Wigwams 2010 and Keith’s 15 Year presentation
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Saturday the 1st of May was the first day of our 3-day wigwam trip to Scotland. Malcolm and Denise (on her new 250 Dragstar) arrived at my house at 9. Just before we set off the heavens opened and it was a quick change to waterproofs. We met up with Barry and Lorraine and made good speed to Hexham sports centre to meet up with the southern group. Newcomers to the annual wigwam weekend were, Kevin and Mali, Fred, Latts and “the other half” Jeanette. After a quick head count to make sure we were all present we headed off for our first stop, the café at Chollerford for a quick bacon buttie and brew. Next stop was Kielder reservoir for a quick pic as its part of the national landmark competition. Keith led the group with Barrie and myself bringing up the rear. A very scenic route was taken via Hawick then Galashiels finally arriving just outside Peebles |
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The wigwam site was brand new and we were expecting a couple of minor niggles but they were proved wrong as the site was up and running. We had taken all 9 of the 10 wigwams ! opting to sleep 2 to a wigwam. The site owner Ian met us and as we were the first visitors he kindly gave us a big bag of bbq bricks.
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The scenery was just outstanding ! the area has become very popular with mountain biking fraternity. The drawback to the site was a very steep rough gravel entry/exit road, which proved interesting to some members !
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So it was off to the local hotel for something to eat. Here you see Fred praying for his food to arrive. The food was very nice and reasonably priced. |
Latts and Jeanette waiting patiently for their food. |
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The food has arrived but Fred is still praying ! |
Barrie looking puzzled |
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Whilst we were enjoying our meal, Ray and Manuela, Bob and Fiona had arrived. There late arrival was due to them all working on Saturday. While we were in the kitchen the power went off. So a quick phone call to Ian the site owner had him on his way to help sort out the problem. It appears that some kids had set the emergency stop button and shut off all the power to the site. Within 10 minutes the power was back on and the candles were blown out. |
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I awoke Sunday morning to find Si looking at me. He asked if his snoring had kept me awake. I replied “no” Si I didn’t hear a peep out of you. He replied “well it must have been your snoring !” I had kept him awake for most of the night with my chain cutting sounding snoring, no wonder Keith was happy to bunk up with Bob D this trip. Keith asked me if I wanted to lead the rideout to Edinburgh as we wanted to get our photo taken with the castle in the background as part of the landmark competition. I was happy to oblige and very soon we hit Edinburgh city. This is were all the fun started ! almost all the roads leading to the castle were closed with lots of diversions in place. Then disaster struck ! Keith pulled up along side me and said we had lost half the group. So I quickly looked for somewhere to pull up and park 5 bikes while we tried to work out where we had lost the others. I decided to ask a local if we could get to the castle. He replied the castle is closed due to a half marathon being run that day. So now we knew why most of the roads were closed off. Soon Denise rang to say they were in parliament square, so we arranged to meet up with them, but because the traffic was so bad by the time we got to parliament square they had already left and headed for the castle, which had re-opened. |
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Keith doing a self portrait picture |
Will looking like he really knows where he’s going ! |
Keith tries to impress the group with his map reading ! |
Finally we make it to the castle |
Finally we caught up with the rest of the group and decided that Edinburgh was just to busy and headed out to Roslin Chapel for a cultural visit.
Roslin chapel has been made famous due the “da vinci code” books and was really interesting. |
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A view from the top of the chapel |
Si poses next to a memorial |
Once the visit was over we headed back to the wigwams for our traditional BBQ. Ray, Manuela, Bob and Fiona had been busy getting wood for the fire and getting the BBQ’s lit and under way |
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Barry warms his hands by the fire |
Masterchef’s Bob and Fiona did a sterling job feeding us |
Lorraine, Mali, Si and Barry waiting for the food |
Malcolm, Kev, Barrie, Ray and Denise |
Our very own Masterchef Bob |
Group photo taken using a timer |
Keith’s 15 year patch presentation |
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As I have recently taken over the post of Centre Rep my first official duty was to present Keith with his 15 year patch. The patch had arrived middle of April and I was going to present it at our sat meeting but realising that only 8 members would be attending that meeting I put it on hold. Ray suggested that we should present him at the wigwams. It was all kept very secret as we arrange the presentation. The cake was from tesco, I took the patch in and they scanned it, however it took them 5 attempts until I was happy with the end result. |
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It was a honour to present Keith with his patch. I have known Keith for 6 years and during that time he has dedicated a lot of time and resources to the club. He organises most of the ride outs and trips and is always helpful especially towards new members helping them to settle in. On behalf on Centre 4 members I would like to thank Keith for all his hard work and dedication. |
Will tries to pinch the patch back off Keith ! |
The group pose |
Keith cutting his cake |
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It wasn’t really that cold, honest ! The temperature did drop a little due to the clear skies While the die hards or looneys decided to brave it out |
I have to thank Si for looking after me during the stay and cooking my Mind you, I did do the washing up !
Monday morning was time to pack up and head back down south. Keith led us to St Mary’s Loch were we did the quick photo pose and then back to Selkirk for the journey home. I left the main group as I was wanting to go back via B roads and tiny unnamed roads (well more like footpaths !)
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At St Mary’s Loch |
Getting ready to set off |
Barrie talking to strangers again
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Getting ready for the return journey |
Keith leading the way |
Bob follows on |
Barry and Lorraine |
Barrie taking up the rear man position |
Once again the wigwams were a great success and the weather on the whole was quite kind to us Once again I would like to thank all the members who attend and supported this event especially Keith for leading the rideouts I like many others are looking forward to next years wigwam adventure |
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