Phil's the Pathfinder’s Report from his prolific keyboard

Our Camping Weekend

Some of the group, in the sun, at the Cock Inn.

Centre 15’s own camping weekend this year was at the COCK INN, Luddesdown near Cuxton. The landlord (Andrew) himself is a member and owner of a Virago and a Drag Star who kindly let us camp in his field.

I was given the task of organising the run out for the Saturday and, with only a couple of months to go and only three spare Sundays, I made time to go out and plan the run. Just a simple rough circle was the plan; the outcome was quite a good ride (so I was informed). Having done the ride myself a couple of times I was left with the feeling that some of the lanes I’d found might have been a bit narrow. Well after the run to Biggles Bar my mind was put at ease. My little lanes had tarmac (C’mon Phil, I just took a wrong turning there, that’s all J – Ed).

I arrived late on the Friday having had trouble with a plumber that didn’t turn up on the Wednesday and helping the second plumber who kindly stood in on the Friday and together fitted a bathroom and moved the stench pipe all in one day. Tent pitched and off to the pub to join the others for a drink. Now I only drink at Christmas (what’s all the laughing for?). No, I only drink when I go out with the club and I drink cider. Well, this pub hade four sorts, quite strong as well. As a result Saturday morning saw me not feeling too good in the stomach region. Fragile you might say.

I thought we had a good turn out with 8 tents camping, but we ended up with 15 bikes for the ride out. Impressed to say the least, it was very nice to see everybody turn up. The ride itself went without a hitch and we stopped at the Oakdene Café for a bite to eat on the way back. I could only just face food by this time and my eyes proved too big for my belly when other people had to help me with my chips.

Saturday night I kept away from the gut rot having just one, (no really, just one) lemonade for me as I needed to have a clear head the next day. I will say it was nice to get away from the upheaval indoors but had to try to sort things out on my return making good around the bath etc. I must say a special thank you to Andrew and his wife for the breakfasts on the Saturday and Sunday, which they kindly prepared for us. It was also nice to see Dave B, whose bike is off the road at the moment, and an ex-member, (Tony Moran – Ed) who is off to Spain to live.

Well I hope to see more campers next year and not just for our own weekend but for a few V.S.O.C. rallies and show the rest of the club that we do have some members that camp.

Well, enjoy your biking I know I will.

PHIL (Pathfinder)