorbike showroom in Keighley and picked up Tony Walton on his new 1500, it was a nice fishpond green in colour, he tried saying it was something green, all posh like, but no it was deffo the colour of summer pond water, Hazel was missing today too, the babe count was going downhill fast. Lynne saved the day as she shimmied up with John and the curvy 1800 purple trike, Geoff and Christine came next on their 1800 Protestant orange statement, I have to avert my eyes on this glum morning, its just too bloody bright!  Colin and Ann Topley arrived, they were masked up in an effort to keep the cold breeze away, it didn’t look too good at the moment cloud and more cloud gathered over us and swirled about, here and there one could catch a glimpse of blue sky but to be honest it felt like it was going to rain. Derek and Heather came with Dean following closely, this was his first day with us and he had ridden up from Nottingham.

 Tony Walton and Dean of Nottingham.

It really wasn’t standing around weather but we stood and waited just in case any latecomers turned up. I took some names of unfamiliar Wanderers for the log, like the couple from Pudsey on their grey Lehman trike. Barry lit yet another roll up and tried to keep mobile whilst I just tried to keep warm. Nick was engaged in a roll up too, I could see he really wished he was mobile and didn’t have to be a back seater today, it’s not something that comes easy to a biker used to being up front. OK that’s it lets go! Gladly we all mounted and pushed of towards Skipton on the speedy bypass, it’s odd how the cold goes away when you’re on the road, it really is the smallest of discomforts isn’t it?
Skipton market place.

Sitting at Skipton was Deryck with a Y and Jan with their blue 1800, he says he still feels new on it, this will hopefully change by this seasons end as he gets the miles under his belt and tastes a few dramas, eventually he will feel the bikes envelope, so don’t worry practice makes perfect Deryck, well for most folk….. C.C sat on the old blue 1500 flashing his new gizmo at everyone, it looked to be some kind of council light stick on the end of a long black rampant rabbit which was lodged just behind Mrs CC, It crowed, woofed, mooed, squeaked and farted as Ian pressed knob after knob thinking it highly amusing to impress the unimpressed Skiptonians as they strolled by, they were grimacing not grinning. The younger bikers have the nutter amongst them always pulling wheelies and pratting about…we have the C.C’s and their silly klaxon!

 
   Colin and Anne Topley…wishing they were elsewhere!

Skipton happily saw us leave on the A65 towards Kirkby Lonsdale and the last pick up point at “Devils Bridge”. This great road encouraged greater speeds as we upped the pace unfortunately farmers use the roads too for short hops from farm to farm and Farmer Tom was taking his favourite muck spreader for a spin, we pulled in behind him in a long line astern and waited for places to overtake. From the rear I saw Barry skip round him and the rest began to follow nipping by as the road straightened for short stretches, the purple trike dashed around it and the 1800’s made hardly an effort compared to this elderly and heavy1500 as it lurched past, Nick and I commented as it wallowed in the dip and its exhausts coughed in protested.  I have owned both and know that there is a world of difference between the boxy 1500 and streamlined 1800, and that’s before any weight or riding style is taken into account. They have different requirements when performing similar tasks, the orange thing nipped by previously as two cars came on, Geoff had loads of room so no drama unfurled. This road certainly made some rusty bikers get reaffirmed with forgotten riding skills. Next came the Pudsey grey trike, he saw a straight piece of road pulled out and gunned it, sweeping by effortlessly, I of course followed in their wake thank you very much!

The police were out in force today as the TV announced it was the first day of the bike season…Oh what tosh, I’ve been out practically all year on my 650 ratter and the 1800 has been out since March with Barry! A strange copper in his police car sat smiling and waved at us as we passed, I waved a girlie wave back as thoughts of an ambush came to mind….yes a camera car was half a mile ahead looking to collect pieces of eight for the councils coffers. I think the police should do something more drastic if they really are serious about cutting road deaths, compulsory and yearly bike training/track days, or working in a hospital casualty room in the month of August or something along the lines of confiscating your bike for the whole summer if you really go OTT.  A  time and a place for everything is always my motto, this morning though a nice man in an oncoming silver 4×4 gave us warning of the trap, not that we needed it.
We picked up some gemstones at Devils Bridge….. down from Dumfries came Stephen, a tall and gentle agitator with his Jane. These two often switch places on the red trike and both are capable trike pilots. Steven is a cause of constant amusement for me, he is quite the opposite to me, he is subtle gentle,                                                                                    Devils Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale

thought provoking and quite a witty piss taking bastard! He does it so well that some folk don’t realise what he has said. Ian and M from Carlisle put in a rare showing today on their Lord of the Rings 1800, truly a stunning crowd pleaser, it certainly gets the kids going.  One can learn a lot from this old fart! If you get the chance to ride with him do so.

In the past Ian, Barry and I have had some wonderful days out scorching tarmac, I remember one corner in particular on one sunny Thursday, somewhere on the twisting road to Hawes, I nearly did a drive through at speed through a quiet little farm on a corner!! Then there was that recovery bloke who thought he was going to be taken by three of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse as we bore down on him at a swift rate of knots down the narrowest of roads. Sitting here now I can recount many such occasions. I remember my virginal ride down the mighty Grossglockner over there in Austria with Ian, it was so far THE moment of my biking life, So true and sad that all good things come to an end!

The pretty half of The Pudsey Trike!

We found spots to park up and grabbed tea and sandwiches, joining jet jockies, retro riders that made up the leather mix that milled around the bikes. Thirty minutes later climbed aboard the bikes again to head off to Morecambe, today’s full compliment was 13 bikes, of which three were 1800 well handled trikes,  21 happy contented folk out to enjoy our country side.

