LINCS WINGS Out and About

 (Aug - Dec) 2016

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Here are photos from different events and visits during 2016
sent in by our members.

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Lincs Wings Xmas Bash - December 2016

Lincs Wings enjoyed a weekend Xmas bash at the Grosvenor Hotel in Skegness 9-11 December.  We started arriving on Friday afternoon to find our rooms and enjoy a lovely carvery for our evening meal.  Of course the bar was open, and we were entertained by a talented singer Evonne Rivers.  Later we were invited to join the party group celebrating upstairs and being entertained by the UB40 Experience.  It was a great (loud) evening and after the party finished some revellers went on to continue their celebrations in the bar.  Not going to say who was dancing on the bar !! 

Saturday morning started with a spanking full English breakfast and all the trimmings.  Then most of us (who were still mobile) took to invest the town with our presence and largesse.  Skegness was a most pleasant place to visit with a splendid Christmas Market and live entertainment.  We returned to base in the afternoon for coffee and a nice lie down ready to start the party again later.

At 7.30pm we assembled once again in the bar and then went through into a splendid dining room for our Xmas dinner.  As is our tradition, barely any of us could recall what we had ordered so the service at table included a little horse trading until everyone was satisfied with their meal.  However, the meal and service were both excellent.  After desserts we were joined by Marty Wilson, vocalist and guitarist, who entertained us royally throughout the evening despite his very sore throat - bless him.

Sunday morning began with soluble aspirin and a full English Breakfast before we all packed up and made our ways home. 

Our thanks to Sandy for negotiating a great deal for the weekend and our thanks to everyone who attended and for all our visiting wingers that came from many other regions to help us celebrate our Xmas Party.  Finally a special word of thanks the Management and Staff at the Grosvenor Hotel for a truly enjoyable Christmas weekend.

Here are a few photos from the weekend so see if you can spot the participants.

 

Pictures by Stephen and Lynne

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Skegness Light Parade - 24 September 2016

Our annual Light Parade in Skegness went ahead as scheduled and we were lucky to just catch the good weather throughout the weekend.  Friday was the day for arrivals at the Golden Palm Holiday resort and that evening we had a static light show in the Car Park, judged by the Golden Palm Staff.  Saturday began with assembly at 10.00am in the RNLI Car Park and Goldwings soon began to park up and inscribe for the parade.  

Lots of visitors came to look at the bikes and to ask the usual questions.  Then at 12.00, Stephen/Lynne and Dick/Pat departed for Hildreds Shopping Centre where they set up a forward operating post to tell shoppers about the parade and to direct them down to the RNLI.  During the afternoon we were thrilled to see Jack and his family once again.  Jack has cerebral palsy which means he has difficulty moving and speaking.  However, he was once again thrilled to sit on a Goldwing to have his picture taken

But Jack wasn't the only kid who wanted to sit astride a wing:

Bikes dispersed at 4.00pm and then re-assembled at 6.30pm getting lined up for the parade to begin.  Sandy led off with his trike and a lucky passenger riding in his trailer followed closely by 120 goldwings all lit us in their finest glory.  The parade took in the high street and the North Parade going both up and back.  This allowed the visiting crowds (of which there seemed to be thousands) to get a good look at the wings both coming and going. 

The parade raised over £2400 towards the RNLI Charity and we wish to express our sincere thanks to both the staff of the Skegness RNLI and the  Golden Palm Holiday Resort for their steadfast support and assistance.  A full report will appear on the SKLP site as soon as I receive all of the photos.  In the meantime, prepare for next years SKLP to be held on 30 September 2017 and check out the Start and the 'return to base' videos of the Skegness Light Parade 2016 on You Tube. 

Pictures by Stephen and Lynne

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Berwick Light Parade - 17 Sep 2016

Martin & Christine, Paul & Sonny made the trip up 't' North to take part in the Berwick Light Parade.  At least the weather was kind to them as it was chucking it down in Lincolnshire.  Well done to the Goldwing Misfits for organising yet another great annual event.  Next year's parade will take place on 16 Sept 2017 so put it in your diaries.

Pictures sent in by Christine

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Cruising Route 66 - 21 Jul/6 Aug 2016

Ian and Sue made a visit to the USA this year to cruise on Route 66.  They were there for 16 days, 14 with a wing and riding for 12 days.  During their trip they covered a total of 2875 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica pier including grand Canyon, the Petrified Forest (also known as painted desert),  Las Vegas and Hoover Dam.  Most days they were riding in temperatures in the high 90’s/ low 100’s (that's Fahrenheit).   The hottest temperature shown on the Wing's temp gauge was 116 degrees, going through the Mojave Desert.  Here are a few photos from along their journey with a great group of fellow bikers.

 Pictures by Ian and Sue

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Boston Steam Festival - 3/4 Sep 2016

Our original plan for the Boston Steam Festival, was for Lincs Wingers to camp for the weekend and enjoy a nice chill and chat to end the season.  Unfortunately, instead of basking in the last gentle sunbeams of summer, we had rain, dark clouds, wind and cold.  Ah well no plan ever survives first contact with reality ! The Festival takes place between Saturday and Sunday but the weather forecast for Saturday was dire.  So we opted to make a day visit on Sunday when bright sunshine and clear skies was promised.  The ride out was made a little dicey with very strong cross winds - and since most roads around Boston have deep ditches at either side, its best not to get blown off the road at any point!.  Attending the event was Dick/Pat, Martin G, Stephen/Lynne, ian/Sue and Sandy (who brought with him the camping stove, kettle and the makings for hot drinks).  The event includes vintage cars, bikes, trucks, traction engines and tractors as well as some beautiful miniature steam engines.  When the vintage bikes paraded around, Stephen added his Goldwing to the end of the parade just to show what a real bike looks like.  Each of the categories were paraded in turn whilst a very talented commentator provided a running commentary on each of the vehicles and then interviewed drivers on their individual machines.

