London to Brighton Bike Ride 2006

On Sunday 18th June, Jim & I joined 27,000 other people to cycle the 56 Miles from Clapham Common, London to Marine Parade in Brighton in aid of The British Heart Foundation. We had an early start, 7.30am after staying at Alun and Sarah's flat in Herne Hill - cheers guys.



The atmosphere was fab and there was lots of laughter amoungs all the cyclist. We had our first stop after about 15 miles to fuel up with mars bars, eggy sandwiches and water.

The next stop was just before the dreaded Ditchling Beacon Hill at Wiversfield - we went to Heather's sisters stall run by Wiversfield School PTA, the guides had hijacked the other site - great melon. Then it was all up hill for 1 mile up the very steep Ditchling Beacon Hill.

Yipee both of us cycled all the way and made it to the top dispite the 30oc heat and pouring in sweat, it was then down hill all the way to Brighton.

It was a great feeling cycling with all the others over the finish line and then only having to cycle 1 mile back home.



After a BBQ on the Level (and a few G&T's) we both collapsed in a heap and fell asleep by 6pm.....

Next cider festival please! Ok, how about "Glastonwick 2006"?

Adur's 11 th beer, music, poetry and more beer festival at Shoreham Airport, West Sussex



Lots of ales, not so many ciders, even so we headed straight for these lovely titled barrels!

A great site as you can see right up the Adur valley and lovely panorama views of the south downs. Just wish we got their earlier as we may have seen light aircraft coming in to land. The airport is still used for people lucky enough to travel around the country by plane, imagine that!

They was lots of merriment and good music, if not a little bit political :)

The Gwatkin boys did a lovely job and represented themselves with "Norman" "Kingston Black" and "Yarlington Mill" ciders. Fi liked the Westons perry which is thankfully in some better pubs everyday now.

We got the train there from Brighton and on the way home we got a minibus back to the station. Lots more singing!

We will be back next year!

Welsh Cider Festival 2006

The fifth one in welsh cider history. By far the most extensive one since its beginning.

A range of 66 ciders and 23 perrys on offer all served up by some very friendly volunteers.


The tasting panel from various corners of england were: JP, Ness, Beth, Cath, Jim, Fifi, Angela and Halvin. >> check out the pics on flickr



Favourites were:

Cider
Black Dragon, Toloja Cider, Bragdy Broydyr

Perry
Silver Lady

and the worst once being - Pen Perry by Swan Cider, and Laughing Juice by Three Saints.

Visit welshcider.co.uk for more information, ENJOY!