Words from Steve Uprichard
Once again, the peace and tranquility of the English Lake District was interrupted by the wonderful sounds of V-Twin engines as the North West Group Buttermere Camping Weekend got under way on 22nd June.
The weather was glorious all weekend and not a drop of rain!
Some Morgans were driven from home to Buttermere. Bob Barlow was running in a new worm and wheel on his journey from Cheshire. Trevor and James Gill motored up on Friday. Tim (TD) Green, Roy Summerscales and Neil Blair called in on the Lancs and Lakes meeting on Thursday and stayed overnight. Neil had to call it a day when his oil consumption threatened to overtake his petrol consumption. I took the easy way out for the Morgan and my back by trailering to Cockermouth on the Thursday. Bob and Flo Angell and Dennis and Val Winstanley towed with their super motor homes and Greg and Bridget Bibby towed from Kibworth. Dick and Audrey Dumbleton came along in their very nice 1950’s +4.
Bob Barlow lost the top of his float chamber on the journey north and the search was on for a fix. TD came up with the perfect solution; the cap from his shaving gel fitted perfectly!
The hardy folk camped. Greg had left it too late to book a room at The Fish and stayed in a new luxury Yurt on the campsite. I stayed in The Fish and Dick and Audrey in The Bridge.
Friday afternoon we were joined by Alister Kyle who later travelled with Greg on our jaunts. The usual liquid refreshment at The Fish was followed by a lovely meal.
Saturday morning breakfast was taken early and the convoy was ready to roll by 10:30am. We travelled out of the valley via the 1 in 4 Honister Pass, then through Keswick, around the back of Bassenthwaite Lake to Ireby where we planned to take lunch. Sods law prevailed – the pub was shut! We travelled on to Hesket Newmarket and enjoyed a pint and a light lunch in The Crown. Bob Angell plotted a great route back to Buttermere via Newlands Pass, another 1 in 4 hill.
A relaxing Saturday evening was spent back in The Fish with lots to chat about, not least the monster tractor that had slowed us down on our little jaunt.
Sunday morning dawned and I heard the sound of a V-Twin climbing over Newlands Pass; Bob Barlow had to leave early. We chatted, wiped oily engines and folk started to drift away…. until next year.
The photos. A selection from Bob Angell, Bob Barlow, Greg Bibby and Steve Uprichard
