Well hows that for a bit of luck, Wednesday night just gone was our Christmas Meal ride and how good was that to have a little snow on the night to add to the atmosphere.

A total of 17 of us were due at the Kings Head in Holmbury to eat at 8.30. and of those, 11 of us were riding there. Meeting as usual at 6.30 at Nirvana we set off up the newly surfaced rookery climb, along Wolvens lane before takeing a couple of cheeky trails past Tillingbourne waterfall to Broadmoor then up, over and down to Friday Street.

The Stephen Langton was our planned number 1 beer stop of the evening and we all greatfully pilled in to warm up and enjoy our 1st pint which was so good it was quickly followed by a 2nd. Mark turned up on his own to complete the 11 riders for the evening and at 8pm prompt we all geared back up and headed back out into the sleet to push on over towards Holmbury.

After a climb up the road out of Friday Street we made our way over to Abinger Common where we dropped in on Joe and Kellys new house, Joe was there looking smug in the warm and as we pressed on over to Holmbury he jumped in his car to make the same journey.

Still the sleet came down but the beer was keeping us all warm as with more cheeky trails we continued on towards Holmbury. We arrived via tracks that go near Belmont School just in time for 8.30. and found Nashie alone at the bar looking a little sheepish, clearly he was glad when we all turned up.

With Joe, Paul and Duncan all arriving under their own steam over the next few minutes we were all there with the exception Of Dave and Yvonne. Now they have a reputation for being a little on the late side so with all our glasses once again charged it was time to take our seats.

As with the previous couple of years the food was excellent with plenty of Turkey and veg to go around, Dave and Yvonne even managed to turn up just as the rest of us were finishing our mains. It was at this point that the now traditional 'Calanders' were handed out, each one personallised for the recipiant and now incorporating Duncans 'Dorking Cock' motif.

The beers were still flowing nicely and befor long the Christmas Pud/ Spotted Dick was served and on a night like that one they were most welcome. More beers followed, a few toasts were maid and generally those of us cycling were getting a little worse for were.

By about 11 it was time to leave, there were a few smug looks on the faces of those who were driving and getting back into the comfort of their cars whilst the rest of us hung around outside shivering waiting for everyone to get ready. At this point I headed off by Bike on my own as I had no need to go back to Westcott which would have doubled the length of my journey home. So off I went via tarmac down to Forest Green, accross to Ockley and finally back to Capel for about midnight.

The rest of the guys (and girl, Wendy) headed back towards Westcott, sounds like it was fun with plenty of spills along the way, I am told Charlie in particular seemed to have drunk rather to much and very unusally was lagging at the back wobbleing all over the place and taking regular tumbles. Thankfully everybody got home fine and another great night was had by all.