Had a good weekend popping my meeting cherry too. Spent much of the three days indoors listening to various presentations, my personal favourite being Paddy Tyson. A funny man - can't wait to read the book.

Thanks to all those I chatted to, especially Metal Mule who seemed a little sad to see one of his babies in such a state when I took my battered (but still working) case for him to see - I've now adjusted / repaired them as advised!

Sue and Grant continue to inspire, and the biker doctor was great.

Good luck to the CB500 guys and their cage panniers!

do I begin.Having booked last year and feeling wacked from having been to the TT ( I know, I know, hardly around the world is it, just put it down to an age thing ) and so did not go I was determined to get there this year.And so friday morning up early bike packed literally about to set off and the phone rings. Unbelievably one of my mates needed to speak to me about a relationship problem he had with his partner of 35 years and asked whether he caould pop around. Well what are you going to say !.So he comes around and we chat for a couple of hours and because him and his partner were going off to Devon for a week and she did now want to go I volunteer for us to have a boys week end instead in Devon.He of cause knew nothing about this trip but I just saw it giving him an opportunity to ease his pain over the week end. Well thankfully he left me feeling a bit happier and about an hour later I received a phone call thanking me for my help and also telling me that they were off to Devon and would talk through their problems. So with a big sigh I put the phone down and having thought I would not make it again I set off for Ripley.

M1 the quickest route was diabolical but after a little detour and a stop to ask directions I arrived.

My first impression was good because those on reception were both informative and friendly and I found my spot and set up my tent.

What a disaster that was because the elastics that hold the frame together were broken and I would get one side up and the other side would crumble. Thankfully a couple of fellas passing by gave me some assistance and although not very elegant I had shelter for the night.Some other lads having a drink and a laugh who I met just before I come away said they did not like to offer to help because they thought I might think they were taking the mickey so it seems at least I gave them a laugh.

I made friends with a really nicely spoken fella Tim in the tent next to me and during the week end it was great to have a bit of banter with him.If you met Tim like me you would have assumed he was part of the aristocracy because of the way he speaks but what a great down to earth guy and his life experiences were not of someone born to a priviliged back ground. Great bloke. I could go on and on and on about there presentations but all I will say is that everyone I went to were interesting and inspirational.The most hiarious for me was of cause Austin and Lois last one.What a great couple and I am really looking forward to reading both of their books.

Being a chatty fella I was really at the right place for once because everyone I met were only too willing to stand and chat.I hope the couple that I met that own a gardening company achieve all that they want to when it comes to travelling because they were a great couple to meet.I could mention many other peole but I won't but all I will say is that I hope we all meet up again next year.

To sum up it was a brilliant week end and it did not matter whether you was riding a GS or a Blackbird because just being a biker was enough.

I finally just want to say thank you to Grant and Susan and all of the helpers for giving me a great week end for a more than reasonable cost.
Will I be there next year you bet I will but I would also like to travel to one of their other meets in another country some time as well.

Oh yes and can someone tell me the name of the lady that was from Tasmania and who is travelling around the world because I would like to read her blog and I have lost the card that she gave to me.

See you all next year and I am already counting the days till the next one.

Hi there - her name is Margaret. We met her in Australia when attending the Aussie version of Horizon Meeting in 2009 when we were on walkabout ourselves. You can find her at Riding to Extremes

You can also see pictures of the Aussie (much smaller!) meeting by following the link below.

Australia

Best wishes to everyone who turned up!

Cheers

bernard and cathy (one white F800GS and one long white cane)

a blind woman, two wheels and 25,000 miles

__________________
Touching the World: A Blind Woman, Two Wheels and 25,000 Miles

Thank you to everyone who donated to Grant and Susan's weekend break present and sorry that I didn't manage to get to everyone. Both were very happy to be so thanked themselves and admitted to having had a hectic schedule for last few years, so Sam Manicom's idea of a bed and breakfast break is just right. The dates will be agreed later but wait....11 years around the world and they've yet to visit Scotland. I don't know what that shows but I'm eager to hear how they like it. The dreaded Highland Midges will be sharpening their teeth in anticipation.
I'm am very glad I decided to visit Ripley. Wow, what HU can offer in so many ways, not to mention the crew at the Lumb Farm. Now to treat the sun burn. Still smarting from losing the Most Unsuitable Bike prize....to a Panther. The best bike won. Ciao, Lindsay.

think i met you bernard, did you ask me to take a picture of you with ted on his bike, with your camara and then i asked you the same, if so hope your picture was ok.

denny.

What a fantastic weekend, thanks to all involved and the Lumb Farm staff for making my stay such great fun and value for money.
Great to meet some of my heroes and finally get the chance to shake hands with Mr Simon.
My partner was concerned about the oil on my white top, not actually told her it was a rum and coke mishap.
see you all next year if not before. Cheers Jim

for the info bernard I did spot you and Cathy walking around and I would like to have said to you that it was great to see Cathy enjoying the presentations but I thought you might think it was patronising. Schucks I hope it does not read like that now. Hope to meet you both next year

The 10th Anniversary HU UK 2010 Travellers Meeting had a record turnout, but a lot of tweaks to the setup, including a huge marquee, meant that it all went smoothly and never felt crowded. Over 80 presentations were given over the 4 days - the biggest problem was figuring out your schedule with three rooms going from 10am to 11pm, plus the marquee!

