Wykehurst

Wykehurst

This is a tenous link to my forthcoming journey, but couldn't miss it out. I've just spent a working weekend at the Wykhurst project in Kent. The Regia Saxon re-enactor society have an 11th century Long house that they have been building for ten years. See below.

When I saw this I was blown away. Sincere thanks to my friends Carole, Alan and Owen for sharing this with me. Thanks to the whole Regia gang for their hospitality. The memory of nights sitting around the fire in the longhouse will stay with me. Working on this building for a weekend was a wonderful thing to do.

Nordkapp. The tenuous link. Away from the long house I was camping, so got to review what I am taking with me next month. It was bloody cold ! I am going to need to invest in a four season bag. Also Tromso accommodation isn't falling into place. There is not much in the way of budget options available. I may end up camping, so need to decide what to take. My equipment pile is getting seriously large !!

Myton Hospice

Several people asked me if I was making the trip to raise money for a charity, and the answer is yes. I'm raising money for Myton Hospices. Please see my fundraising page www.virginmoneygiving.com/KevinWinterburn

It's years since they nursed Dad at the end of his illness, but we as a family have never forgotten the kindness, care, and dignity given to him during those awful last weeks. Myton do a wonderful job and are well worth supporting. The Virgin site manages on line donations, sorting out gift aid so that Myton Hospices get more than £12 for every £10 donated. Thank you very much indeed to all who have already donated.

ORT (Operational Readinesss Testing) !

I guess I'll always be an operations planner at heart. I need to check the new equipment I'm acquiring, ready for the trip. It's the May Day Holiday and the occasion is the BM Riders Club Keldy Cabin Rally. The Keldy Forestry site on the North Yorkshire Moors provided a reasonable approximation of Scandinavia, even down to the log cabins and hot tubs. The English holiday weather obliged with Arctic winds and hail. A generally cold weekend. Costa Coffee provided Scandinavian prices. If I could have found an IKEA, the simulation would heave been complete.

I'd forgotten how challenging some of the roads of North Yorkshire are, especially within the national park. It provided ample cornering practice to blow away the winter cobwebs. The weekend has deffinately improved my riding ready for the new season. It was a brilliant weekend with the BM Riders club gang. Two excellent ride-outs exploring the moors, and convivial evenings of like minded company. Ten other bikers to share the misery of cold British weather with.

I have been suffering technology overload. I need practice with the satnav and digital camera. Taking a phone call via my bluetooth helmet nearly dumped me on my arse! I'll disconnect that bit. Note to self: Crap at multi tasking. Updating this blog proved a problem. I'm writing it up at home with a hot mug of tea. Internet access proved impossible. Lots of free Wi-Fi, but I don't have a device to use it. Pickering public library has terminals and access, but was shut for the holiday, as was the Internet Cafe in Kirkbymoorside that I rode out to find. I need to check out mini notebooks, and the type of access available at Scandinavian campsites and hostels. It's a steep learning curve for sure!
















It was inevitable that we stop at a pub I guess. Even though we are not drinking while driving, we just couldn't drive past.