Riders: El Pres, PTD, Dr S, TJ, Butty, Troll, 3 Sheds, Coley, Croxy, Bern, Mark, Stunt, G
Pub: Nic, Doog, Mawds, Si, Dunc
Silverback: Lee, Vaughan, Shaun
Route: BL, New road, Charity lane, Narnia, ye olde Kings Head
Conditions: Very Mild, Hill fog, Muddy
Stats: 5 cocktails pre pub
Top turnout for the winter solstice/christmas dinner ride, not at all affected by the choice of pub, live music from Lee, and colourful cocktails from PTD!
The lack of seasonal weather may have affected the traditional decoration/silly hat wearing (too hot?).
Despite some moisture in the air Croxy does come for the ride, on Helens bike..and despite mega faffing has managed to tinsel up 🙂
PTD promises 3 cocktails, and both the Troll &Â Mark has also brought one each…and we need to be at the pub by 8:30.
We try for a chazza – standing stone – dans bench route.
Folk set a crisp pace…although PTD encumbered by significant liquid load, becomes tail end charlie.
By Walker Barn we are in cloud, and with wind direction in our favour, its decided to have a first stop at the top of Charity.
Cocktail 1 (Phil M) Creme Anglais….Shot glass..Yellow ..sweet and smooth
Cocktail 2 (PTD)Â Ponsettia…Long glass…Black..Cranberry, Prosecco, Blue Curaco
Time marches on, we amend route to Narnia Bench then pub
Charity down in low vis, very wet & rocky, Narnia even thicker fog!
Cocktail 3 (PTD) Kiss n Tell…Long glass..Bright Green..Orange juice, Galliano, Blue Curaco & Vodka
Cocktail 4 (PTD) Burnside…Shot glass..Maroon…Gin, dry Vermouth, Cherry Brandy
Cocktail 5 (Mark) Baby guiness..Shot glass…black n white…coffee & cream liquers
..there may also have been a hip flask going around!!
Narnia to witches cottage super slippery…but we all make it in one piece 🙂
PTD almost gets lost on the descent to the road!
Landlord or Rudolph, 3 course dinner & 2 sets from Silverback ..now with added drummer Shaun! We are treated to new covers from Crowded House, Men at Work (antipodean theme here) ,REM a non Sax version of Baker street plus old favourites like Pedal to the Metal and Sunshine.
Much Air Sax, Air Drumming, singing along and general merriment. Tireless service from the lovely bar staff keep us fed and watered, Croxy becomes chief accountant, and time flies.
Some wobbly moments on the way home for many…and a delicate start to friday!
Brilliant evening 🙂