For those who came last year and anyone else for that matter

[Steffan]

No, I won't be cooking - we are putting on a bite for those who come back from the cathedral is all.

Next shed meet will be later in the year.

Steff

[guest7]

What's the form when I get there? Just saunter in and sit down?

Cheers
GC

[002]

Father out of Hosp.. Again !
Hopefully stay out,and I'll be there.

Will they have that large bag of pompadoms and bucket of Ribena same as last year ?

Jethro

[squirrelciv]

Yeh, good point by GC...

Is there a dress code (bearing in mind our chosen form of transport), wouldn't want to let you down on your big day.

[sexually oriented]

Guted i missed this 
sorry Steff,i guess i should read the TC forum more often,well done mate and my apologies

[guest7]

What a nice day that was.

I left home early enough to get to my brother's house for 6.50am, where I picked up his TDM850 (I'm bikeless atm). I set off west on the M4 and made good time, but had to stop after an hour or so to don an extra layer. It was a tad colder and wetter than anticipated. As I was about to set off Jethro rode into the services, also to put on extra clothing. After a chat we set off together for St Davids.

Apart from a small tour of Carmarthen and a downpour at Haverfordwest, the ride was uneventful and we arrived at the cathedral at 9.30. Jethro said that the refectory did food and coffee so that's where we headed. We walked in and the man said "we don't open until 10" We killed some time and then went back. I asked for a breakfast menu and the man said "we don't serve food until 12". Fortunately some cake and coffee did the trick.

By the time we returned Pat and Mark had also turned up. I hadn't known what to expect and I was amazed to see that the ordination ceremony was a full cathedral event, with a massed congregation and countless blokes in frocks  It really brought home what an important event this is for Steffan.

After the floorshow Jethro and I headed off for Steffan's home up the coast in Aberaeron. We stopped enroute in an army surplus store where a bedraggled Pat joined us. We all met again at Steffan's where he and his family had prepared a slap up lunch. Richard showed up and a good time was had by all until I asked, innocently, "what time is it?" When I was told it was 4.30 the tone darkened as I realised that I was hours late for home. 

However, thanks to a good tip on a shortcut and the lusty engine of the TDM I made good time and was back at my brothers by 6.35. Even better, when I got home my wife was pleased to see me. 

A fine day
GC

[Richard]

Nice to see you guys there - and a great thing to be celebrating.  Are we now like the 59 club with Bill Shergold, though tbh the music isn't generally as good.

Thanks to Ruth & Steve for the grub - lovely.

Hope that the bike riding brethren didn't get too wet on the way home.

Graham - don't forget to PM me.

Richard

[Andy M]

Well I think when Steff goes for Bishop they should hold it a bit further north so more of us could get there 

Congratulations

Andy

[guest7]

Well I think when Steff goes for Bishop they should hold it a bit further north...

Aye, to be fair, if you wanted to hold the event in a remote spot (relative to most of the UK) you'd probably choose the far South West of Wales 

Lovely part of the world though and some great biking roads. Although, as Jethro and I discovered, the roads had some numpty drivers on 'em

GC

[squirrelciv]

Yep, a great day all round I'd say. Good ride down with only a few [heavy] showers to blot the trip. Made St Davids in just over an hour and a half with time to get out of the bike clobber and get to the cathedral on time after a later than expected set off.

Don't know what I expected the ceremony to be like, but the event was full of passion and belief. It was clear to everyone, the importance of the undertaking Steffan and his colleagues were making and I was glad to be there and offer what little support I could. Think it's fair to say, Steff and I aren't bosom buddies or that I'm particularly religious, but it is clear Steff has a real calling and that alone is worth my support. Well done to you Steff, knock 'em dead from the pulpit matey.

Certainly was bedraggled when I met Jethro & GC and was glad of a new pair of over-trousers which got a full and proper road test all the way home.

Ruth (Mrs Steff) put on an absolutely fantastic spread which forced you to eat far more than you should (cos you just had to try something else), and no one can refuse a Priest when he gives you a command, especially when it's "Try the lemon pie".

Only blot on a perfect afternoon was the mild beating from Richard's walking stick because I don't fully appreciate the aesthetic qualities of MZ's!

Journey home was wet! Rain followed me all the way, but too be honest, I didn't mind. I was dry inside the clobber and was quite happy to plod along and digest my afternoon tea. Home. A quick nap. Out to a 50th birthday!

What a day.

[002]

I agree with all the above !

Did get a little chilly on the way considering it was pretty warm getting kitted up in Newport.
The Catherderal was full.Bearing in mind Steff not being the only person to be ordained.
But none the less plenty there and I'm glad I was there to swell the numbers for Reverend Stephen Edwards.
Many Thanks to Ruth and The Boys for inviting/putting up with us back at the house.
Fantastic spread....I did manage to try everything at least once !

Good run home via Lampeter,Llandovery,Brecon etc..
Despite being more miles used a Hell a lot less petrol on the way back,including an episode chasing a fella on a Ducati Hypermotard Thingy down passed Llnadovery.
He could not ride at all !  Heavy....I'm Mean HEAVY braking for every corner,fork dive and all sorts.
The frantic looks in his mirrors amused me no end,then the over taking on double white lines approaching a blind bend to catch up with his mates put me off.So I settled down to my gentle 50-65mph and continued home.

A Most Pleasant Day.
Meeting up with good mates.
Seeing Steff in a Frock.
Bit off shopping in surplus shop whilst avoiding heavy showers.
Good food,meeting more mates and talking cobblers.looking at MZs.
And a good ride to and from,despite the weather.

Congrates Steffan !

Jethro

[Mark]

Congratulations Steffan, chuffed for you and chuffed I was there to experience it.

Wow, what a place, the best cathedral in the best city in the world, you couldn't have had a better location your get your full patch.

Regards, Mark

[Steffan]

Never thought of it as a full patch - hmm quite like that - though a bit tricky looking right hard when you're wearing lace - albeit a little tasteful box lace on the cuffs.

I was made up to see you blokes - thank you from my heart - St Davids is a slog from everywhere, so that you came at all was really touching, and I know that Jules and the one of great furriness would have been their had things been different. It was a shame Mark couldn't make the nosh and Pat...I never realised. I will try harder mate.

It was a nice day made great by the arrival of my friends...first class ones!!

Steffan

It was interesting to note that everyone who rode, came on doubled singles.

Shed meet later in the year?

[guest7]

Shed meet is a grand idea. I also like the idea you had of a midweek bikey trip to make up for the fact that your weekends are promised to your congregation and the big bloke.

Thanks again for your hospitality, especially that fantastic sausage roll 

GC

[002]

Thanks again for your hospitality, especially that fantastic sausage roll 

and quiche,smoked salmon,mushroom and ricotta(?)pie,potatoe salad,chicken,bolognese pie,sandwiches,brownies,lemon tart,tea,coffee and whatever I left out....I'm sure I tried a piece of everything at least once..... 

Yes mid-week would be good,advance warning would help so that time can be booked off work or days off swapped.

Jethro