Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Rides and Touring => Topic started by: Kim on 21 July, 2019, 12:36:34 pm
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http://twiteystipis.co.uk/
Update:
In light of the pitches-for-several-small-tents arrangements, I've agreed to coordinate a group booking. The site have agreed to take individual payments through their website - you should book a standard grass pitch (unless you fancy the luxury of a tipi or a yurt), and say you're with YACF in the notes field of the booking form. The payment system automagically adds a car fee to the booking[1], but they will refund this in cash on arrival if you turn up by bike.
Let me know if you're coming, so we have a firm idea of numbers.
Current attenders (in order of appearance):
andrewc
Kim
cycleman (but not Apollo)
?Clariflies
bikepacker ?+another (circumstances permitting)
Cudzoziemiec
Salvatore
JBB
Wowbagger
?Canardly
I make that 8 confirmed and 1 possibles.
Anyone else?
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Breaking this out from the Instead-of-Midlenhall thread (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=111994.0):
I found a camping site near Stratford upon Avon called twiteys tipis , lowe farm,
Hunscote lane, weĺlesbourne,Warwick, Warwickshire cv35 9ex which might make a nice forum meeting place
Having had time to have a proper look, it does seem promising. Facilities, FIRE, non-tent options for anyone who's logistically challenged. And they'll have more than one small tent on a 10m pitch.
Location is an easy ride from Stratford-upon-Avon (which has bike-friendly local trains to Stourbridge via Middle Earth, and Leamington Spa), or a bit further from Coventry, which is on the mainline.
[...] some good cycling around those parts. The roads into Stratford can all be a bit busy, but you can find nice rolling lanes in most other directions.
I also note the airfield opposite the site has an audax-approved cafe (and, undoubtedly, wheelpants), as does the hayfever centre at Charlecote. It's also within cycling distance of Henley-in-Icecream.
I know of Michael Twite that owns the place - he's a landscape gardener and his men did a load of work at our house in SuA about 2004 - I didn't know he was doing the camping stuff.
Various positive comments above are all pretty true : there is an easy and safe way into SuA via Loxley, the Touchdown Cafe at Wellesbourne Airfield (about 400 yards from Michael's place) is a regular push and motor-cycle stop serving the all-day breakfast to die for and the ultimate bread-pudding (it's also an Audax control now and again), there is a Sainsburys about a mile away, a Co-op and 2 pubs in Wellesbourne, a few places of interest around with loads of quiet lanes ... and there's an LBS called Cycle Route Warks in the centre of Wellesbourne village managed by a smashing bloke who's really helpful*
The one possible downside, but only for a few hours, is that there is a MASSIVE market at Wellesbourne Airfiled (the other side from the campsite) on Saturdays and Bank Holiday Mondays (from about 0900 - 1500) and traffic on the main Warwick/M40junc - Stow/Cirencester road gets busy.
Rob
* there's a picture of the LBS manager at left hand side of this post ;D
Plan is for the weekend of the 7th of September.
[1] Not sure if this is bad web design, or due to too many people turning up with cars they hadn't paid for.
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I have the first 2 weeks in September booked as leave. This would be right in the middle of it. I could take a meandering route down from Liverpool & then ride on somewhere from Wellesbourne.
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It's local, so I'm up for it. Barakta possibly, depending on mobility.
I've just noticed it's the Coventry $kyRide HSBC Let's Ride (https://www.letsride.co.uk/events/coventry) on the Sunday, so if anyone wanted a rare opportunity to cycle a lap of Coventry's notorious ring road (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUSZcKiPLxY) without splatty DETH (perhaps on the way to a train?) there's your chance.
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I have the first 2 weeks in September booked as leave. This would be right in the middle of it. I could take a meandering route down from Liverpool & then ride on somewhere from Wellesbourne.
You could bring your own tipi!
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I shall be working at the shop until 1530 on the Saturday but would be up for something in the late PM/evening and very probably the Sunday. The local cycle club has a number of tried and tested local routes that could be used?
Not camping for me - stopped doing that about 45 years ago - I only live 7 miles away.
