Having recovered from the Scrumpies Rally (which I thoroughly enjoyed inspite of my stressed look), it was time to start thinking of another run-out. The weather for the weekend was promising so a call to Ed and Sue to see if they wanted to meet up for lunch on Sunday, general consensus was yes but would confirm on Saturday evening. Saturday evening came and Sue suggested a run to a place called “The Vyne” near Basingstoke – all we knew was that it was a National Trust place (stately home and gardens) but it seemed a good place for elderly people to go on a Sunday so we cordially invited Paul to join us. (Ouch ! ed) 10.30 am Sunday morning four machines, cleaned bright and shiny after the previous weekend, were gathered outside Ed and Sue’s house all fuelled up ready to go – except for Ed that is – after a quick stop at the local petrol station we set off. The ride was pleasant and reasonably cool apart from the stop at some temporary traffic lights by major road works and we were soon at the signpost pointing to The Vyne, a sharp left turn on to a track a little wider than one car and then along the tree lined route up to the car park. It would appear that they don’t get many bikers visiting as there were parking areas allocated for everything except bikes however one lady ushered us into a corner by the pay desk where we disembarked and disrobed in our usual fashion locking all surplus clothing to the bikes. Being National Trust it was not a place of mad excitement but the gardens were very neat and tranquil, our first stop was the tea room where we fortified ourselves with a nice strong cuppa and a piece of cake prior to visiting the main house itself. Once in the house it was a case of follow the arrows so that you made sure you saw everything and missed nothing, for me the architecture, furniture and general décor was very good and in every room there was a member of staff who could tell you in detail about the items on display, I think we all enjoyed our little trip into the past. Outside again we completed the tour of the gardens and made our way back to the car park via, of course, the “Shop” the girls were a bit disappointed that there were no clothes to buy but Sue had to have something and came away with a bottle of ginger cordial. Back at the bikes the lady in the pay desk came out to tell us how our bikes had caused quite a stir with other visitors marvelling at the chrome and shiny paintwork, apparently my mirrors were quite popular. By now we were ravenous so headed back towards Reading and stopped at The College Arms for a 3 o’clock lunch, the food was great and plenty of it then it was back to Ed and Sue’s for a cuppa before making our way home, only 80 miles on the clock but it was a great day.
Richard