Cambridge Bikers Christmas Toy Run 2013

It had been planned for sometime, and of course it was all fingers crossed but to wake to wind beating the rain hard against the window gave us that sinking feeling. All we hoped was that the weather would improve - as forecast, as we were about to take part in the first revival run of the Cambridge Bikers Christmas Toy run to Addenbrookes hospital and the complication of rain might just make less-hardy bikers think twice about taking part.

As we left home, the rain was still falling heavily, our red Father Christmas over-bike-coats were soaking it up like a sponge - what ever were we doing? We pressed on and as we drew nearer to Cambridge the sky began to lift, and so did our spirits - it would be so worthwhile. Bringing joy to those children who unfortunately would have to spend Christmas in hospital.

We needn't have worried as shortly after we arrived at the meeting point at Anglesey Abbey, the cavalcade of hi-vis police motorcycles arrived, making the whole event start to feel more 'happening'. From then on, hardly a moment went by without another set of wheels arriving and parking up in neat rows. One particular arrival was very welcome too - the sun at last!

Bikes arrived bedecked in all things Christmassey, both on the front...

...and on the back.

Allegiance with machines was no barrier to joining in this event, anything from cruisers...

...to scooters.

Santas arrived in anything from full-length cloaks to onesies.

Head gear also amazed with its variety...

...although one candidate for the best 'bah-humbug' costume clearly looked too happy and so the prize went to...

(...check further down and you will find out!)

The day was all about having a good time and spreading some  joy for Christmas...

...even if the often perceived macho view of bikers was shattered by having Barbie as a pillion!

Just time for a 'groupie' (and I resisted the temptation to photo-bomb)...

...before the briefing and preparing for the off.

............................................................

The plan was to ride in convoy from Anglesey Abbey to Addenrookes.
The well natured ride out got off to Santa-stic start!

Out onto the open roads, the convoy of around 150 motorbikes...

stretched forwards...

...and backwards as far as the eye could see.

The police riders cleared a route through the traffic, the occupants of stationary cars smiled, tooted and waved, as did many by-standers. There was a great sense of camaraderie and feel-good as we all pressed on towards Cambridge....

..and then finally Addenrookes Hospital.

Just time to catch one for the record and say a huge thank you to the police riders, many of them giving up their spare time to accompany the Christmas Toy Run.

A mass hospital admission of santas...

...and an Elvis (who hadn't left the building as he had won the best 'bah-humbug' prize)

However, 'bah-humbug' was not in evidence judging by the generosity of all the riders.

And finally, to round off, a few Christmas ditties to get everyone into the mood.

Once again, the biking community had pulled out all the stops - an amazing crowd. So glad to have been part of it.

So it remains to thank the organisers and everyone who turned up to make it what it was but most important,
wish all those children a very Happy Christmas and a hope for a return to health in the New Year.



Please note, all images are © Ailec Photography - copies are available by request

As a Beaded Necklace

After my garden visit yesterday, I thought I might post another photograph taken then.

It wasn't just the snowdrops in the woodland that were stunning, the winter garden had its gems too. Forgive me for not knowing the name of this bush (I'm sure someone will tell me) but it had the most beautiful clusters of pendant flowers of around twelve inches long. They were as if a beaded necklace had been hung on the bush.

Drops of Delight

We are finally pulling away from the dreary January of 2011 but even the snowdrops have had a struggle to blossom-forth this year. Apparently it was the cold December and the subsequent frosts that have delayed the annual snowdrop season at Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire, until now.

With over two-hundred different varieties there, they really can give a spectacular show, and when the weather is sunny, as it was yesterday, there isn't a parking space to be found. So that is why we (unsensibly) visited today, when it was colder, overcast and threatening showers. By getting there early, we also hoped to miss the crowds, which thankfully, we did as on our departure the carpark was just filling. (First redeeming factor for the choice of day) Later, on the drive home, the windscreen wipers came into operation (Second redeeming factor). So, all things considered, it wasn't so bad!

The snowdrop display truly was worth the visit, despite the weather, and with a Winter Garden full of stunning bark colour, we were still able to pass a delightful few hours. For photographic purposes though, the weather conditions today were less than ideal. The stiff breeze made the dainty tutu-like flower heads dance faster than Darcy Bussell in a pirouette. The lack of sunshine was as if someone had forgotten to add the lime to the oxygen and hydrogen mix for this outdoor stage, and then...

A drop of sunshine fell onto these pretty flowers giving us a momentary drop of delight.