French Exchange Pedal Bashers enjoy a luncheon at Orchard Barn

I was asked earlier in the year if I’d like to host the Teign Valley Pedal Bashers French Exchange Luncheon – it was a really fun event and particularly as the French guests left their bikes behind and walked instead………..I put that down to the fact that last time they called in for Scrumpy Cider a few years earlier half of them fell off their bikes or worse still couldn’t get on even shortly afterwards!!!

There were about 45 all up including Brit Hosts which was considered a good turn-out as it clashed with Hat Rack’s Coach trip Hash Weekend in France……….Blaster and Rough Jobs rendition of ‘Allouetta’ (sp!!) was brilliant and had everybody in stitches……….as usual. Their warm up at The Royal Oak was apparently terrific………..maybe the BBC should check out a winter edition of The Teign Valley’s Got Talent!!

Hot Pasties, Le Sandwich Anglais avec les oeuffs etc.!!!

The weather was kind despite the appalling forecast and the French Guests all had their fill of Devon Cider, Orchard Barn hospitality, the Pedal Bashers magic humour and terrific company to make this another special day for everybody.

 

Monsieur Wong from gay Paris avec le grande sourice n’est pas!!

 

 

‘Before’ and ‘After’ – Ian’s trusty Fergie T20′s at the Bridford Tractor Rally and Beer Festival

Chugging down the road all of a mile and a half to the Dunsford Straight on the first of my 2 antique exhibits was a ‘Boys Joy’ – with trailer in rear to house the trusty bike to get me too and fro over the W/E I hit top  ‘comfortable’ speed of about 15mph as I approached the muddy but drying rapidly site entrance………………..traffic wardens aplenty I bounded in and took up station in the second field with about 30 other far smarter agricultural tractors and similar engines ranging from 1905 to the more modern 1960′s I suppose.

I pedaled back via the Beer Tent and my first sippers of the day looking for the Secretary in order to book in and register my 2 x trusty charges………..and then went back home to collect the other and returned………bike in the link box this time on Fergie 2.

This was the second Bridford Rally and building on last years show, the organisers are to be congratulated on another excellent event…………although still sufficiently damp underfoot for the Steam Engines to remain on their trailers sadly and despite a glorious warm dry and sunny Sunday there they remained because at 65tons dead weight they simply wouldn’t do anything but churn up the field wherever they went and their modern trailers would invariably get stuck whilst manoeuvring in and out of the site entrance on the damper Friday afternoon.

The Beer Tent run by The Bridford Inn team was magic………….20 odd real ales to sample, locals propping up the bar and many a long tale was spun across the Weekend.

I met up with a Teign Valley Pedal Basher called Father on the Sunday afternoon and we regaled in stories of yesteryear when he was working the land and used to drive the likes of my T20 for real ploughing and earning a living from the soil………..he’s a great character and he and his wife Mudsie have sampled many a drop of Scrumpy Cider at my place over the years pulling in at various Cycle Cider  Gatherings.

It’s always a fun day out at these events and this years Bridford Vintage Tractor Rally and Beer Festival was no exception – roll on next year!!

Ian and a Teign Valley Pedal Basher called ‘Father’ line up with Fergie T2O’s at the Rally

 

 

 

Leigh Ricketts from Telford cycles from Lands End to John O Groats

Taking the approved route, Leigh Ricketts cycling on his own and raising money for Cancer Research booked into Orchard Barn B&B at Dunsford on night two of the daunting and challenging ride from England’s Toe to Tip…………following advise from the planning web to stay at Dunsford after crossing Dartmoor on Day 2 of the 14 Day ride Leigh wrote to me several months ago at the early stages of his route planning and booked in.

It was a tough second day and the wind whilst behind him was none the less unsettling as it blew him about as he cycled round and dodged the sheep, cattle and ponies on the moorland roads across the wilds of Dartmoor. he arrived knackered at 4pm after some 55 odd miles that day and was welcomed with a hot shower followed by tea and later on chocolate cake with Ian and other guests sat at the kitchen island.

After catching up with e-mails and home calls, update on Olympic progress on the TV and a lengthy chat, a sound nights sleep and a 9am hearty breakfast with another fun couple staying, Leigh set off at 1000 am the next day for day 3 and heading for Street in Somerset.

We all wish him well and a safe journey and commend him on his unselfish and laudable cause to raise money for Cancer Research…………..well done Leigh and Good Luck with the remainder of the trip.

 

 

Such joy cycling through the Devon lanes with friends……………here Ian and Flossie his partner on a tandem bike together with Patrick and Bruce on their touring bikes pull into Orchard Barn for a refreshing pint or two of Ian’s Scrumpy Cider and a light lunch whilst completing a marathon 70 mile trip last Sunday.

The team are all regular riders with the Teign Valley Pedal Bashers and cycle several times a week and clock up thousands of miles every year and also raise money in significant amounts for various charities.