Rob
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Anyone else up for this ?
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Not me, I'm shifted on at work that weekend.
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Me and apollo :)
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We probably are up for it.
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I still have it pencilled in as I am hoping to be there, it will however depend on how Pauline is at the time. The good thing is it is only 40+ miles from home so getting back urgently wouldn't be a problem.
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I have the first 2 weeks in September booked as leave. This would be right in the middle of it. I could take a meandering route down from Liverpool & then ride on somewhere from Wellesbourne.
Yep. Gotta getta bizee on cycle.travel.
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I see no reason why I shouldn't attend.
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I'll try and get there, it sounds good!
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This still happening, I've negotiated a pass out!
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I have just put it in the diary!
I shall have to leave some time on Sunday as I have promised my pal Penny that I will be available on Monday 9th to fetch & carry should she need me to. She's having her second cataract op.
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I'm not far away normally, but away that weekend.
The Sustrans route from Warwick to Stratford via Wellesbourne takes you through Loxley with its ancient church and possibly doomed local. The cafe at Wellesbourne airfield is well known for its breakfasts, though I can't vouch for it personally. Do they still do markets/car boot sales at the airfield? If so, the area will be heaving.
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The Touchdown Cafe at the airfield (actually opposite the end of the lane from Michael Twite's glamping site) is the area's go-to for the all day breakfast (and other more wholesome food) push and motor-cyclists - as I mentioned up-thread there is a massive market on the airfield (access from the A429) from about 0800-1530 on Saturdays.
I'll keep an eye on this thread for a bit more detail/attendees and probably tootle over after I close my LBS in Wellesbourne and/or Sunday morning.
Rob
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I have tickets. The princely sum of £8.20 all the way from Southend Central to Leamington Spa, and the same amount back again. I arrive in L Spa at 13.25 on the Friday. Booked into the 13.46 back home again on the Sunday. So a leisurely 10-mile-ishpotter to and from. What's the B4087 like for cycling?
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I have tickets. The princely sun of £8.20 all the way from Southend Central to Leamington Spa, and the same amount back again. I arrive in L Spa at 13.25 on the Friday. Booked into the 13.46 back home again on the Sunday. So a leisurely 10-mile-ishpotter to and from. What's the B4087 like for cycling?
No problem - I rode from LSpa to Wellesbourne (and then home to SuA) yesterday on all but about 300 yards of the route from the station to the point where I joined the B4087 in LSpa- a bit built up to start with for the first 2.5km or so but then open country thereafter (watch out for vehicles with strange reflective tape patterns on them - it's the area to spot new vehicles under test from Jaguar Land Rover and Aston Martin - the drivers are pretty careful about avoiding cyclists!)
You would probably be in time to get a cup of tea at the Touchdown Cafe (I think it closes at 1530) - or there's a cafe in the middle of Wellesbourne that closes at 1600 (when you get to the T junction on the B4087 with the B4086 look to the left and across the road by the light controlled crossing and you'll see it)
Rob
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Still planning to cycle down over several days from Liverpool. Do we just rock up & hope or has an area been booked ?
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Sadly can't make as (luckily) camping at Knepp that weekend
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Still planning to cycle down over several days from Liverpool. Do we just rock up & hope or has an area been booked ?
Cycleman's technically disorganising this one (I just rounded the posts up into one thread), but having looked at the website I note that:
a) You can fit several small tents on one pitch
b) The price is per person, so sharing pitches doesn't actually make things any cheaper (indeed, with an additional fee for an oversized pitch, it's actually more expensive).
Might be worth coordinating bookings so we don't all end up on separate pitches, though? I'm happy to make the booking if we can get a decent idea of numbers... (Has anyone booked already?)
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That would be appreciated Kim as I am not a natural organizer.
I'm coming but apollo has a trip planned which might clash :)
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I haven't booked. I would be grateful if you were to take charge of this, Kim.
Jan and I are buggering off Oop Noorth for a week, starting in about an hour. Will be back on Monday. Will have to try to remember what to do to go cycle camping.
