The conversation regarding parking charges should we want to meet up top any time soon. @AndyBoxHillNT Andy, with Rykas closed for the foreseeable future, how about some temporary concessions for thirsty bikers at the top cafe? @Torquepen Errr, you're welcome to use the NT facilities. Loads of good drinks & snacks. What more would you like? @AndyBoxHillNT O.K. Thanks. What's the policy regarding motorcycle parking? Are there any charges? @Torquepen Our parking charges are for cars, so you guys are fine. Come up & try our new cafe & see what else takes your fancy. Great cake! @AndyBoxHill That's cool Andy. I'll spread the word. The parking charges were the only thing we weren't sure on. Off to Newlands just now.
Its a pain getting to the top thougn all those speed bumps I am going to try and get out tomorrow at some point
Chris & myself stopped off at Rykas on the return leg where we spoke with the owner Karen. She told us that on the day of the flood her daughter had managed to get through but had been unable to stop water ingress under the kitchen area. The fire brigade had helped her out and the Police had cordoned off the area to stop the very many people who had come along to view the flooded river. Apparently there were quite a few 'dodgy' looking types in amongst the crowd too - more so than usual. The staff floor area of Rykas has been built higher (to stop people jumping the counter) but the downside is that the water would have got in and so it's likely the whole lot may have to come up prior to it re-opening. They'd just managed to get the electricity & gas back on when we arrived, late Saturday, to aid drying out but they speculate that they will be closed for a couple of months. Luckily they paid extra on the insurance and have their own loss adjuster working for them so he's been bashing the phones hard the last few days. It's possible the insurance people won't allow a temporary catering van either. Bikers were streaming in all day long, as usual, but this time through the gap to the right of the top gate. Those trying to gain entrance from the bottom slip road were being waved round by those already in the carpark. That's the latest I have on the situation at Rykas.
The roads aroud here are icy this morning.A big clue is that the Redwings have arrived in the garden and they are feasting on Cotoneaster and Holly berries.It seems to be a race between them and the wood pidgeons.
Roads closed around my house (no access to Selsey) - ice, they are not gritting anything except major routes......
Maybe out for a coffee up at new lands . Roads are icy so will check first as I am in Guildford now with kids
Newlands and then onto Devil's Punchbowl Cafe via A3 but roads still icy particularly Guildford bypass/anywhere in the shade. Dropped in at Newlands on way back and saw a white Multi 1200 but no-one I knew.
Wet! http://www.keysmotorcycles.co.uk were very accommodating & on hearing about Rykas saying anyone was welcome to park on their front & use the café round the back of their shop. Another possible runout destination?!
Back from Devon now and hoping to come out to play tomorrow. Had a look at the weather forecast and it looks like more flooding. 30 - 40mm of rain coming
