Skipton

Mad panic for about 3 days - what will the weather do? All forecasts say snow and freezing temperatures - but are they right? Well, yes and no is the answer (as always). I woke up this morning to bright sunshine - but a bit cool (OL 2 degrees). So, a quick email to all to say the ride is on and off I trot to the starting point.

Peter and Mark are already there (keen!!) and the others arrive as the morning gets going. At the end, we have 8 bikes and 3 pillions - so an acceptable number. Breakfast is soon consumed (John enjoyed his eggshell with sausage, and Judy really enjoyed her free coffee) and we head off out to the bikes.

But, the weather is definitely set to turn worse, so we decide that discretion is the word and head over the hills to Skipton. Only about a 45 minute run but pleasant over the back roads and (for the moment) dry. A small "moment" where a blue mercedes wants to drive where Derek is - but we soon sort him out!

Once in Skipton, we park up and head up to the Castle for a wander around and to get some education. [And for those with small bladders to get to a loo]. Fun and merriment follows and we eventually had for a nice cafe for some lunchtime grub. As we are eating, the clouds come over and the snow starts to rain down upon us. So, a quick dash to the bikes and we head off home. We have to stop half way when Alan realises that the reason he can't see is that he still has his dark visor on. Then, a mad dash up the motorway and home to wash the salt off the bike.

So, not a long ride - but at least we got out and saw some sunshine.

As always - some pictures.

At the start. Note the sunshine and Grahams new bus (well, it is a bit different from his Hayabusa!)
We head off.
Parking in Skipton. Mark decides he's too close to the cars and has to move - with a little help from his friends (Yes, I was in the middle of the road, holding up the traffic to take this pic)
Then, a group photo while we wait for the castle to open (we were 5 minutes early - Gary, take note - we don't have to be late)
A quick dash for some people !
Then, we wandered around the castle, guided by Judy who had the map!
Mark decided he ought to try this dancing lark - while Graham was auditioning for the job as a gnome.
As you may have noticed, Gary was not with us. His angels, missing his warm body, were soon looking for an acceptable substitute - and they found him.
Once all that was over, we sauntered outside to search for food. We soon found a nice cafe and Judy had her favourite - can you guess what it is?
The rest of us cleared out plates before I remembered the camera!
Then back outside into the snow and home.