Author Topic: Mid-Essex and the Rest of the World Epiphany - 2023 edition (Read 27766 times)

Nick · « **Reply #125 on:** 09 January, 2022, 10:58:50 pm »

Quote from: tedshred on 09 January, 2022, 10:22:24 am

Well the formal Epiphany Ride may have been cancelled but five of us enjoyed our "Epi" day out.

Many of the usual faces were missing for various reasons:

Fandango - eating Yorkies, running over hedgehogs
Toby's Dad - claims January is a busy month for him
Grey Sheep - snotters blinding
Not Grey Lamb - also claims January is a busy month
Oaky - injured in bizarre pogo stick incident
Andy C333333333 - too many rules for our resident anarchist
Psyclist - tinkering in his man cave
Jem - won't leave Witham
Not Nik Not Nick Not Nik's Nick Nor even Nick's Nik - grounded
Josser - plague ridden

Fortunately, Tomsk, Huggy, OD and the BFC (Retd.) were all waiting for me in Witham 'Spoons when the headwind and pelting rain finally released me into the warmth. I arrived to find the sampling had already started with a carefully curated selection of breakfast beers (Otter's Amber) and Huggy almost in tears at the unfairness of the egg that had been missed from his breakfast - a feeling not helped when my breakfast arrived swiftly and eggful.

Tomsk and I knew how bad it was outside and the others were looking apprehensively out of the window as the raindrops bounced off the pavement. Tomsk is Tomsk though and there was no way we weren't going on a bike ride. Somewhat unhelpfully, OD decided to get involved with Tomsk's route planning. That could only mean a leg-sapping combination of gratuitous hills (at one point we climbed Blue Mills and then dropped back down Station Road to end up 200 yards from the start of our climb), COR (including a particulary muddy slog along past Beeleigh Falls), pointless circling away from the eventual destination just as you think you are nearly there and feeling ashamed at being left behind by Tomsk on his two wheel drive tractor bike.

Of course it wasn't nearly as bad as we thought and it was all good fun. I did get my revenge for the gratuitous climbs by taking so long to reach the top that everyone else was frozen by the time I got there.

Aesop's Fables for the Modern Day

An Artist comes to a kissing gate with his bike. He delicately moves through but is forced to release the gate which springs heavily into the Telecoms Sales Executive's shins as he blunders in behind the Artist. Meanwhile the Smug Engineer waits for the gate to spring back before pulling it outwards to allow the Retired Twiddler and the Scribe to walk through easily and unharmed The Artist and Telecoms Sales can only Executive look at the Smug Engineer's smug grin as he strides through the gate.

Kissing gate negotiated, we headed through the mud to Maldon and the welcome warmth of the Carpenter's Arms. There we sampled Yakima Gold and Old Bob but forgot to have an Oscar Wilde Mild when the landlord decided to heat his cottage pie up and we realised how hungry we were in a pub that didn't serve food.

Off to Maldon 'Spoons we sped. With Ruddles at 99p and a handful of CAMRA vouchers, we felt like millionaires there. So confident were we that we cleared a table of beers and bookie's slips onto an different table so we could sit in the warmest part of the pub - "the guys from the boxing club won't be happy when they see their table" chirped the blokes at the next table along but we were too busy selecting snacks and quaffing Old Thumper to care.

Enjoyable as it was, here's to next year and a proper traditional Epiphany Ride with after party, camping, musical interludes, ghost pint spills and everything else we love about it.

Great write-up as usual and well done to you all for braving the elements.

Out of isolation now and looking forward to getting out of the house!!

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #126 on:** 18 November, 2022, 01:30:42 pm »

Hello

Epiphany has already been discussed elsewhere but time to formalise discussions, here goes...

Saturday 7th running into Sunday 8th January has been discussed although ted said he'd be skiing so wondered about the 21st. How do people feel about each date?

Also, it was mooted that the evening programme would include Tomsk's ACME Awards Ceremony. But it was suggested that we might split the events to two separate dates as the audience for each event is different although there is crossover. How do folks feels about this?

EDIT: we now have a poll! Please cast your votes, remember folks died in for your right to participate in a democratic process

bobb · « **Reply #127 on:** 18 November, 2022, 05:51:07 pm »

Can you add another option of:

I want to come, but I don't care what day it is or what the format is?

jiberjaber · « **Reply #128 on:** 18 November, 2022, 06:14:12 pm »

I'm not sure I am around that weekend, so later in the month works for me better I think.

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #129 on:** 18 November, 2022, 06:34:34 pm »

Quote from: bobb on 18 November, 2022, 05:51:07 pm

Can you add another option of:

I want to come, but I don't care what day it is or what the format is?

Errr, good point, I suggest you don’t vote at all as I won’t be able to fettle the poll and will probably fook it up if I need. Zak OK?

Owen · « **Reply #130 on:** 20 November, 2022, 04:47:14 pm »

It depends for me.

I would struggle to make the 7th, so if that weekend was picked for Epiphany then another for Tomsk awards evening would mean at least I could get to something.

