Once again Elite wings were tempted to try a weekend away, after the long cold winter it was a welcome change.

Paul, Angela, David, Megan, Dennis and Christine, took the scenic route, from Burton-on-Trent down through the Cotswolds to the Holiday Inn at Gloucester, while other folks were busy working.

Jan and Mike, Clive and Gina, Joe and Issy all arrived from their various corners of England, Roy and I were as usual a little late - I was held up in meeting at work.

After the a quick scrub up we all met in the lounge for pre dinner drinks. After a very pleasant meal we all sang Happy Birthday to Dennis as he tried to blow out the 4 candles (each representing 20 years, he doesn't look too bad does he?) on top of a huge chocolate cake that Angela had hidden in the kitchen.

Roy was full of cold (not a pretty sight) so Jan was dosing him up with all sorts of medicine, don't know what it was Jan but he slept all night!!

Next morning dawned, dry and sunny. David decided to demonstrate how good these wheel locks were at preventing any one stealing your bike, by trying to ride off with his new one still attached, it really works!! And he laid the bike down. Megan is going to tie a piece of tape to the handle bars so if David has another 'senior' moment he will remember the lock. Still it was the only lay down of the weekend, I think?

Paul lead us through some beautiful Gloucester countryside, along the banks of the wide Severn as it headed down towards the Bristol channel, on the surface is looked quite rough and there were wind surfers kitted up ready to display their skills.

There was the usual banter on the CB's as to why there were so many trees around, apparently it was because we were in the beautiful Forest of Dean. We then pulled into the converted and preserved Tintern Station for our first coffee stop of the day. As we had caught them napping, they did not open for 15 mins some of the more energetic ones walked 200 yards to look at some carved wooden statues. We were all busy trying to work out who they were, Jan said they all had the same name but we realised that was the name of the artist, (a real 'senior moment')!! David however found a huge poster (how did we miss that?) explaining who they were etc.

We then toddled back to the station for a drink and cake, it was there that Rodger and Edit joined us resplendent in their new air flow jackets. Now we were 8 bikes.

Once more we travelled on up through Monmouthshire towards Hay on Wye. Paul and Angela had put a lot of work into the routes as the scenery was forever changing and the roads quiet. We passed Red, White and Blue trees but we did not have a tree expert with us so I do not know what variety they were.

We pulled into Hay on Wye, the book town and there waiting for us was Bob and Gez, who were joining us for a night and Mick and Netty plus Russell minus Sue who had ridden over for the day. For some reason we all went in search of food (having forgotten we had already eaten). Jan had conveniently forgotten to pack a top for the evening so we went shopping for a bargain while Roy looked for James Bond books.

When we got back to the bikes Mo and Tina (looking very well) were there to greet us, they were staying at Ledbury for the weekend. Once more back on the bikes, by now the weather was hot and sunny as 9 bikes wound their way back through the Monmouthshire for our next tea stop. The image of Derek was with us as both his old bikes were in the pack, yellow peril and the white shark, and we missed him.

The tea stop was at the Forest of Dean visitor's centre where we all sat out in the sun, after we had taken all the tables and chairs from inside, overlooking the lake and watching the fish and fowl dart around. The sun was very hot and I am sure there were a few 'very senior' cat naps taken in the heat. It was too lovely to leave but the swimming pool beckoned and so did our dinner.

After a carvery meal and the remains of Dennis' cake were demolished we sat around red faced and relaxed. Gez tried to get a game of Chinese whispers going but we had trouble remembering the message being passed to us. Clive and Gina were very wise and went for a stroll.

Another early morning and this time we are off to Bristol (whoopee do) Bristol is not our favourite place but we went along for the ride.

The general discussion on the CB was whether any of the lady passengers would sleep with John Prescott? The resounding answer was no!!! Although some took longer to answer than others!!!

Paul then set us all a puzzle 'How many Yew trees were there in Painswick churchyard?' As we drove through the village we were greeted by 100's of yew trees all different shapes and sizes, there were various guesses but no one got it right, apparently there are 99. He said he had more questions as the day wore on.

The route to Bristol took in some beautiful south Cotswolds villages and even the trip into Bristol Town was smooth and traffic free. We pulled into the SS Great Britain dock and there to greet us was Richard and Françoise. It was their first time out on the bike this year as Richard has now given up spying and trying his hand at DIY.

After a drink at the local visitors cafe, in which Rodger the Door Man kindly open the disabled loo door for me (well, there was a queue for the ladies) and to his horror there was already a lady using its facilities!! I do not know who was redder Rodger or the lady, although she smiled when she came out! We split into different groups some like Clive and Gina, Paul and Angela, Richard and Françoise off to explore the harbour and town, but many of us decided to visit the SS Great Britain. Dave found out they did senior discounts so he was happy. Roy and I Jan and Mike wanted our photo taken by the stern of the iron ship, but we asked Forrest Gump's, brother, to take our photo so it was a drawn out affair and we had to ask another person to take our photo in the end (Life is like a box of chocolates).

SS Great Britain was really really interesting and I would recommend a visit. Roy didn't know how we were going to fill 3 hours but it was all to soon time to get back to the bikes, we asked Joe and Issy who had already eaten if they could tell Paul to go on without us as we needed a bite to eat but the whole group were still waiting when we reached the bikes, as everyone had had a very interesting time in Bristol. I take it all back Bristol is not that bad, on a sunny day with some good friends.

Richard and Françoise were joining us to the afternoon tea stop at the Cotswold Water Park, and then they would set off home. Again Paul's routes were a pleasure to travel along and his next question was 'which river rises at Lechlade?' I knew that, 'it's the Thames'. One point to me!

We caused a stir at the Water park as we all pulled on and were directed to the coach park right by the cafe entrance, ideal for our next refreshment stop. Edit succumbed to purchasing a new fleece for when she is horse riding.

Soon we were on our final leg home, after saying goodbye to Richard and Françoise, there was another question from Paul, Who were the first occupants of some cottages, we passed in some village starting with 'B' famous for trout, well Dennis won, it was... SHEEP, so now we are one all.

After dinner Mo and Tina joined us for a chat and a drink before heading off to Ledbury once more.

On Monday we all packed up and said our farewells. It was a really lovely weekend; Roy and I enjoyed both company and the travelling. Thank you Paul and Angela for all the hard work you put in to planning the route and we hope to see everyone again very soon.

Funny though I didn't see the windscreen fairy all weekend, I was told it was because the bike cover was on?