4 riders turned up at the Bowling Green where Tony announced he was to be the leader as poor old Dave’s asthma was bad and he had to rest up. The plan was to do a scenic trip round West Lancs and Sefton to end up at the Blundell Sands Yacht Club where our member Steve Pickard was helping to organise the club’s RNLI day. It was lovely sunny weather for the ride and we passed through Croston and on to Rufford where we crossed the canal and on to Bispham, then through some scenic agricultural areas with the wheat and barley just showing signs of ripening. We stopped at a lay-by on one high section to admire the view over to the Irish Sea with Liverpool and Southport on the horizon. Finaly on to Town Green and into Sefton past Farmer Teds Theme park and into Great Altcar to get to Hightown and the Sailing Club.
Just as we arrived Steve was getting the chairs out, the band was setting up and the barbeque was getting stoked. So we helped out where we could and then looked out over the sandy shore where the boats we all aground waiting for the tide to come in. Soon there was a loud whooshing noise which was the sign the hovercraft from New Brighton had arrived. It travelled up and down the creek and finally came to rest opposite the clubhouse waiting for the tide to rise some more after which it relocated to a position on the beach just beside the clubhouse where we could go and inspect it at close quarters. By now the sausages, burgers and sandwiches were ready so lunch was taken with a coffee from the galley and pint from the bar.
Bob tried his luck at Tombola and won some nail varnish!! Lucky him! Richard tried as well but won nothing, typical!
By now the band had started playing and it was quite good sitting in the sun with the sound of sea shantys and other local songs being sung. As this was happening the tide was right for the arrival of the inshore Rescue Boat from Crosby to arrive. They moored up on a bouy and the crew waded ashore and came into the clubhouse to join us for refreshments.
Soon after this, the sky darkened as a squall came over the sea and rain started to fall. The band quickly decamped and we all ended up in the clubhouse. The radios on the lifeboat crews vests crackled into life and there was message that the Southport lifeboat had been despatched to aid a capsized vessel in the Ribble so I think the Crosby boat was put on standby.
We sat around the clubhouse out of the rain as much as we could but it looked set to rain for a while so Tony rang home to ask Hilda if she could provide cups of tea for us and with an affirmative answer we put on the wet weather gear and headed for Scarisbrick. Due to our very wet condition it was decided to “take tea and scones” in Tony’s newly extended man-cave. What a great place, we could almost have club meetings there!
So after about an hour of bike talk, drinking tea and eating Hilda’s scones we set off to our various destinations in light rain..
So overall a great outing, a little wet but a great day and many thanks to Hilda and Tony for the hospitality and of course to Steve and the Blundel Sands Sailing Club for a good time. We hope the RNLI benefits greatly from the event.