 
It was getting brighter more blue bits showed through the clouds and for longer periods, we zipped along the twisting B6254 easing by slow running blind Sunday drivers, Sunday brings out the once a week drivers, at least we didn’t see any caravans or worse (motorhomes) Nature dictates safety in numbers and sure enough the cars slow down and pull over to let us pass. As back door man I always wave a thank you or prod a thumbs up in their direction for their courteous gesture, Gawping faces turn to smiles and the odd wave back.

We entered Morecambe from the east and rode along the prom, the wind was really blowing at us from seaward, it was making my eyes run and was bloody cold, the clouds had gone by now, leaving a pure blue ceiling above us, the distant hills across the bay still had snow, surely we had seen the last of winter Nick and I thought. Morecambe was quite full and we had to park in the municipal car park by the market, the man let us park for free if we got in tight together, which was a nice gesture I thought. I went to look at the seafront and promptly lost sight of everyone! I looked up and down the front and saw a nice modern coffee house and got myself comfy and ordered a large coffee and toast. Two more Wanderers soon joined me, Deryck with a Y and Jan ordered tea and soup, we chatted a while about this and that,            

The Barry Walton muppet Show!

soon I left them to it and tracked back to the fudge shop to buy for Julie then made my way back to our nest of wings in the car park, others were already there with a few bags of trinkets, in mine was three bars of fudge.

Tony announced he would part from us on the way, he had to get back early as a baby was due in the family, It was good to see him on his bike, it was a nice example of the old 1500 even though it was the colour of summer pond water! We left via Lancaster, Lancaster I have to say looked quite historic and tidy, was that just because the sun was giving us its full attention now I wondered. We stayed as one until Tony turned off, we climbed past the M6 upwards into the area known as The Trough of Bowland

         Tony Walton

  Apparently it’s a popular misconception that its known as the land where bows were made (Forest of Bowland) No, its stated that the name was coined in 1923 from the 10th century  Norse word “bogi” meaning bend in a river (it runs in the Hodder Basin near Slaidburn) It’s a beautiful unspoilt area, whatever it’s called! We pulled over high on a ridge to take in the views across to Heysham and Morecambe, they say on a clear day one can see the Isle of Man, today was not that clear. We had the official team photo of the day with the stone tower as the back drop. This is a sturdy squat tower and was built to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee.

 Not many vehicles were on these roads so we could relax a bit and really enjoy the views, the few cars we did encounter moved over or stopped to let us pass. It’s quite spectacular and we ran gently down towards Dunsop Bridge to our next tea stop at the side of the road, again only a dozen or so cars were around, perhaps most were stuck in jams on our motorways? Lynne took her third call of nature by the river, she was on a roll now since the episode in the car park by the Audi in Innsbruck last year, thanks for the heads up on that Stephen, the cheque is in the post!

                                             Dave Sharp……The Wanderers Scribe

It was mid afternoon, the day matured nicely and warmed as the valley gave shelter from the wind. This was a nice spot for a brew and for Barry to light up another roll up. On again we got and rode up out of the valley dropping down the other side, the colours were very Spring like, deep greens dotted with yellow blobs as clumps of daffodils pointed towards the sun, trumpeting the arrival of Spring, little lambs seemed to be in abundance in the fields, running away as the Appy Wanderers circus rode past, I really do hope we have seen the last of the damn snow! Stephen and Jane left us next on their deep red 1800 trike, we waved goodbye tilnextime. Thanks for the DVD’s mate! Ian and M also left us here, a quick drop of his shoulder and they peeled left to follow the trike northwards to Carlisle. I hope they come again.

 
We soon reached civilisation at Clitheroe and took the A59 all the way to Skipton but not before losing a couple more Wanderers, that’s the good thing about the Appy Wanderers, you can join where you like and leave where you like and its all free!  A last tea stop in Skipton and a bag of cheap bread was purloined by myself and Heather for a quid each. “Its not the money” I hear Barry singing! The upstairs room in the bakery echoed to the sounds of light hearted bitching and baiting, even Colin (Ex R.N Gunner) got in some long range shots from the back, He dared to question the structural integrity of the café floor directly under the gang sitting in the corner scoffing cream and chokkies. I have to say Colin would have had a serious point if we had called in on our outward bound leg!  We left the gun deck ….I mean café intact and waltzed back to the bikes to say final farewells of the day. I think it fair to say everyone enjoyed most of the day, personally I found getting out of bed at 06.30hrs to choke on another awful lemsip was the worst part of my day!
Barry and I set of for our customary lat mission instruments check along the fast bypass back to Keighley, we tried our lights, horns, music volume and blew all remaining dust and grit from our vents, etc, I get well stuffed with it all as I ride behind all you guys, Barry on the other hand gets all the bugs etc as he clears the path for you at the front! We stop for the last time at the clubhouse, Nick has had a day on the back and enjoyed it I think, I know it’s quite difficult on the back when one is used to being at the front! It’s Monday now and I’m still not 100% and still have the stiff neck, over in Keighley Barry still has the bayonet between his blades and is still taking the tablets, You guys have been lucky today seeing as we have not been as sharp as usual and some clangers may have gone unnoticed. It had still been a  great day and we are very glad we made the effort. I’m away now for a Jagarmaister or three, park bench here I come! ( I have three in the garden and one’s a swinger)

Tillateronthen 

PS.

A big thanks very much to Christine and Heather for the photographs on todays adventure.    xxx