Thought I should title it posh like as we dine in airy if elderly and slightly faded luxury.
The Bear at Crickhowell, a long, very long, established coaching inn, welcomes us each year with good ale and comestibles. Geoff and Diana Morriss do the arranging and this year, 47 of us joined with them once again to enjoy our usual noisy fellowship. Some members arrived using the correct mode of transport but most of us were not so intrepid. More importantly, we were all delighted that Dr. Pauline was able to join us. Good job the Welsh border post wasn't equipped with metal detectors! Tough girl, she looked terrific.
P.E. Jeff, having despatched Dottie on four wheels, arrived in the nick of lunchtime, on his new steed with new tyres. Guess what? He's gone all civilized and bought a BM. Now there are only the Kentish pair who are regularly 'Panned.' We discovered our P.P. has upgraded his Trumpet; apparently it now blows his mind as well as his eardrums! In fact Jean decided to come on her own so that must say it all!
Our two Honorary Ladies were in attendance and several members gave their apologies including the Cretan Martin's, Spanish Crandon's, Welsh James's and Wherret's.
Health updates on a certain Black horse from Newmarket was very pleasantly received, whilst the Garmstons were still in bed having returned from the Antipodes, or somewhere somewhat south of the same town.
President Alan welcomed all and with his usual lighthearted aplomb (it's demob happiness you know) distributed not one but three Whoops Awards which he describes in his final "Corner" above. Mind you, Trish Chilton nearly earned one for elbowing the tarmac rather than Paul, after successfully completing her CBT, before dismounting involuntarily! Meanwhile Paul, having acquired a signed copy of Charlie Boorman's book, which should have been entitled "Downhill to Dakar" or similar, raffled it off in aid of "Riders for Health" who are now £130-00 better off. Well-done Paul.
We finally broke up about teatime and departed well chuffed with our first meeting of 2007 and looking forward to the next.