In a close fought battle for the glory of winning the Rookhope Ryde, here are the results from our event committee 1st John Robinson KOBI 2nd Peter Bates – merely BI 3rd Geoff Grigg 4th Russell Thornton 5th Brian Metcalfe 6th Denny Chappell 7th Charles Plumeridge 8th Peter Thompson 9th Kelven MacNish 10th Mark Bell Congratulations to all who took part and thanks to all the helpers. It was even good weather!!

Hot news! As Son of Sam is a modified T160, John will also be bringing a standard T160 for comparison. It going to be good!!

As no-one has expressed an interest in the Cumberland Hotel menu, I'll be cancelling the reservation. As has been suggested by a few people, there is the The Nook Farm Shop and Café, just to the North of Alston. I'll put directions on the route sheet if it takes your fancy, but please be back at the Texaco garage in Alston by 1.30 for the handing out of afternoon routes. THE NOOK FARM SHOP & CAFE, Alston - Updated 2021 Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor

Martin Vincent has passed on this information about the lunch stop at Alston:- You may want to consider a half hour at the Hub Museum. The museum (£2 entry) has a very interesting collection of classic motorcycles and cars, including Velo KSS, Rudge, Douglas,, early Triumph, even an AA BSA M21 combination. There is a good cafe 50yds away at the old railway station where you will find narrow gauge steam trains. There is ample parking at the museum and station. It's at the bottom end of town where you will also find The Cumberland Inn, Alston House and other hostelries close by. We’ll be handing out the return routes at 1.30 next to the Texaco garage so don’t get carried away!

We have checked the route out for this run and this is just some information about the Lunch Stop, which is basically Alston. For the next few months, the main hill in Alston (which is on the route to Teesdale and Weardale) is closed for repair. Apart from anything else, this has had an effect upon the small businesses in the town. Specifically for us, quite a few of the small cafes are shut. Therefore for lunch we would suggest the following alternatives:- Take your own bait Get some food from the garage next to where we suggest parking. They do hot stuff, cold sandwiches and coffee/tea. We have tentatively booked a table at the Cumberland Inn (right next to the garage). They offer Sunday Lunches but they will be busy so they have asked that we tell them beforehand if we need the table. It has to be said that prices reflect the post-Brexit, post-Covid reality. Here is a specimen menu, They also do sandwiches. If you want to partake of lunch at the Cumberland Arms, please let me know ASAP

Martyn, we are still managing to do something. It's just that, this year, only people registered as staying on the campsite can be on the campsite. We'll have a good time and raise a glass in your honour! 👍

Just to let you know that entries for the Northumbrian Gathering are closed and that we will not be accepting any day entries. Also please note that the campsite management are restricting access to their property to those people that are registered as staying there only. This is due to current covid restrictions. Hopefully we'll all be back to normal next year!

I have made all the appropriate sacrifices and appeasements so here's hoping for the good weather to continue.

We have agree that we will delay the decision to return until the Golf Club Committee can review how well their Covid procedures are running after they reopen on the 17th. Therefore, the earliest date we will return is the 24th of May.

For other accommodation, here is the latest list we have

I hope you all enjoyed that - if you have any more suggestions for speakers or items of general interest, please let me know.

Lovely pictures Martyn

You are dazzled by it's brilliance? I know the feeling!

Aidan, will have to investigate - I'll be back!!

If you are reading this on Monday the 1st of Feb - it's on tonight!

Now don't forget this great talk by Rob. It's going to be good!

Steve I have put a section for new posts at the bottom of the Forum page. I'll have to ask about unread posts in the developers forum.

You can 'follow' the posts and get an email when someone posts in the category you are following. I'll check if there is something simpler.

I like to think of it as an acquired taste, but I take your point!

Oh well - it would be eligible now!