A huge thanks to all the presenters for their efforts - I heard nothing but great reviews on all the presentations. To the 81 volunteers who took on a huge range of tasks, including greeting everyone at the gate, registration desk, peeling potatoes and washing dishes at Danny's Road Kill Cookout, charity raffle collection, keeping the presentations tech stuff running smoothly, helping with setup, picking up the trash and recycling all that was possible, and much much more - we couldn't have done it without you - thanks VERY much - especially those who had never been to an HU Meeting before and had no idea what they were getting into!

And to all those who came, thanks - we hope you enjoyed it, and feel free to send us any comments via the Feedback form, http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/feedback

We'll also be sending out an email, you can reply to that with your comments - we're always trying to improve, and we appreciate your help.

Send me your photos or better post them on this thread!

See you all next year!
OR at one of the other HU Meetings around the world.

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Hi folks - thanks for your thoughts. Is no problem and it is often true that being blind people are a little unsure of the lay of the land! No worries - as our Australian cousins are fond of saying. It was good to wander around and have bernard buy every book in sight, along with a picture of The Ted (as he has called him for time ever after).

Was a good break and loved listening to people talking about their trips - it stirred a lot of memories..............

Thanks again and you never know, we may well meet up in the future.

Best wishes

Cathy and Bernard

A Blind Woman, Two Wheels and 25,000 Miles

__________________
Touching the World: A Blind Woman, Two Wheels and 25,000 Miles

Thanks for those in the registration tent for making me feel welcome at my 1st HUBB meeting & anyone else I met over the weekend. I was inspired and in awe of the presenters and it was amazing to meet some like-minded people rather than being odd one out!

__________________
Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way

I can only echo the words of others in expressing my thanks for such a fantastic meeting

__________________
I accept no responsibility for swearing, drinking, motorcycle riding or your pregnant teenage daughter.

I won't go on about how amazing an event it was (I think anyone that wasn't there wll have got the point - but it was amazing).

if anyone is interested I've posted some pics here >

Horizons Unlimited Ripley 2010 - Windows Live

(easier than taking up Grants server space

What a brilliant weekend - I'm still brimming with amazement, enthusiasm and inspiration from my first ever HU Meeting!

Thanks to everybody involved in the planning, organisation and running of this fantastic event – the presenters, the volunteers, the technicians and the wonderful people at Lumb Farm.

Special thanks go to -

* Berin and Dr JM who made my attendance possible in the first place; after breaking my foot I thought I had to cancel but Berin offered me his pillion seat and Dr JM later sacrificied her bike ride and took me up to Ripley in a more sensible vehicle.

* Susan Johnson and Glynn Roberts for reserving a ‘disabled spot’ for me.

* Danny’s Roadkill Cookout Crew for feeding me nettle soup and wild trout when the kitchen ran out of supplies on Saturday night.

* Everyone who made this weekend so special by just being friendly and helpful and making my hopping around on crutches as easy as possible – thank you all.




As some numpty had forgotten to check her camera batteries, I only have some photos from Sunday morning -

Breakfast with (left to right) Tom & Linda - RTW travellers in the making - and Berin & Dr JM


Colin and Dee Masters - Long distance travellers and Preparation & Planning experts


The boys at James Cargo who will ship my DRZ to South America in August


Wendy Peters (centre), expert in Travel Medicine and a G.P. everyone would love to take on their trip


Julia Sanders from Globebusters


"Team Tourances" on their way to the beach - erm, Rsstler and Aidjay going to their Yoga class...


RTW 10 Years After - Chris Bright and his better half


Rosa making sure the campsite was tidy and everything got recycled properly


The Serow Posse (left to right) - Helen, Stella, Bruce, Debseed, Doc & Reggie


... and from the other side - with Stella & Bruce


Soon Pyrenees explorers to be Helen and Simon


Dr JM & Berin - How much gear can you fit on a 1200 ADV?


Talking of luggage - Alison from Winding Roads


... and that's how the Expedition range looks in the flesh


Riti's better half with her chauffeur


Simon Roberts of "Tea with Bin Laden's Brother" fame


Thanks, Susan, for still having the energy to pose for yet another photo...


Simon and Judge - if I buy your book would you be interested in some Ultimate Ear plugs?


Iain Harper - who taught us everything we ever wanted to know and more about travel blogs


From Diving to Motorcycle Travelling - Dr JM & Fred


Looks like we had some fun - yours truly, Tiff, Tobi & Dr JM


Thank you all for your company, the inspiring talks and for sharing your invaluable knowledge!

See you next year - or on the road -

Ela

__________________
www.pumpernickelontour.com - Four months through South America on a DRZ

Hi Pumpy,

Team Serow sure enjoyed themselves this year, with good food from the Cobb Cooker



and from the constantly running frying pan



So much so that Doc's shorts gave up the battle!



My own machine (Team Cabra) handled the load well



yet took a rest to help with the 'pick up a bike' lessons



And many people were impressed with the stuff we carried on the Serows!



Many innocent passers by were dragged into the celebrations





After all, 7 Serow's really is a flock



Some people happily tried out Team Cabra's riding position, including Pumpy on crutches!



And Jane



And who was the 13th lady to take a seat on my little Brazlian? Well it had to be Lois!



She rode off on the bike, only for Team Cabra to return with Austin in control.



Thanks to all concerned, it was an amazing event.

Regards

Reggie

thanks to all the people posting photo's, it was my first meet and as already said by others it was great "and then some". pumpy, i also met tom and linda and i think your right on rtw, i also met rsstler and aidjay at barbie pit they are funny guys ( sorry i thought you guys were austrailian ) i met them later at dannys road kill cook out ( danny and team and kids well done it was terriffic ). could go on forever about people i met, i am hooked for life on meets and am trying to get to italian lakes meet ( money and time ). hope to meet you all again soon.

denny