Wayne's Water World!

What a glorious day Saturday was, but the good weather came and went a day too soon. The forecast for Sunday was awful, and after a few phone calls, it was decided to leave the decision to postpone until the morning. As expected, we awoke to the sound of rain hammering against the window.

Arlene was up early getting ready for her 5 hour journey ooopt north to see Ouma (her mum) who has just had a knee operation and to look after her dad (Oupa) for a few days.  A few more phone calls and an email from Dave, and the decision was delayed further......until we got to the Elly to see who would show up. FfffPete agreed to do the same at the 3 Pigs. The rain had stopped by the time I left home and as I turned into the Elly car park the unmistakeable smell of bacon frying drifted into my crash helmet. Jo, true to her word, was up to cook us all breakfast! And what a bacon sarny it was. I can see this becoming a Vulture Sunday tradition!

In a short space of time, Dave, Ed & Sue, Spider & Jo, Big Nick & his daughter (sorry....you know what my memory is like........I'm suffering from Altzheimers and deja vue.....I keep thinking I've forgotten this before!), and Paul had assembled and the view was....to hell with it, let's not let Wayne down. So, off we set and were unlucky not to make it all the way to Hungerford before hitting a shower.  By the time, FfffPete, Jan, Barry and Ken arrived it was tipping down. Undaunted we set off hoping the skies may clear as we travelled West.  It was not to be.

Apart from a detour of a few hundred yards, I managed to navigate our way there, and we made excellent time despite the conditions. I must confess, I was relieved to get to the pub when we did, as the cold was beginning to penetrate, as was the rain through the seams of my waterproof jacket!

The roast beef, roast chicken and vegetable lasagne went down a treat, and all too soon we were getting kitted up for our return. The conditions on the way back were horrendous. The puddles either side of the road were just about meeting in the middle, but fortunately all of the cars we encountered were considerate and gave way to us, without drenching us. I usually dislike immensely the bit where riders gradually peel off from the pack to go their separate ways home.  Today was different...it meant I was getting nearer home and a warm bath too.

Most people would consider us mad even to think about riding for four hours in such dire conditions, but despite everything......I thoroughly enjoyed the day. Good friends, good company, good food.....what better way to spend Sunday, and judging by the phone calls and emails I've already had, those that went certainly agree.