Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Oh My!! Part 2

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

After the Dorothy Clive Gardens, Andy took us out to his favorite local pub.

 The Robin Hood Pub

 A Free House is a pub that sells beer from many breweries, rather than a single brewery

It was small and cozy inside

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Andy, Wayne and I headed south to the National Motorcycle Museum.  This is a large collection of all British made motorcycles. Although the collection is 1000+ strong, the five halls held about 500 that are ready for viewing. The first hall had one example of each year from 1898 through 2017.  The next 3 halls were examples of all the manufacturers, in alphabetical order.  The last hall was all racing machines.

 He always wants to try them out

 Let's start at the beginning--1898

 This is typical of the year we were born

 Notice anything missing? The motor is in the rear wheel!

 Here the motors are in the front wheel

 Prior to 1914, models designed specifically for ladies were featured by most leading manufactures. The principle difference was the open frame arrangement, similar to a lady's bicycle which allowed the owner to use the machine without having to alter her style of dress.

 This 1953 Matchless Sidecar was considered suitable for Observed Trials, long distance events or simply trail riding for fun.  Yeah, right!!

 This is the 1957 Ariel Trials bike, considered to be an agile thumper.  Contrast that to today's skinny, trim trials bikes!

 This 1957 BSA Clipper was produced for the export market for off-road use

 This 1961 500cc BSA scored countless success in top level motocross racing during the fifties.

 Can you imagine doing a 6-day trials event on this?

 Another champion MX bike of it's day

 Part of the hall of racing machines

 Two stoke Trials machine, 1961

 Andy and Wayne

 Not something we usually find in our local deli, but it certainly reminded me of my childhood.  Mom loved cucumber sandwiches.

It was a great way to spend the day

 The next stop was the village of Market Drayton, near Andy's home.

 Check the date, 1664

 If it looks like the building is leaning, you're right.  Don't know if you can tell, but Wayne is taller that the entry door, even I barely clear the door frame.

 But what do you expect for a building that was built more than 300 years before we were born??

 What do you know, the tower clock still works in this old village church

 View of the cemetery 

 No question about why we are here...

 If Wayne is with us, we must be doing a brew tour

It was a wonderful mix of old and new construction 

From here we headed home, tomorrow is another day with more sites to see!!!