After 3 long distance drives to events in May and June, I had to force myself to stay at home and let both my car and wallet recover from those, what with petrol prices and the state of the roads etc, however as my diary was relatively clear during August, the lure of catching up with friends (and the siren call of the lardy cake…..) was a very “do-able” day trip “Across the Bridge” from home in the South Wales Valleys to rural Wiltshire, so off I went eastwards on a damp Saturday morning, full of the joys of the anticipated good day out.
Two distractions awaited – road closure on the normal route from the M4 between Marlborough and Pewsey with a diversion onto 2 unfamiliar (to me) roads, not a great problem, however on the 2nd of these roads, I glanced at my satnav to get a fix on how far I still had to go and 10 seconds later I was flagged in by the police, as when I distracted myself I inadvertently missed entering a short 30mph area and the Wiltshire Constabulary were taking quick advantage of enhancing the Christmas Party fund or similar and I was their first catch on what was a super hunting day opportunity for them! Oh dear, curses, never mind, carry on!
So, no excuses to offer, guilty m’lud; my rights were read by WPC Officious and I was presented with a pretty pink slip in anticipation of what is to come compliments of the Royal Mail in due course. Then I bid the team well and very gently spent the next 10 minutes driving at about 25mph before arrival at the Bouverie Hall (via Marshall’s Bakery of course – see result of that in the photo album to follow!).
Was the “anticipated good day out” spoiled? Nah, ‘course not! Once I had licked wounds and dived into Marshall’s Bakery for cream cake solutions, all was (almost) wonderful again and I made my way into the hall to find some 60 or so visitors mingling with a good number of participants who had come along with a splendid variety of demonstrations and “works in progress”, just right for a super few hours of learning and friendly conversation with friends and colleagues in the hobby. Full appreciation to Andy Cundick and his Wiltshire Group colleagues for laying on a very well organised, interesting and enjoyable little informal event.
Only a very short photo report this time and I have concentrated mainly on the good people rather than close ups of soldering irons and fingers stuck to cutting mats via superglue leaks etc!