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Will have to try to remember what to do to go cycle camping.
Bike, tent, sleeping bag, change of clothes, stove, mug, coffee and/or tea. Twice as much money as originally planned. Everything else is optional. ;D
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My position is the same as previously stated and hope I am still pencilled in. I am keen to be there but it will depend on what is said to Pauline at her next hospital appointment on the 5th.
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Okay, I've emailed the site to see what the best way to handle the booking is. I've updated the OP to say who I think is coming. Firm numbers would obviously help, though I expect they'll be fine with a last-minute addition or two if it doesn't affect the required number of pitches.
Any more takers? Especially important to know if anyone was interested in staying in a tipi rather than camping...
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I will see if I can get a pass. Will have to be moto assist. Yurt/tipi not needed. O:-) Logistics are more difficult than they used to be.
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You can unquestion me.
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Just received a response from the campsite:
Many thanks for your email and it's pretty much yes to all of your queries.
We would be delighted to have you all stay with us and you can book online individually (mention in NOTES your group name) and yes numbers can be added.
If you book online it automatically takes a payment for cars but we refund that (in cash) to those arriving on bikes.
I hope that all helps and please feel free to call me if you need more info.
Which all sounds pretty positive.
So:
1) Let me know you're coming if you're not already listed as confirmed in the OP.
2) Book as "standard grass pitch" with the campsite, saying that you're with YACF in the 'notes field in the booking form. Should be £10/adult/night, plus £6/night for a car that you can't not book.
3) Non-motorists collect £6/night cash refund on arrival.
:thumbsup:
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Not camping but probably up for day ride on Sunday and/or anything on the Saturday after 1530 - presumably some sort of plan/timetable will be published here?
Rob
PS: Any bike issues - cycle shop in Bridge Street in the centre of Wellesbourne is open 0900-1700 Friday, 0830-1530 Saturday
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Yes, it would be good to have a plan, (or at least an idea for a destination and nominal start time) for a ride, although I expect most people will want to do that on the Saturday before heading home on Sunday. If nothing else, there may be enthusiasm for a Sunday morning cafe run to the airfield?
I'm going to recuse myself from actual ride-leading, on the basis that my achilles still isn't quite right and I might have to sit out a day ride if it protests on the way down.
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Booked. I'll probably take 2 days to ride there and 2 to ride home, bagging new VeloViewer tiles as I go.
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I'm happy to lead a ride if Rob can give us a few routes I can load onto my GPS, AND, of course any cafe stops!
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I'm happy to lead a ride if Rob can give us a few routes I can load onto my GPS, AND, of course any cafe stops!
The local cycling club has a library of routes of varying distances - if you look at http://wellesbourne-wheelers.org.uk/index.php/rides/rides-library/ride-library/category/3-thursday-rides there is an index with indicative locations and then both .gpx files and .pdf maps The club's main website also has a list of cafes etc. All of the rides start at The Stag pub in the village.
That's probably the simplest way to work out some rides
Rob
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I'm happy to lead a ride if Rob can give us a few routes I can load onto my GPS, AND, of course any cafe stops!
The local cycling club has a library of routes of varying distances - if you look at http://wellesbourne-wheelers.org.uk/index.php/rides/rides-library/ride-library/category/3-thursday-rides there is an index with indicative locations and then both .gpx files and .pdf maps The club's main website also has a list of cafes etc. All of the rides start at The Stag pub in the village.
That's probably the simplest way to work out some rides
Rob
That looks EXACTLY what I need Rob, thank you!
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I moved the green tourer to the front of the pile on Monday, meaning to give it a bit of a fettle. All was good. I got home today & the front tyre is flat ???
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The local cycling club has a library of routes of varying distances - if you look at http://wellesbourne-wheelers.org.uk/index.php/rides/rides-library/ride-library/category/3-thursday-rides there is an index with indicative locations and then both .gpx files and .pdf maps The club's main website also has a list of cafes etc. All of the rides start at The Stag pub in the village.
