The day started well with sunshine and an expected top of 25c - none the less there was wet weather gear galore to be seen on the riders! ETD - 9am. Conor had his way and we were off from the Quality Inn at 9.06am. London Tour Leader - the intrepid Tim Raindle led us out of Slough and headed off in the direction of Windsor Castle. His buddy Serena, on her Moto Guzzi, took up the rear and for the entire trip to Talgarth, Wales, she was "tailendcharlie" and stopped the traffic at each of our stops so we could ride off in one large group. Needless to say, in the middle of a traffic congested town we were very grateful for her courage and sheer determination when it came to telling the poms to "Wait!!!" Jim, who had been awarded the inaugural "Highland Tour Princess" award for 1st flat battery of the tour dutifully left London and environs wearing his sash of honour.
Her Majesty was in residence at Windsor Castle and talk has it that she rushed down to the gate just to see those "crazy Aussies on their Indians" and wave them on their way. The ride found us in hedgerow after hedgerow and little hamlet after little hamlet. The camera in Lyndel's pocket was in and out all day trying to capture the scenery and really amazing architecture of the Cotswolds and Hereford - not to forget, every "little-town On Thames".
Morning tea was held at "insert name of place which won't matter because it was the best bakery in England" according to Toni." Jim headed for "The Bear Inn" and had his usual 11'ss.
Lunch was at the "Old Cottage Inn" which Peter Van S tells us was built in the 15th century - many of the group spent a lot of time bending their heads to get to the bar - such tall and strong Colonials we are! Bangers and mash was very popular as was the Steak and Ale and Cottage pie -now take note: the poms know how to make HOT food and many riders quickly reached for the pint of cold ale that was accompanying their meal.
Wales was penetrated at about 4pm and the mob found its way to Talgarth and the evening's accomodation at "The Castle Inn" in the bright of the afternoon at 7.15pm. Now if I tell you that many tour members ate Steak and Ale pie AGAIN for dinner you will realise just how great that particular "slice of the UK" is - and hot too.
Now the accomodation at said establishment is bunkhouse style and the top bunks were baggsed by the younger members of the mob - Dugal and Neville beat the rest to the prime real estate! However, this blogger has been reliably informed that snoring resonates up and out and over and consequently many of our beloved group were REALLY cranky this morning!. Tonight (Saturday) I understand that Neville has been relegated to the camp ground adjacent to the bunkhouse sans tent.
Jorgen and Catarina arrived at about 9.30pm after a quick trip from the middle of Sweden, across Denmark to the ferry and then across England and into Wales - a short trip by Australian standards and certainly not yet worthy of "longest distance travelled".
Chris Horner was awarded the "sash" for his valiant effort in trying to convert his Indian to diesel - and failing. Looks like Saturday will entail a bit of tinkering and draining of any rogue fuel from the '47 chief.
Many local ciders were consumed and pints of double Jim Beam and coke resulting in a fun, and for some late, first night had by all.
Final note from blogger: the pool table that was given a flogging in the evening by Daniel, Heath, Hannah and Mason has been secretly packed in BV2 and said young people are all looking sheepish about the big package that now holds pride of place in the van - I do think that those kids will suffer withdrawals if it gets unloaded.
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