We had all travelled down to Coventry in beautiful sunshine at the invitation of Sharman Technologies, to have dinner and may be invest in the latest computer wizardry they were about to launch and sell to the government. It was also a chance to celebrate Denise 5? Birthday

We met in the bar at 7.00pm and chatted about what we could expect we were all in the dark, then we were called through to the dinner and allotted places at the tables together with other guests. We were surprised that some of them were dressed as clowns, bearded ladies, Ozzy Osmond and a Circus tent!!!!

Ron Sharman and his beautiful wife Vivienne introduced the evening explaining that we would be joined, by a prominent MP and her husband. Then all hell let loose, the body of the head Technician of Sharman had been found dead in the Hotel grounds and there had been a "Murderrrrrrr".

A detective explained he would be questioning suspects and leaving evidence for us to decide who had carried out the awful deed.

On our table we had Inspector Morse (Ian) Dixon of Dock Green (Jim), The Famous Five (Jill) Inspector Barnaby (John), Eddie Shoestring (Paul) and 007 (Roy) so we guessed the crime would be solved fairly quickly.

On the other table there was Inspector Clouseou (Dennis) leading the investigation.

The evening progressed with various other guests, eg. Anthony the ex con, Steven the gambler, Sally the "lover", Eddie the PA, the MP and her Drunken hubby. All of them had a good reason to sabotage Sharman's. There was even a fight between wife and lover, and Ron had a yelling match with everyone!!!

Then Ron was also murdered and the plot thickened. The detective asked for help and we all had to say whom we thought had done it, Ron had murdered the technician but who had murdered Ron?

Roy and I said the wife Vivienne, which was right but we did not have the correct reason. The prize, for the right answer was won by the circus tent!!!!

It was a very mad dinner but very good fun and made a great change. After dinner we went down to the cellar bar for drinks and the usual Elite wings chit, chat.. Next morning the 8 bikes were off to do the tour which Roy had planned, we had tested it the previous weekend but most of it was under water!

Mark (P), Pam Ruth and Stuart had decided not to come on their bikes and they would have a relaxing day in the sauna, steam room and pool.

Terry and Jo were on their brand new silver bike, that made 4 silver bikes, one blue, Mark and Maureen, one Tango and 2 white, I think sliver bikes are taking over the world.

Our first stop was Meriden, the centre of England, Ian was asked by an elderly gentleman "Have you come far?". "No" replied Ian "Just 3 miles!

We all parked up for a quick photo shoot before heading off into the Cotswolds. Tango was leading which was very strange for us as there were no bikes in front and no dropped gloves and maps etc to pick up.

As we went through Kenilworth John and Sue were reliving their "courting" years (this was their old stomping ground) so we began to know every lay by and pub that they frequented and more besides?? On down the straight Fosse Way, which had been built by the Romans, "Still in good repair" piped up Jim, towards Stow on the Wold via some lovely Cotswolds stone villages.

We stopped in Stow for coffee and cake and a touch of window-shopping. Vanessa coveted a pair of bead encrusted shoes and after bulling poor ole Paul, she returned to the shop to buy them only to see that someone else had snapped them up. "He who hesitates is lost"

After coffee we headed off to Bourton on the Water, or 'under water' as it was the week before. The stream was still very high but life was returning to the town.

Onwards to Stratford via some white roads and recently flooded villages with blue water bowsers dotted around. As we entered Winchcombe we had a welcome from a lad on a megaphone and then in Stratford on Severn (Roy's mistake should be Avon) we were greeted by a marching band (what a well organised trip?).

We split up for lunch and all made our way to different eateries. The river was still very high but the town was packed with sightseers and holiday makers. Paul, Roy Vanessa and I grabbed a sandwich and had picnic by the river, where a juggler was tossing flaming sticks in the air. We also watched a swan take her cygnets through the crowds so they could graze on the lush wet grass.(The cygnets not the crowds)

It was getting quite hot so it was a relief to get back on the bikes and begin the trip back. Knowing how much Christine enjoys mountains and hairpins we had thrown a couple of them in to the return trip, and she said at the end that they were no trouble!! Mind you in the centre of England it is hard to find a mountain or hair pins!

Mark was keen to get a round of golf in so when we stopped for fuel he shot off to the hotel and booked some clubs and managed a few holes before dinner, poor old Maureen was his caddy.

The ride out had only a couple of "Elite" wrong turns and the weather had been brill, sunny and dry all the way round.

We all met up for dinner and once again had an enjoyable meal, with much chatter and laughter.

It was then off to the cellar bar again. They had a singer on tonight who was very good and soon the feet where beginning to tap and itch ready to dance.

Vanessa, Ruth, Jill, Maureen and Jo all got on the floor to bop and were joined by Dave. Dave is a local lad with long curly hair, silver sequined eye make up, tight trousers and a sliver embossed jacket (which Stuart plans to buy one when he goes to USA). Dave loved to dance, on his own or with the ladies, he would jig around tossing back his long curly locks, but he did not speak? All he did was kiss them on the cheeks, Jo was honoured to get 3 kisses and said she would never wash again!!

Roy was suffering with MAN flu so Denise, Ian and I went with him to another part of the cellar (where elephants go to die, Jill reckoned) and listen to the music and the regular updates from the others as to what Dave was doing now. All the men stood around watching intently the antics of the harmless Dave and their wives.

All to soon the weekend was over, and after a late breakfast and Terry being several pounds lighter, from buying bits from Roy for his new wing, everybody set off home. Dennis was leading and I hear there were only a few "Elite" about turns, got to keep the standard up.

Roy and I hope you all enjoyed yourselves as much as we did.

Thanks for joining us and we look forward to seeing you all again very soon.