Wow, that's brilliant. I may have to spend some time browsing those :thumbsup:
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I moved the green tourer to the front of the pile on Monday, meaning to give it a bit of a fettle. All was good. I got home today & the front tyre is flat ???
Getting the visitation out of the way before you set off is always a good idea...
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Any concensus on how far is a good idea for a bimble and do we prefer Sat or Sun?
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The local cycling club has a library of routes of varying distances - if you look at http://wellesbourne-wheelers.org.uk/index.php/rides/rides-library/ride-library/category/3-thursday-rides there is an index with indicative locations and then both .gpx files and .pdf maps The club's main website also has a list of cafes etc. All of the rides start at The Stag pub in the village.
Wow, that's brilliant. I may have to spend some time browsing those :thumbsup:
All my own work ! - or at least I compiled them and created all the files from a hotch-potch of information from a couple of the club members (I'm a member of the club but seldom ride with them - I planned and set up the original club website to include the library)
The airfield cafe gets VERY busy especially on Sunday mornings - there is another cafe in the centre of Wellesbourne village and one at a garden centre in Charlecote, close to the airfield.
Rob
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*bump*
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About 90% certain I will be there. Maybe with another.
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Just received a response from the campsite:
Many thanks for your email and it's pretty much yes to all of your queries.
We would be delighted to have you all stay with us and you can book online individually (mention in NOTES your group name) and yes numbers can be added.
If you book online it automatically takes a payment for cars but we refund that (in cash) to those arriving on bikes.
I hope that all helps and please feel free to call me if you need more info.
Which all sounds pretty positive.
So:
1) Let me know you're coming if you're not already listed as confirmed in the OP.
2) Book as "standard grass pitch" with the campsite, saying that you're with YACF in the 'notes field in the booking form. Should be £10/adult/night, plus £6/night for a car that you can't not book.
3) Non-motorists collect £6/night cash refund on arrival.
:thumbsup:
And they confirm this by special email.
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I am out thinks.
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Still planning on getting there. Not sure if it will be Friday night or Saturday.
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I am packed and ready to go :)
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Looking at my slow progress on the map I may need to use Bloody Trains. I can get one from Wrexham to Stratford upon Avon.
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Looking at my slow progress on the map I may need to use Bloody Trains. I can get one from Wrexham to Stratford upon Avon.
Make sure you don't make the common mistake of alighting at Stratford PARKWAY station - you need to get off at Stratford (town) station (which is at the end of the line) - from there you could pick up NCN 5 as a non-direct but safe route to Wellesbourne (it actually passes the end of the lane where Michael Twite's place is)
Rob
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I have been gathering camping gear but it is all carefully concealed, not having been used since a weekend with Nikki and Peli and Woolly in April last year. Must make a concerted effort today.
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Note to campers. It is distinctly autumnal. I’m regretting not bringing my warmer sleeping bag & the down jacket for mornings & evenings.
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Well that's okay, I packed my down jacket last night. But I'm supposed to have left about 2 hours ago. :facepalm:
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We have had several rooms decorated since I last did any camping in April 2018. My camping gear has been scattered to the 4 winds.
At present I am devoid of my MSR pans and the rather nice little Alpkit stove I bought to heat them. The only place I can think of to find them is underneath an enormous teetering pile of large plastic boxes full of crap the fruit of my dear wife's crochet hook.
If push comes to shove, may I scrounge hot water for beverages please?
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And I've booked!
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We have had several rooms decorated since I last did any camping in April 2018. My camping gear has been scattered to the 4 winds.
At present I am devoid of my MSR pans and the rather nice little Alpkit stove I bought to heat them. The only place I can think of to find them is underneath an enormous teetering pile of large plastic boxes full of crap the fruit of my dear wife's crochet hook.
If push comes to shove, may I scrounge hot water for beverages please?
I will have with me a small spare stove but let me know if you need a kettle or pan and I can bring one.
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Found them thanks. Think I will be reasonably well equipped by morning. May be up late though...
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I should hopefully be arriving at the station for 15:00 & will trundle to the campsite from there. If anyone coming by car could stick a spare folding chair in their luggage it would save me having to look up to you.
