View Item

Ian and Lisa Warren2021-07-28 21:13:26Taunton
June 2021 Report
June 2021 Report

Back in February when the only way we could meet was on Zoom and we were all bemoaning the fact that holidays this year might not happen, I happened to suggest that perhaps we should think about a few days camping and cycling. Very quickly the idea took off and before we knew it I had booked for 24 of us to go to Thorney Lakes in Muchelney near Langport, the site of the 2015 TC rally. 
Deliberately we decided to keep the numbers under 30 as we didn’t know what the COVID situation would be by in July and it’s just as well we did as the original freedom day was delayed at the last minute.
The plan was for it to be a very relaxed week with no particular route planned for each day but roughly based on the 2015 rally routes.

On Sunday Taunton TC group’s monthly meeting started from Thorney Lakes and we were joined by some members who were not staying at the campsite. Len and Gill had planned an excellent route to Glastonbury, a town always worth a visit and always an interesting experience.

Monday saw most of us heading off in the direction of Sparkford and Cadbury Castle and a fabulous lunch at Teals farm shop - another route suggestion from Len and Gill with the benefit of some local knowledge of the area.

On Tuesday we decided to do Thursday’s rides, confusing I know but Tuesday’s ride was another trip to Glastonbury so the general feeling was we had only just been there. 
A few of us set off on the medium route but after being disappointed that the cider farm would sell us cake but weren’t doing coffee, Bill and I opted to leave the others here and head to Ilminster for lunch and return through the grounds of Dillington House. Anita, Andy, Michelle and Richard carried on completing the medium but encountered some problems with the route due to localised flooding near Chard and they had to scramble over a fallen tree. Other members of the group had a fabulous day out at Barrington Court.

Wednesday was a rest day and most of us had a look round Langport and enjoy a well-earned lunch.

Thursday we decided to do Monday’s ride (yes I know!!) which took us through Yeovil and on to Sherborne for a picnic lunch at the Abbey. Malcolm had planned a shorter ride and headed off through the lanes to Montacute House.

On Friday we actually did the Friday ride! A short route with a stop at the community cafe in North Curry returning via Langport.

Because of the COVID situation we were unsure just what social events we would be able to have but most nights we managed to have some sort of impromptu gathering. On Monday we had a sing song led by Nick and James, who had both brought along their mandolins. On Tuesday night Malcolm organised a boules competition which was won by Michelle and Richard after a tense final with Clive and Emma. Wednesday night was Tandem Games, the slow race being won by Andy and Anita. On Thursday night we had a socially distanced night out and meal at the local pub, the Wyndham Arms, famous for displaying a very old CTC winged badge at the front of the pub. We celebrated our final night with another gathering, sing song and fire pit.

Considering the recent events we were very pleased with the week. We stayed local, and friends met up for the first time in many months. Unfortunately, new members to our group, Kate and Malcolm had to return home hastily because of flash flooding and Ian and Lisa were not able to join us until Thursday. They had been isolating as a result of being pinged by the app! They were absolutely devastated to have missed most of the week as they had been coordinating the event since March, collating the routes itineraries. 

The highlights of the week for me were the enjoyment of cycling with friends, the willingness of everyone to contribute something to the week whether it was organising rides and social get togethers or supplying tea cake at the end of the rides. Everyone was free to do as many or as few miles as they wanted and our daily mileages varied greatly. Thorney Lakes is a fabulous relaxed campsite with excellent facilities and the most amazing sunsets. Sally and her team looked after us well and we would recommend a visit but just make sure to check the date of their annual Nudefest. Fortunately I had the foresight to check this when booking so we left before the naturists arrived the following Monday!

Katherine and Bill Barnes