Owen

Carlosfandango · « **Reply #131 on:** 20 November, 2022, 06:54:03 pm »

I'm with Owen here. I'm not sure if I can attend, so I'm not going to vote, but if the awards night and Epiphany are separate events, then I'll probably make it to one of them.

felstedrider · « **Reply #132 on:** 20 November, 2022, 08:47:41 pm »

Ahem….23rd and 24th are a Monday and a Tuesday ?

I won’t do the daytime thing anyway but would like to attend the awards ceremony.

I have a big occasion on the 27th and was thinking of a ride and social on the 28th. We could build that in with a club ride, though.

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #133 on:** 21 November, 2022, 04:54:00 am »

Quote from: felstedrider on 20 November, 2022, 08:47:41 pm

Ahem….23rd and 24th are a Monday and a Tuesday ?

I won’t do the daytime thing anyway but would like to attend the awards ceremony.

I have a big occasion on the 27th and was thinking of a ride and social on the 28th. We could build that in with a club ride, though.

Well spotted! 21st and 22nd!

psyclist · « **Reply #134 on:** 21 November, 2022, 06:33:28 am »

Currently a very small turnout for the vote, and effectively nothing in it between 7th and 21st. Looks like it’ll come down to how much OD likes those who have said they cannot make the 7th. I’m sure they won’t begrudge any decision, in time.

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #135 on:** 21 November, 2022, 07:51:31 am »

If democracy fails us, as it often does, we must turn to benign dictatorship and a Council of the Elders will convene and decide what’s best for you

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #136 on:** 03 December, 2022, 05:19:08 pm »

An impromptu meeting of 3 Elders has just convened in ‘spoons and it has been decided That Epiphany will be held on the later of the two dates and the evening will include Tomsk’s Awards Ceremony.

Democracy is good innit!?!

felstedrider · « **Reply #137 on:** 03 December, 2022, 05:56:46 pm »

I have been informed that I am in Birmingham that night. Oh well, I can pick up my Essex SR at a later date.

Tomsk · « **Reply #138 on:** 12 December, 2022, 08:35:20 pm »

Josser has confirmed that the 'Eileen Room' at The Compasses is booked for us from 18:00 on Saturday 21st January. I'll be getting an invitation email out to all ACME members and our 'Friends and Usual Suspects' this week as well as contacting all award winners.

Watch this space for details of all the fun and frolics planned for the Extravaganza!

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #139 on:** 31 December, 2022, 10:26:39 am »

Hello folks, I hope Christmas went well for everyone and you’re all looking forward to 2023.

I’d like to know whether you plan on joining us for Epiphany lunch and also an indication of whether you’ll be with us in the evening might be handy too. Please can you message me via whatever means you prefer.

Thanking you muchly.

jiberjaber · « **Reply #140 on:** 31 December, 2022, 02:03:52 pm »

Yes most likely

(+1)

huggy · « **Reply #141 on:** 01 January, 2023, 11:25:40 am »

Quote from: jiberjaber on 31 December, 2022, 02:03:52 pm

Yes most likely (+1)

ditto!

Nick · « **Reply #142 on:** 01 January, 2023, 01:18:57 pm »

Yes, may book a room. Is camping on? Too lazy to read the thread on my phone. Sorry. Really looking forward to it

Just re-read Tom's email and I'll be there and will either camp or ride home (no rooms available). When/where is the lunch? If I can make it, I will.

Happy New Year to you all. xx

Owen · « **Reply #143 on:** 02 January, 2023, 07:18:30 pm »

Yes +1 for the evenings activities

Owen

BFC · « **Reply #144 on:** 03 January, 2023, 02:37:53 pm »

Yes for the whole day.

Trying to get the four wheeled camping solution sorted.

GavinC · « **Reply #145 on:** 03 January, 2023, 02:40:42 pm »

It’s daughter no.2’s birthday on 21 Jan and I’ve also got one of my nieces arriving from Australia that evening so it’s a no for me

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #146 on:** 03 January, 2023, 02:45:49 pm »

Quote from: huggy on 01 January, 2023, 11:25:40 am

Quote from: jiberjaber on 31 December, 2022, 02:03:52 pm
Yes most likely (+1)
ditto!

I've put you down for camping as well

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #147 on:** 03 January, 2023, 02:49:43 pm »

I think to make this easier just let me know if you're wanting lunch. It would be good to know by the end of this week so I can get a lunch booking in place. BTW, has anyone got helpful suggestions as to where we can have lunch?

I think it'll be fine if folks just turn up at the Spiritual Home for evening eats.

bobb · « **Reply #148 on:** 03 January, 2023, 05:55:11 pm »

Count me in for lunch. Not sure about evening....

Tomsk · « **Reply #149 on:** 03 January, 2023, 06:06:10 pm »

Quote from: Oscar's dad on 03 January, 2023, 02:49:43 pm

I think to make this easier just let me know if you're wanting lunch. It would be good to know by the end of this week so I can get a lunch booking in place. BTW, has anyone got helpful suggestions as to where we can have lunch?

I think it'll be fine if folks just turn up at the Spiritual Home for evening eats.

Return Epiphany visit to: The Hare or the Chequers at Roxwell, ?