Event
Report
The
2007 Skipton Weekender
Report
by Dave Simpson
The
production team (or rather one man band), who organised this extravaganza
was the same as last years weekend away, yes we can only blame Bry Watson
sometimes known as the "Italian". The participants in the event
are also the same as last year so they really should have known better,
however we sallied forth with eyes wide open, well most of us anyway seeing
that it was a Saturday.
The
team left in ones and two’s early Saturday afternoon and in the case of
your secretary first out of the trap, which was a disappointment to the
secretaries better half as it meant she had to keep her eyes open and
navigate. She was eventually persuaded by Bry, that the idea was in fact to
read the route notes and not go by the most direct route involving main
roads and road signs. The route took in a very good selection of the most
evil little dales roads over the top of the dales eventually into Skipton,
with the usual stunning views one gets on these roads, they must be some of
the best in England. It wasn’t the best of days regarding weather but
certainly not the worst we’ve had lately and it turned out quite a
reasonable afternoon, although it meant the soft top merchants had to keep
their lids on.
Most
of us arrived at the Tempest Arms more or less on time except for one member
who was last seen heading for Preston (I won’t tell them it was you
Craig), anyway it dawned on the said member that something was wrong and he
eventually turned round and found base at the second attempt, we were on
second pints by then, much to his disgust.
Rooms
allotted. quick wash and brush up, transport into Skipton arranged without
too much hassle, surprise, surprise, and off we went to take to the water,
not literally of course, but anything could happen with this lot.
Fortunately the evening aboard the canal boat went extremely well. The
driver or Skipper in nautical terms, did have to put up with some rowdy
barracking during his safety speech, but he accepted it in good humor, I
suppose he’s heard it all before anyway.
The
evening was supposed to include a hot buffet and indeed it did, of sorts!
A
jacket potato for everyone was produced, much to the dismay of Craig who was
threatening to eat the table, the waitress or anything else he could lay
hands on. He was eventually restrained by the opening of the bar, at which
point Alan promptly ordered two pints at a time just in case they ran out
before we got back to dry land.
We
were entertained throughout by a pleasant little combo and lady country
style singer who we persuaded to read out the results of the caption
competition, quite what the rest of the people on board made of it all I don’t
know. On returning to the quayside and disembarking a chippy was found to
placate Craig whilst waiting for the taxi to return us to base before last
orders, which we managed to get the management to postpone until midnight, I
think !
The
morning brought the inevitable rain storm but every one made the breakfast
table (unlike last year) before setting of for the return leg, with the rain
moving on quickly and pleasant sunshine for the run home, starting with a
short run to Kettlewell for lunch.
Unfortunately
asking the secretaries wife to navigate two days running was just to much
and an off route excursion was taken before rejoining the official route
home, missing the lunch stop. It did succeed in getting us back first though
and we finished the weekend from where we started. Once again an excellent
weekend was had with no serious happenings and plenty of laughs, which after
all was the main point of the exercise.
Many
thanks go to Bry the organiser, we know these events don’t just happen,
and next year it would be nice to see some new faces, that's if you think
you can hack it ? ! ! !
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