Great weekend

Wow what absolute fun this weekend had been. The old skool nats weekend sadly is now over but is definitely one to be repeated.

On guestimating it's been 10 years since the old crew have been together and though there was the odd missing face enough where able to come so a good time was expected.

It says something wonderful that a group of people can meet again like this after so long and such a lot of life passing and still be just exactly the same. It felt like it was only last week end that we had been assembling in lady bower carpark to start a ride. Ok sine if us were unwell and enable to ride but that didn't matter at all.

So the long lane lane was negotiated past guard geese, spotty pigs, and milking cows. And other bunkhouses and pondside was reached. The exploring begun. First a very basic but well appointed kitchen with 3 fridges and two ovens. They knew beer was important then. Lol talking beer loch fynne brewery dud us proud and not a glass was wasted.

Next the bathrooms small check , leak abit check, but two one ladies one mens luxury then check.

Lounge/eating area long comfortable benches with loads of tables and chairs in bench formation ideal.

Upstairs to the two bedrooms one sleeping 6 in very substantial wooden bunk beds, the border family room. Ideal. Then our room 8 bunks 2 couples and the palmer men and Karl perfect. Lol look on steve's face when he realised he had forgotten jarmies was priceless but Jane and I pointed out we had seen more if him over the years at the end of a wet muddy ride when all hop around taking wet cycling clothes off and tea shirt and pants were mist acceptable as bed wear lol. Dud any if us sleep well in these hard lumpy beds no definatly not so perhaps we could acknowledge the passing of years with those tired faces each morning and the various sharp intakes if breaths as we all tried to stretch the kinks out of our poor backs each morning but we were there and having fun and our ageing bodies can wait till the weekend is over.

Friday evening was filled with laughter and a visit from Jeremy and annetta who only live in the hope valley next hill over. And malc and julia and kids who were staying a week in the peaks so felt a b&b served them better. Again I have to mention what super human beings these guys all are here we are meeting after 10 years we all have spread out around the worlds 4 corners some have got married some have had children some have done both but all came together as one loving band of friends and new members were gathered in and part if it all instantly how special are you all. :)

Saturday morning and all us well butty jim had his butties and the snow was on the tops but it wasn't raining and they set off. Genoveva kiddies and I off to the train station at bandied to meet Jeremy and annetta for a wee train ride and then the lovely walk along the river back to hathersage great fun wee Daniel walked/ran his and all our legs off and was awesome at two he made me tired just watching. Isabella was charming and inquisitive and a pleasure to spend the day with. Us adults just wandered along having chats chasing the children and hung out. Annetta and Jeremy brought supplies for a wee picnic and well it was a perfect day. We did miss train back and I was rather Unwell 4 hours later but a sit in a bench cuddling a sleeping Daniel with Jeremy and Isabella keeping me entertained while geno and neeta went to the David mellor cafe and requested bread and ham and juice fir me so I could take my pills and the order was restored the next train came and we were back at bamford for tea and cake just as the riders got there after a great ride out. All perfectly timed of course.

The cakes made by annetta I believe were out of thus world I know the cherry fat free flan made for me on the Friday was stunning and the peach made for Saturday was equally awesome so can only image how tasty the beetroot chocolate, carrot cake and coffee yogurt choc cake was. The guys ate and ate so they must have passed muster especially as they followed the traditional hope valley w.I. Ladies cakes of the past. Well done netta and heart felt thanks from all for sharing your baking skills with us all.

Sat eve was take away fish and chips from bradwell ( I had venison roll) though the body made it's self felt and I went up to bed to lie though in pain enveloped by the live and laughter from down stairs. Thanks all........

Sunday to be continued when next get signal ............