On Wednesday night as members were using Facebook to encourage an early turnout at the Miners Standard, the weatherman showed that the weekend temperatures would be in single figures and some white stuff might be around. But that doesn’t put Mayflower off and the early pioneers were there on Thursday to plant the Mayflower Flag (if we had one), more arrived on Friday and Sue and I on Saturday

. The ride down on the Pan was easy (south on M55/M6 to junction 19, Knutsford, Macclesfield, Buxton and then a lop down the A515 should only take 2 hours or so. And it did, but as we got onto the Cat and Fiddle Pass, the temperature dropped to below freezing and the sleet came in at 45%. Must fit heated grips!

Never mind, a blazing fire was on in the pub when we arrived and a few day visitors having lunch to chat to. Most of the club had gone travelling, either to Buxton, Crich Tram Museum or Matlock itself. The energetic were out walking over the Peaks to find more pubs.
There are only 2 pubs remaining in Winster (there were 8 when the mines were being worked), and the Miners Standard is the only one that stays open all day, so was well supported by locals and walkers. There are a number of caravans and Motorhomes on the site and many were being used for the weekend as well, so the pub was very busy. But we all got served and fed, and conversations were either about new bikes (at least 2 were on site), new cars (a bright red Jag was in the carpark), or 2019 holiday plans. Rob Hunter celebrated his birthday on Sunday with a lie in, but was rudely awakened by the Mayflower Chorus trying to sing Happy Birthday to him, whilst shaking the frost off of his tent.
It was good to see Geoff there after his hip operation and he was grateful for the birthday beers and whiskies that had been promised the week before. The power of Facebook again.
After a good breakfast, we rode home in beautiful sunshine; although there was plenty of white stuff on the road (rock salt), so I had a good hours cleaning to do before I could settle down to watch WSB. A great weekend, very well attended again.