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Okay, I make that a count of 8. I'll ping an email off to the campsite and let them know.
I'll be coming down tomorrow (today? Friday.) afternoon. Not decided if I'm riding the whole way or train-assisted (achilles has been playing up since last week's FNRttC[1]), but I expect it'll take me a couple of hours either way.
The weather's looking promising, in a September kind of way: Not especially warm, but reasonably dry and a lot less windy than the forecast was suggesting earlier in the week.
[1] It was fine for the duration of the ride, then the pain set in as soon as I got off the train at Mordor Central on the way home.
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With the help of my dear wife, holding wielding a pen and a checklist as I ran around the ouse gathering stuff together, I now probably have more stuff than I really need, save a silk/cotton line for the sleeping bag. Is there a camping shop in Leamington Spa, I wonder?
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I’m currently at Wern Isaf farm, which is a beautifully located site with decent facilities. They charged me £10. Very close to Llangollen with pubs & restaurants, a few miles to Ruabon station with links to Mordor. Oodles of lovely riding in the area, a canal & steam railway as well.
http://www.wernisaf.co.uk/ (http://www.wernisaf.co.uk/)
https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=3867 (https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=3867)
https://twitter.com/andrewxclark/status/1169892700008534016?s=21 (https://twitter.com/andrewxclark/status/1169892700008534016?s=21)
Main problem I can see is that to get to the site from Llangollen you have to go up an insanely steep hill . I’d think that if we were visiting the local fleshpots some of our regular campers would need a lift back.
The camping field is a bit slopey as well, but lovely views.
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I booked yeterday putting YACF in the notes. Sadly arriving by car as don't have enough time to spare to ride, off to Italy next Tuesday and still need to pack!
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With the help of my dear wife, holding wielding a pan and a checklist as i ran around the ouse gathering stuff together, I now probably have more stuff than I really need, save a silk/cotton line for the sleeping bag. Is there a camping shop in Leamington Spa, I wonder?
I'm sure I've got a spare large liner somewhere...
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With the help of my dear wife, holding wielding a pan and a checklist as i ran around the ouse gathering stuff together, I now probably have more stuff than I really need, save a silk/cotton line for the sleeping bag. Is there a camping shop in Leamington Spa, I wonder?
I'm sure I've got a spare large liner somewhere...
QE2 perhaps? ;)
Yes please!
PS There is what appears to be a very good outdoor shop in Leamington -Lockwoods. They are agents for Altberg which is a good sign. Quite tempted to potter down there anyway.
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With the help of my dear wife, holding wielding a pan and a checklist as i ran around the ouse gathering stuff together, I now probably have more stuff than I really need, save a silk/cotton line for the sleeping bag. Is there a camping shop in Leamington Spa, I wonder?
I'm sure I've got a spare large liner somewhere...
QE2 perhaps? ;)
Queen Mary, should be big enough!
Packed!
Julia
Yes please!
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Thank you!
I am now on an earlier train than I really need, but that will give me time for a nice cuppa at Marylebone. I quite like Marylebone station. It isn’t too big or busy and has a goodly number of places to sit and consume refreshments whilst people watching and waiting for the train.
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Have fun all. Unfortunately, we won't make it now :'( , due to health and money issues and also my niece and her girlfriend are visiting next week and so I need to have a rummage under the boxes and tents to see if I can find the living room and kitchen.
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That's a shame. Maybe you could just swap houses with Wowbagger, where the camping kit's at the bottom of the pile?
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FFS! I’m stuck in the lift at Smethwick Galton Bridge. Not moving, doors won’t open & it’s coffin size so I’m balancing the bike on it’s rear wheel!
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FFS! I’m stuck in the lift at Smethwick Galton Bridge. Not moving, doors won’t open & it’s coffin size so I’m balancing the bike on it’s rear wheel!
Ugh!
That happened to me at Lpoo St a few weeks ago, causing me to miss my connection.
Try some precision thumping at the top of the door. Might persuade a stuck microswitch into clicking. Is the lift alarm doing anything useful?