The event also included many stalls offering tools, spares, clothing food and all sorts of other items so it was great to just stroll around to browse and buy. There was also a splendid 'Birds of Prey' exhibition where it was possible to handle the birds and get a much closer look at these magnificent creatures.

The Goldwings as always provided a welcome spectacle for visitors and we had many people asking questions and just plain admiring the view.  We even had some who wanted to have a go!! So apart from the weather (which still managed to rain on us) we had a great day out.

Pictures by Stephen and Lynne

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Portugal and Spain 2 - 12 June 2016

My travelling correspondent (Debbie) sent me these photos of her trip, with Mark, to the Portugal and Spain Treffens.    

 

Pictures by Debbie

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UK Treffen - 25 - 29 Aug 2016

The UK Treffen was held at Oswestry Show Ground this year. A slightly lower turn-out than last year for Lincs Wings but Sandy, Stephen/Marie, Stephen/Lynne, Mark/Debbie, Griff/Tracy, Larry/Caroll, Ian/Sue and Dennis/Gwen all managed to get there.  As before, Sandy managed the bar and made lots of thirsty wingers very happy.  The Treffen was a really friendly affair with excellent organisation, great entertainment and a varied program.  The light Parade on Friday night was a real treat for locals living in the neighbouring villages as well as the Parade of Nations which retraced the same route on the Saturday afternoon.  Mark tried his hand at the rider skills competition and Stephen T entered his bike in the ‘best bike competition’.  Unfortunately neither of us received a prize but Stephen and Marie did receive a trophy for visiting 10 Treffens last year as well as Larry who had attended 4 Treffens.  Overall a great weekend meeting lots of friends both old and new.

Pictures by Lynne

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Woody's Bike Night - 15 Aug 2016

Every monday evening from 6.00pm till late, Woodland Waters in Ancaster hosts a Bike Night at Woody's Bar and Restaurant.  So a group of us decided to go down and see how things were progressing.  On the approach to Ancaster, bikes were converging from all directions and Woody's Bar was already packed with bikers as early as 6.30pm.  We had a fairly good showing for the eveing with Paul/Sonny, Dick/Pat, Martin/Christine, Ian/Sue, Trev/Marion, and me (Stephen).  The wingers took over a table and Christine produced a tin of home made cakes whilst she and Martin drank tea from china cups.  Yes we're bikers - but awfully refined.  We sat and chatted for a few hours and then did the rounds to admire all the shining metalwork that was parked opposite.  It was a lovely evening and it was most enjoyable to share the evening with so many bikers.  So if you are free on a Monday - why not call by and have a burger and enjoy the moment.

Pictures by Stephen

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Billinghay Vintage Festival - 14 August 2016

Sunday 14th Aug started out bright and clear, which was good news for Billinghay Village who hold their Vintage Festival at this time each year.  The Festival has local sponsors and is run to raise monies in aid of the Notts and Lincs Air Ambulance.  As this objective runs in-line with Lincs Wings chosen charity, it was very nice to have a few of us out there to show off our wings and to promote the Air Ambulance Charity and of course the upcoming Skegness Light Parade.  The festival included lots of enthusiasts showing off lovingly restored and maintained small steam and petrol engines, vintage cars, tractors and farm machinery and other bigger trucks and vehicles.  They even had a beautiful steam organ on show. There were also lots of stalls selling goods, nick-nacks, drinks, food and confectionary.  Yours truly (Stephen) along with his partner in crime (Rob) were up on stage to entertain the troops for the morning session and we even had some dancers and singers to join in with us.  The turnout was just about right for the show with Dick/Pat and Martin/Christine on their trikes, Ian/Sue and Stephen/Lynne on our 1800 solos and Martin with his lovingly restored GL1000. 

 

Pictures by Stephen and Lynne

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Yorks Wing Ding 5 - 7 Aug 2016

Yorks wings had been the best attended region at our own wing ding so it was only fair for some of us (Stephen/Lynne, Stephen/Marie, Doug/Sue, Mark/Debbie) to pop over the Humber Bridge to enjoy a weekend at the Yorks wing ding.  The site was at the Driffield Rugby Club which offered nice flat ground on their numerous rugby pitches.  Unfortunately under about 2 inches of soil it was full of stones.  So many bent tent pegs later, our tent was finally up and proof against the wind.  Food and drinks were provided in the Club house and we were entertained by the resident Disco and Karaoke and the Fancy Dress competition based on Disney characters.  Saturday was the ride out to Withernsea to join up with a massive Bike Festival being held in the seaside town.  We set out at 10.00 sharp with around 57 bikes in the convoy.  Using the drop-off system, plus some judicious blocking of awkward junctions in towns the group managed to keep to the route and we arrived in Withernsea pretty much all together.  Yes 57 wings made an awesome sight as we rode through the town to the seafront.  We parked up for the day and then set out to enjoy the entertainments and nourishments.  Returning to Driffield we enjoyed watching the tug of war and other 'athletics' before joining everyone for the evening entertainment, award presentations and the raffle (Stephen and Marie won a Goldwing Pouch).  Saturday night was particularly windy - you could hear people getting out in the middle of the night to bang pegs back into place in order to keep their tents in this region!.  Sunday dawned bright clear and windy but it was enough to pack up dry tents and then head off home.

Congrats to York Wings for a well attended wing ding (over 110 inscriptions) and a well organised ride out.

Pictures by Stephen 

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