Woke up, opened the curtains and a lovely blue sky beckoned. OK, I lied - it was pouring with rain. But that has never stopped me before and it wasn't going to today. So, on with the clothes, a quick breakfast are rolled the bike out - just as the rain stopped. A blat up the motorway and I arrived at the start point (Poplar 2000) to find Derek, Keith, Sam, Geoff & Lyn already there. So, that was 4 bikes at least. John & Judy and Malc & Val turned up before we set off so that was the highest proportion of pillions ever (66% if anyone is interested).

We set off - late, of course - and headed down the A49 following Garys excellent route. The roads seemed a bit busy, but we soon turned off onto some back roads around Winsford and Nantwich. Progress was made, everyone seemed happy and soon enough we arrived down at Blist Hill and into the car park. Where they wanted to charge us £1.50 each !!! Cheek - but we had to pay since there was an attendant wandering around.

About this time, Norma turned up in the car (she has a bad ankle and cannot ride) along with a picnic. By this time the sun was streaming down and we all sat on the grass and enjoyed a scrumptious lunch. There wasn't much left by the time we had finished! Once we had cleared away, the group split into 2 - those who were going in and those who wanted to explore Ironbridge more. So we agreed to meet back at the car park in 2 hours time and they wandered off to have a play.

[Keiths story now]

Well as Al & Co decided to go into the Blists Hill Victoria Town, Myself the wife (Sam) Derek, Geoff & Lyn decided to take the short trip to Ironbridge which was just short of 2 miles away.

Managed to get a parking spot just at the bridge itself to find Derek riding off into the sunset, OK who had said something to upset him eh? No-one had, just that as he was riding a Pan he had no room to turn it round so had to tour the high street to get the beast turned round.

So off we strode to tour the shops. Geoff stayed clear and waited whilst we window shopped. This took all of 15 minutes, so we wandered across the bridge because we could.

It was then off for a Brazilian with Earl. That would be 4 black Brazilian coffees by the way and an Earl Gray Tea for Derek (the snob) at the Tea Emporium. A wander down to the side of the bridge for a photo opportunity and a chat then back to the bikes to get back to Blists Hill to meet up with the rest of the clan.

[End of Keiths bit]

The rest of us went into the Victorian Village. It was pleasant and we had a hose & trap ride and bought Victorian sweets - but it was very expensive for what you got. So, they won't get our vote in their National competition - sorry.

Once back outside, we got back into the riding gear and headed back up the A49 since nobody really wanted to do the rest of Garys route (it ended up in the wrong place for everyone). The pace was good and we got all the way to Chomondley before a tea stop was needed. We found an excellent pub and drinks and food were ordered and consumed. Lovely. Someone got hold of my camera and managed to use up some of my memory - as you will see below.

The last bit of the ride was back up to the M56 where we all went our separate ways.

The obligatory photos. Thanks to Norma, Derek  & Keith for their contributions.