I've mostly finished packing, currently waiting for a band of Weather to pass before setting off.
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Rescued with the aid of a burly chap who held the doors apart while I got the bike out. I then had to carry the beast up the stairs to platform 2 where my train was just pulling in.
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.... just seen a flowing white beard and floppy hat cycle past the bike shop I manage in downtown Wellesbourne! Looks like it can only be one person.
Rob
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Just had a call from cycleman, who is currently negotiating the Oxford bypass. I expect he'll arrive later the evening.
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.... just seen a flowing white beard and floppy hat cycle past the bike shop I manage in downtown Wellesbourne! Looks like it can only be one person.
Rob
Had I arrived 5 minutes later I would have dropped in. Would have avoided that nasty drenching squall. Now consuming coffee and cake st the airfield.
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Looks like the weather missed Birmingham. I'm setting off now.
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.... just seen a flowing white beard and floppy hat cycle past the bike shop I manage in downtown Wellesbourne! Looks like it can only be one person.
Rob
Gandalf?
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.... just seen a flowing white beard and floppy hat cycle past the bike shop I manage in downtown Wellesbourne! Looks like it can only be one person.
Rob
Gandalf?
He's owned up to drinking tea and eating cake at the Touchdown Cafe on the airfield. Tip: the bread pudding is better than the cakes.
Rob
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We are clustered around a fire drinking beer & wine, eating cheese & olives, talking bollocks.
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Sounds good to me wish I was there.
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So do we! And TJ, Joan & Nye. :(
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We are now discussing where to eat and drink tomorrow evening. Some cycling may take place tomorrow. (Apparently this is a viscous rumour.....)
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We are now discussing where to eat and drink tomorrow evening. Some cycling may take place tomorrow. (Apparently this is a viscous rumour.....)
Please announce the venue here - I may appear (if I don't this afternoon after I have closed the shop) if that's OK with you.
I would avoid the pubs in Wellesbourne and recommend the Boar's Head (a.k.a. The Whore's Bed) in Hampton Lucy - good food and a selection of guest beers
Rob
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Have a great weekend, have a pint and good cuppa and enjoy the great YACF friendship. 👋👋👋
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Hope you all have a good weekend, I really quite fancied this event myself until I realised it clashed with Mrs B's long planned weekend in York.
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Looking at route 3, can you recommend anywhere to stop for refreshments in Kinneton?
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Looking at route 3, can you recommend anywhere to stop for refreshments in Kinneton?
Yes - in the centre of the village there is a flower shop that has a tearoom in the garden at the back - excellent, one of my semi-regular haunts.
Rob
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Home now!
A very good weekend at a lovely camp site. It was busy, but there is lots of space between the pitches which is nicely unmown grass, with lots of Things living in it, I'm sure. The showers were good, the fire pits very welcome and the weather cold at night. 3°C when I woke up this morning. Kim told me it had been 1°C at 3am, and Julia had ice on her tent. I expect the rest of us did too, but I didn't notice. Luckily, I had taken warm stuff (sleeping bag and lightweight Alpkit quilt) so was very comfortable . The company was first-rate, but then I expected it to be!
We had a pretty decent ride yesterday which involved a tea room in Kineton. At one point we stopped because some model aircraft enthusiasts were operating their World War 1 style biplane and triplane in some sort of aerobatic chase. Once we had stopped watching that, we were treated to a very fine avian display. Firstly, there was a red kite drifting about. But then I heard a buzzard mewing. Within a minute or so, three buzzards had appeared and although there was no direct conflict, the red kite seemed to think that discretion was the better part of valour, and buggered off.
My tickets were to Leamington Spa, but I decided to return via Warwick station as it's a little closer to Wellesbourne and the approach can be along a quieter road (Kim led me astray here ;) )but when I arrive at Warwick there were no facilities for a hungry cyclist at lunch time, despite the fictional notice about a café on Platform 1, and no facilities for getting a bike onto the platform other than by picking it up bodily and carrying it down ad up flights of stairs. Under the circumstances I decided to carry on to Leamington Spa, and it was quite a nice ride. Th ride across London from Marylebone to Lpoo St was very pleasant. I like London on a pleasant, sunny Sunday afternoon.
