In my usual “helpful” way I shall begin this story part way in, as unfortunately I missed the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning of this year’s summer cycling tour. This was due to a narrow boat trip in Bath and a prolonged hangover! Anyway, we shall pick up the tale just before lunch on Thursday 24th July.
I am led to believe that the group had successfully rung at Wylye and Steeple Langford in the morning and the only complaints I heard at lunchtime was the steepness of the first hill! I also later discovered that in true Welsh Colleges style we left the tower in a worse state than we found it, when Mr Mundy decided to break a rope during the lower!
By the time I had caught up with the rest of the group (after navigating the steep climb and lethal decent over a railway line), three people had rung me and threatened to eat my lunch! Alas, I arrived at a rather good lunchtime pub, ate my food, dropped a pint and prepared for the onward journey to South Newton. Afternoon ringing was had here and at Great Wishford before we tirelessly cycled the 8 miles back to the hall with a short refreshment break on route! Shower focus was had at the local swimming pool (for those that could find it), and the group reconvened for dinner in a nearby beer garden!
As I awoke on Friday morning to the smell of English breakfast and blazing sunshine, I was pleased to discover my hangover had subsided. Today’s first tower was only 3 miles from the hall and was a ground floor 14cwt 6, (Barford St Martin). Another 6 miles later and a few hundred hills we arrived at Stratford-sub-Castle where Devon style call changes were heard! A short meander through Salisbury (dodging lorries and cars alike) saw the group arrive at another good pub for lunch! Unfortunately certain members of the group were unable to enjoy lunch as they had to rush back to the hall to clear the airbeds away! My personal thanks must go to this group for moving my multitude of bags (and even undergarments…) which were plentiful due to the following Family camping tour!
After lunch, ringing was had at Wilton before cycling 6 miles home to Dinton to ring on the 16cwt 6. A small subgroup (who shall remain nameless) were seen to rush off for some watery frolics (which consisted of throwing buckets of cold water at each other and calling it a shower), a habit which became a daily occurrence in such gloriously hot weather. The evening saw some curry focus at the hall before wandering over to the local pub for some well deserved liquid refreshment!
Saturday started much like Friday, although the temperature outside had once again risen! So breakfast was consumed, sun cream slapped on and the bikes readied for the final days cycling! A short sprint to Chilmark to play on the 12cwt 6 began proceedings before a slow steady climb to Hindon and a glide down to Tisbury completed the mornings festivities. During lunch, plans were hatched and teams announced for a striking competition to be held at Tisbury. Ringing was generally of a high standard although the jump changes, reverse rounds and firing did teams few favours with the judges. The results were announced later that evening and saw Ross Hartley’s team take home the booby prize and Becky Shipley’s team take home first prize. The last tower of the tour waited for us at the end of a long climb and consisted of a massive 26cwt peal of 6 at Semley. Some bike swapping on this journey and the journey back to the hall, saw James Mundy have 3 drivers all of whom were in need of liquid refreshment before returning to the hall for a traditional BBQ!
Every year when I sit and enjoy the Saturday evening BBQ with around 30 fellow members of the society I am genuinely impressed with the standard of food offered by the catering officers. Once again I was impressed! A feast of salads, vegetable kebabs, sausages, pork chops and burgers were lovingly prepared by Sue, Becky and their helpers! This year, rather than just consuming as much beer as possible, the society produced their own beer (through the Ludlow Brewery) which was sampled at the BBQ. The festivities continued and if I am quite honest things turned a little blurry!
Sunday morning came all too quickly, as people frantically tidied up and loaded cars! Some mad people were seen mounting their bikes and heading off into the distance…
My thanks must go to Daniel for finding such a super hall and organising a brilliant rural summer cycling tour! Thanks also go to Jeanette and Becky for organising the striking competition and Sue and Becky for their efforts in the kitchen!
Here’s to Autumn Tour!
- Paul Parker
Photos by Stephen Penney
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| Martyn Owen with an aircraft propellor as a sword | A bridge at Steeple Langford | |||
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| Martin and Percy find a geocache | A wasp finds Percy's lunch | |||
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| The pub garden at "The Rainbow On The Lake" | Getting ready to depart after lunch | |||
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| www.therainbowonthelake.co.uk | Poppy Wheeler | |||
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| Martin Hatfield | A hedge trimmed to the shape of the church at Stratford-sub-Castle | |||
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| Stratford-sub-Castle | Becky Shipley | |||
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| Paul Parker | Chilmark | |||
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| Daniel Knight, Becky Shipley and Jeanette Lord | Lounging around in the churchyard | |||
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| Bikes lined up outside the church | James Mundy, Jenny Malin and Andy Barnes | |||
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| Malcolm Murphy | Charlotte Mundy | |||
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| Rhyan Probert | This year's 'trophy' | |||
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| Paul Parker's eye (?!) | Yes, watch out | |||
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| Jeanette and Daniel judge the striking competition | Pete Hampson | |||
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| "This way...." | Eleanor Payne and Andy Barnes | |||
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| Some handbell ringing at the barbeque | ||||