This weekend I attended my very first Wingding – one of the principal activities of the GWOCGB. This one was organised by the Thames Valley Region and I enjoyed it a lot – learnt a lot too. Especially welcome was the change in the weather – at last we had some sunshine!

Some things – the folk are uniformly friendly, welcoming and helpful. I need a bigger tent and other stuff – did someone say “trailer”? Well yes they did but here is the important stuff:-

1. After a gentle initiation, including the DIY Happy Hour, the helpful Wing community will help you spend money faster than you dreamed possible, it”s therefore advisable to put a cable tie on your wallet.
2. The tent that looked big in the shop is actually smaller than a trike cover.
3. Even if food is available to buy on site, be prepared to cook your own, otherwise you will be continually embarrassed by the generosity shown to you by people who think you must be starving.
4. The smell of food being cooked if you aren’t cooking yourself is guaranteed to make you desperately hungry.
5. It’s nice to have a barbecue – think trailer..
6. Self inflating sleeping pads are no substitute for a good thick lilo – think trailer..
7. Don’t agree to meeting at the next weekend without checking with the missus.. Contrary to my earlier thinking, I shan’t be at the Whitehorse Winding, we have guests that day apparently..

Man with a trailer

My bike but not my tent and no trailer..

Various vendors are there – you know you need it!

I have more wheels than you..

Bikes in Marlborough

My tent was smaller than the trike cover next door!