Thanks to Kim for doing the research, Cycleman for being inspirational, Andrew for supplying me with a goodly amount of food and Julia for lending me a sleeping bag liner. Oh, and everyone for the company. Looking forward to the next one...
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A very good weekend at a lovely camp site. It was busy, but there is lots of space between the pitches which is nicely unmown grass, with lots of Things living in it, I'm sure.
Here's one:
(http://www.ductilebiscuit.net/gallery_albums/yacf_wellesbourne_2019/2019_09_06_21_07_32.sized.jpg)
Some sort of steroid-enhanced earwig, I reckon. Fast-moving and a bugger to photograph, anyway.
Beasties aside, the site gets a thumbs up from me: The meadow-mown-into-individual-pitches approach works well. The area's lumpy but the pitches themselves are reasonably flat, no drainage or pegging issues. Decent loos (though no lighting and only cold water in their sinks), the barn area with the showers and pot wash (which did have hot water) was poorly lit, but the showers themselves were fine (with plenty of space to put your stuff). Little shop with firewood, ice creams and the usual bits and bobs. Charging sockets™. Cafe at the airfield. Owner who seemed enthusiastic about having us.
3°C when I woke up this morning. Kim told me it had been 1°C at 3am, and Julia had ice on her tent. I expect the rest of us did too, but I didn't notice. Luckily, I had taken warm stuff (sleeping bag and lightweight Alpkit quilt) so was very comfortable.
(http://www.ductilebiscuit.net/gallery_albums/yacf_wellesbourne_2019/2019_09_08_03_15_07.sized.jpg)
1°C on the Garmin, reading from the Ant+ sensor under my recumbent seat, 11.5°C on the bike computer, reading the ambient temperature in my tent. This is why small tents are better when it's cold!
I was warm in my sleeping bag and liner, with the down jacket draped on top for the first hour or so. The hot water bottle was overkill, and the only reason I didn't evict it was in anticipation of the temperature dropping before dawn.
We had a pretty decent ride yesterday which involved a tea room in Kineton. At one point we stopped because some model aircraft enthusiasts were operating their World War 1 style biplane and triplane in some sort of aerobatic chase.
When we first arrived, there was a jet-powered model in flight. I've never seen one running before, and the thrust to weight ratio was spectacular. Not quite as entertaining as the propeller-driven dogfighting though.
In the afternoon, we found a ford, where Nothing didn't happen:
(http://www.ductilebiscuit.net/gallery_albums/yacf_wellesbourne_2019/2019_09_07_16_28_33.sized.jpg)
None of the bicycle riders liked the look of the stony bottom, and cycleman made some excuse about mixing water with electricity. The freshness of the looks-like-tractor-wheels tracks was commented on, and as if on cue a large caterpillar-tracked tractor pulling an Agricultural Machine Thingy™ appeared and demonstrated its fording technique, which Nye would doubtless have appreciated.
My tickets were to Leamington Spa, but I decided to return via Warwick station as it's a little closer to Wellesbourne and the approach can be along a quieter road (Kim led me astray here ;) )
Yeah, my planned route was somewhat hill-avoidant, as I wasn't sure about my Achilles, and generally worked better in the opposite direction. (I was using the poorly-mapped but well-built roundabout underpass which joins the minor road at Sherbourne to the B4463, rather than the more usual Hampton Lucy to Norton Lindsey route.
I'm struggling to remember Warwick station. I must have been there at some point, but I can only remember Warwick Parkway, which like all partway stations, is best avoided.
I reckon we should do this one again next year...
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And for those who didn't ask, the fable of The Ant And The Man (not to be confused with Ant Man, which is something entirely different):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPg-v0I1KzU
https://youtu.be/EPg-v0I1KzU
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Thanks to all for making it such a good weekend. I had ice on my tent this morning which led to a cold wet tent to pack away. Got home just before 2pm and first job was to put the tent up to dry it out.
