Barnard

!st April - April Fools day. A good day for a long trip. Made even better when I get a phone call at 8:50 from Steve who proudly announces he will be there in 10 minutes. But, I pointed out, we don't start until 10:30...... [oops].

Turn up at the appointed time to find 15 bikes raring to go. So, off we toddle up the motorway. Off at the correct turn, left, right and - oh dear - Gary's gone the wrong way; and he's taken half the pack with him. 5 mins delay while Norma hairs off to catch them.

We carry on. Get all the way to Haworth (about 20 miles) when Gary decides its time to teach everyone the 'buddy' system. 20 mins delay including time for Mike to find his CBR600 (nice colours) leaks coolant. But we carry on.

Next stop at Kettlewell for Mike to feast and the rest of us to relieve. We set off, me leading. I immediately turn right (well, it says "Leyburn" this way) onto a single track, 1 in 4 road. 16 miles of this. We even managed to make one passenger sick over the humps (sorry !). But we all met up again and proceeded into Barnard Castle (with a small wait and a wrong turn).

Had a nice lunch and a walk to the castle. Set off again. Geoff tells me he is turning back while we proceed in the opposite direction. As he turns off, half the pack follow him. Agghhhh ! more delays.

Stop for petrol and the heavens open. So we decide discretion is the better part of valour and leg it down the M6 home. Hit all the Lake District traffic and weave our way speedily through. Home by 6:30, clean the bikes and soak in the bath.

Pictures:

Our first major stop. Outside a pub, but we didn't use its facilities.
Mike and others wondering how to fix a CBR600.
Our second stop -for butties and the loo.
Well, we finally made it. Here's the crowd outside Barnard Castle.
The final proof. Steve and Ian getting hungry
Inside. We all wondered who nicked the roof.