Bomber Command/East Kirkby weekend 12/13 May 2018

[timbo]

There appears to be a couple of nice campsites at Kirkby on Bain, which has a very nice pub called the Ebrington Arms. This is near Woodhall Spa.
Or the 13th century, Blue Bell Inn, at Tattershall Thorpe, next to Coningsby, also has nearby camping. Possibly the oldest pub in the county.
Also, the Coach and Horses, at Hemingby has its own camping on site.
And finally, the Durham Ox, at Thimbleby, has a camping field onsite.
I will make a few further enquires, as my prefferred option would be the Blue Bell Inn, but I will phone them to get more info.

[CrazyFrog]

Sounds good Tim. Strangely enough I was in the area last month with the Mrs. It's quite a difficult place to get to without doing loads of boring motorway, though we did find an A road route from the end of the A42 before it joins the M1...

[Smithy]

Sounds too good to miss, so I won't. Anywhere is good for me Tim.

Ian

[timbo]

OK folks, here is an update.
So I have contacted the Coach and Horses at Hemingby in Lincs. This is a CAMRA listed pub in a Wolds village, with camping at £5 per night. There are no showers, but there is access to the toilets and sinks all night, so its cheap and cheerful.
I have a suggestion to make. Why don't we just stay on the Saturday, in other words, meet up at East Kirby on the Saturday morning for the day, and then leave the pub on the Sunday morning for the Bomber Command Ride-in, then home.
my reasons are purely selfish, in that I don't fancy a ride on really busy roads across the midlands on a Friday afternoon, but would prefer to ride over on the Saturday morning.
Cheers, Tim

[Smithy]

That works well for me Tim, I'll be there.

Ian

[CrazyFrog]

Yep sounds like a plan to me too. I may still take half a day on the Friday and go up in the afternoon - after all someone should check that the beer in the pub is OK, shouldn't they? It's a hell of a job, but I'm willing to take one for the team. 

[timbo]

Be careful. that is a dangerous mission for a man on his own! I might have to join you afterall 

[Steve Lake]

It's a Batemans pub, and Batemans (a local family brewery of great vintage) brew some great ales... my favourite being XXXB, and at Christmas their Rosy Nosey.
Being a bit of a lightweight and decrepit old geezer, I'm going to call the pub later today to see if they do B&B, no mention of it on the internet, but worth a try. Also my little 'peapod' tent.... a super small 'bivvy' type, has sadly done it's last trip I think after son in law burned a bloody big hole in it during a windy weekend in Keilder forest. 
so, yes, i'll be joining you on Sat/Sun, but not sure where i'll be staying the night. (if push comes to shove i'll commute, 'tis only 80 miles)
pip pip

[SteveC#222]

I will definitely join you all for the Bomber Command trip on the Sunday. I'm going to try and get for the camping Saturday night but I'm working Saturday until 4pm and technically on alarm call until midnight so I may have to be boringly tee total!

+1 on XXXB! also 'Dark Lord' is a good pint if they have it.....though it looks like I'll have to abstain.

[Oldtimer]

Well folks this maybe a meeting I can get to on my bike [weather permitting] Approx 90+ Miles so not too far for an oldie like myself. I am happy to camp out on the Sat night [wherever] and a few gargles of some fine ale in the evening. Will there be anyone traveling from down south up the A1? Looking forward to meeting a few of you reprobates

[Oldtimer]

Any further progress being made on Saturday meeting/camping venue?

[Oldtimer]

Is this still on? no one wants to reply.

[timbo]

Yes, as per the details in my previous post above, its the Coach and Horses at Hemingby. I will phone the landlady nearer the time to give her an idea of numbers, but she already knows that a few of us will be turning up. Should be a good little meet up, and I am even more pleased its a Batemans pub. Great family brewery, with great beer and great pubs 

[Oldandwornout]

Can't do the Sunday as working but looking at coming up on the Friday and joining you all at East kirby on the Saturday before heading home .
Tim you can always crash at mine Thursday if you don't want to fight the commuter traffic .
Cheers Mark

[Oldtimer]

Yes, as per the details in my previous post above, its the Coach and Horses at Hemingby. I will phone the landlady nearer the time to give her an idea of numbers, but she already knows that a few of us will be turning up. Should be a good little meet up, and I am even more pleased its a Batemans pub. Great family brewery, with great beer and great pubs 

Great, so what is the itinerary. Where are we meeting up on the Saturday and the time? As I am bringing my camping gear with me I much prefer to go straight to the Coach & Horses, then ride to the airfield on the Sunday. All this is weather permitting of course as I don't do camping in the rain or for that matter don't like riding bike much in the rain.