The Great Dartmoor 9-11 Weekend

[KevKing]

Originally conceived as a bike weekend to celebrate my birthday (Sept 11th) I am pleased to report that the Great Dartmoor 9-11 weekend was a sound success, despite the occasional inclement weather for which that part of the country is famous. Carolyn and I managed to get to Princetown before it started to rain at around 5pm and the others turned up slightly later and much wetter! A quick decision about camping meant that it was a non-starter as the campsite was rapidly flooding and so the team was booked into the Burrator Inn, Dousland near Yelverton, where we were able to abuse the bar and make plans. :beer: On Saturday morning it rained solidly but after a couple of coffees Moog had the great? Idea of going out anyhow. Jon and Anya were also getting itchy feet and so we headed off for the coast at Dartmouth. As we got off the moor the rain stopped and by the time we got to the coast it was (almost) sunny. A stroll along the front and a light (except Taffy Dave) lunch followed. Stage two of Moog?s tour of Devon and we headed towards Kingsbridge. Dunno how he did it but we managed to get stuck behind everything from a tourist coach to a lost Dutchman and so made an impressive 25mph most of the way! :bang: However the last leg back to Dartmoor was better as we had fun on the roads towards Plymouth and beyond. Turning onto the Tavistock road we were almost taken out en masse by a people carrier ?I think he was lucky that he didn?t upset Taffy too much, particularly after a previous encounter with a hapless Dartmoor sheep. Remember ? the only ones who walk into the road are the ones ambling around ? if they are eating they won?t bother you! The black cows in the dark can also be a problem with their lack of high-vis lighting. Back to the pub and the very nicely appointed rooms and very friendly bar and staff. Brilliant meal by a cracking chef followed by reliving the days events over a beer or three and watching Khan?s easy victory in the boxing later. :yo: Sunday was really just a time to have a major breakfast and to say goodbyes. Thoroughly enjoyable despite the weather (which seems was worse in the Mudlands) and a strong team that made the effort. Thanks for sharing my birthday on Sunday go to Moog, Taffy and Ros, Mike and his wife, Jon and Anya and Revzy. Mal ? where did you get to? And Shropslad ? rain stopped play?? Long live the Massif and looking forward to the next meet when I get back from sea in the New Year. Nowhere exotic this time ? just Newcastle and Scotland in the winter ? deep joy!

Red is best and there more of us!!

 

[Moog]

Cant really add anymore to that Kev, just to say i had a great time no matter what the weather threw at us $%3un $%3un !!!!!.
Allready looking forward to our next outing :beer: :beer: .

 

[KevKing]

Nice one moogly, we could have a Bird designer outlet grand opening bash at your place next if you want....! :}

Red is best (as we both know!)

 

[Jon and Anya]

Sorry about the delay in the reply but had a lot of shit to wade through.

Okay then, from the hip

Left Staffs in Brilliant sunshine got to taffs and sweat whist having a much needed coffee. Off to mee Mike and Deb at Gordano services, still hot and sunny, call to Moog as only Taff can, Be there in 30 mins or F**k it, south
Taunton and there is Moog, sky is getting Iffy. On to god knows where and the heavens open, Taffs leading us over the Moor, rain (big style) fog/mist and suicidle sheep in the road. Although Taff attempted to kick them off the road a few got through. Got to Princetown after dark, 200 beemers all in the plumb of feathers and the rest of Princetown so no place to stay, it was their national rally. A few calls later and we have a hotel, The Burrator, erm,,,,,,in Devon. A nice hotel that turned out to be rely good. Great chef and staff.

Saturday, rain, got meet Simzie at 11.30, forecast was rain and rain drying from the south, so we go south, Got to the meeting place and waited in the rain for about an hour, called him and he was still at home, hmmmmm. So we go south and true to the forecast it was great. A good ride around but too many tourist's to get on with it and keep the slow red ones with us :m Got clear of the traffic and had a ball for a few miles back to the hotel. Another great evening in the hotel where the Massiff ladies sorted out the Xmas do and a possible BSB, (Begining of season bash) along with the main Massif holiday, that I must say will take some sorting out but I'm on the case but will nedd shrops in on this one.


Sunday AM and its dry and off we go home. Thanks to Kev for the reason to get pissed through wet, but one thing dude, when you treid to book a bed in July and they told you there were no beds due to a Beemer rally didn't you think there may be accomodatoin problems for anyone that was turning up on spec, and to put it the MCN, well, if it had been a dry weekend with sun and temps there may well have been 50+ peeps turn up, I think IMHO you would have been butt fooked. :m

Cya all soon

 

[shropslad]

LOL

but one thing dude, when you treid to book a bed in July and they told you there were no beds due to a Beemer rally didn't you think there may be accomodatoin problems for anyone that was turning up on spec, and to put it the MCN, well, if it had been a dry weekend with sun and temps there may well have been 50+ peeps turn up, I think IMHO you would have been butt fooked.

ROFLMAO :}

Mind you if it was dry then we could have set up camp on the moors,, & watched Kev get butt fooked :}
Glad you all had a good time,, We made an executive decision regarding weather,,camping etc, & with hindsight I think it was the right one :beer:

see you soon,

 

[KevKing]

Well, you could have camped, but then I didnt I suppose! Anyhow, it was fun and I will get my own back and look forward to the Massif BOSB or whatever in the new year.
$%3un

Red is always best
PS I won a bike treasure hunt today two up in the sun in Hampshire and I didnt cheat once (I think) :f