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I can't really make out Kim's creature, but it's the right colour and texture to be a devil's coach horse.
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I can't really make out Kim's creature, but it's the right colour and texture to be a devil's coach horse.
Yeah, that looks about right. In a funny-looking-horse sort of way.
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Much preferable to slugs though but.
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Much preferable to slugs though but.
Those were pleasingly absent.
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Another excellent feature of the campsite was the firmness of the turf. Never had the slightest problem with a sinking helinox...
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I have fitted mine with 25mm ferrules.
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I have one of those stop-your-Helinox-sinking-into-the-ground-and-losing-its-ferrules mats. The ground was firm enough that I didn't bother fitting it.
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Why did I forget to post a photo of Kevin The Chicken?
Here's a photo of Kevin The Chicken:
(http://www.ductilebiscuit.net/gallery_albums/yacf_wellesbourne_2019/2019_09_08_08_50_21.sized.jpg)
He had an unhealthy interest in my tent.
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Has he emigrated from Long Itch?
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Has he emigrated from Long Itch?
He's a bit smaller and a lot more cocky than the Long Itch cockerel. Also, Kevin is - in chicken terms - a master of stealth. I got quite a surprise when I unzipped my tent this morning to find him peering in at me; I hadn't heard a thing. The Long Itch one, on the other hand, is always keen to exact audax o'clock revenge on any snorers.
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Who is this imposter Kevin? The Wellbourne Cock is called Trevor, according to site management.
A good place & yes we should return. Co-op a short ride away , but it closes early on Sunday. Local cafe does a good breakfast though it’s future may be in doubt
[size=78%]https://twitter.com/andrewxclark/status/1170653047774732288?s=21 (https://twitter.com/andrewxclark/status/1170653047774732288?s=21)[/size]
Cudzo & I both spent yesterday lazing around. We’ll regret it today as we have to ride home in the rain that’s just started.
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Some kids told me he has two names - Kevin and Trevor. Teenage angst meets Ian Dury?
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A very enjoyable camping weekend. It was lovely to see you all again. I had a nice Potter home getting back at 10.20pm 🙂
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Thanks to cycleman for instigating and to Kim for organising.
Part of the yacf encampment
(https://i.imgur.com/6OXjuqk.jpg)
Some Snoopy v Red Baron action from Saturday
(https://i.imgur.com/yUhO9QW.jpg)
Kevin/Trevor again
(https://i.imgur.com/SBlIF0V.jpg)
Not Kevin. Or Trevor.
(https://i.imgur.com/UUVI3yQ.jpg)
I took it as read that the road might be flooded, given that it's a ford.
(https://i.imgur.com/VbfL0C8.jpg)
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As Andrew has said, after the fond goodbyes on Sunday morning we spent the day in some profitable lounging, sun soaking, snoozing, reading and bollock talking. We also put in some high quality eating time with low quality "lightly salted" crisps (product of the Dead Sea) and pretty decent humus.
Sunday night was much warmer than Saturday, even with the benefit of FIRE, and Monday morning dawned fair and dry. In fact, there was nothing more than a light shower the whole day (at least for me, possibly Andrew caught some proper rain in the Malverns). I evicted two devil's coach horses (thanks Wowbagger for the identification) from my tent while packing up (the broken pole is still holding up, by the way) but then found I'd transported one all the way to Cirencester.
The only other news is that on Tuesday morning I found my cunningly crafted Armoured Egg Box had lost its armour plating due to the glue softening in the dew. As by then I'd eaten all my eggs, it didn't matter.
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More about Kevin/Trevor. Twitey the Tipi himself told me that Kevin/Trevor was left behind, along with half a dozen hens, when someone who used to be resident on the site (and used to sell eggs) moved on. The hens all fell victim to the fox because only Kevin/Trevor was smart enough to roost in the trees (I thought this was instinctive chicken behaviour, but seems not). Also, K/T is "friends" with the cat (bullies the cat) and the cat scares off the fox.
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There were lots of cats & kittens when I went to the wash up place one night. Loads of little gleaming eyes reflecting my torch.