Pilgrimage to Parkhead – or poetry in motion.  
September 16/17th 2006

Words by Lindsay Perks, Photos by Doug

Dedicated to Lorraine Turnbull

Lorraine worked at Stanley, but Stanley is no more. We STARs thought this was so unkind, And not at all the future That we had had in mind. But gnashing teeth and shedding tears. Would not change the situation, So we decide to celebrate Past years – at Park Head Station. For that is where Lorraine now thrives, With her husband Terry as mine host. Providing food and B & B To riders on the Coast to Coast   Plans were laid and arrangements made To take a trip out west. It was felt a weekend in September Would probably be best. So early in the morning mist We all made our way, Some of us from eastern points like Shields and Whitley Bay. Doug – our leader – set out first For the Guildhall by the Tyne, Where he met Ken and Phil and Lindsay, Who all departed in a line.  Don and Carol were to join us When their day’s work was done And sure enough we saw them Before the setting of the sun. Doug went first, as is befitting Then Phil, young and sturdy With Ken our latest ranger On his bright orange Birdy. Lindsay, oldest of the group Proceeded in a stately style, Maintaining a link twixt front and rear, By stopping every other mile. At the Skiff Inn, we found no John Which is what we had expected. He had decided to press on To Rowlands Gill, “as directed”. Here also, waited the Sorleys, Or at least, Bob and Joanne. We take some tea, and now, all met Set off as soon as we can. We follow the route of the C2C And the sun now shone as we picked our way Via Hamsterley Mill and Consett Along to the Waskerly Way. The most remarkable event to record Was Bob’s great success In recruiting local lads and lasses To pick litter and clear the mess. The trail wound on, and as evening fell We arrived at Park Head Station, Tired but happy, and ready for a drink Now we had reached our destination. Showered and changed, we gathered round And exchanged the tales that cyclists tell With David Gray who had just dropped in To say hello and wish us well. Then, as if by magic, our hostess appeared But, after mutual and fond embraces, Disappeared again to make herself Even more beautiful, in dress – and other places! About this time, Superman arrived. You will guess I mean David of course Having finished a cross country run Before lunch, he rode here without pause. Joy and Mike were next to arrive – though Only Joy, at first, found a comfortable seat. Followed by Carol and Don who, by chance, Arrived just before we sat down to eat.  We were called to dine, with our food and our wine Prepared and chosen by Terry, And waited on by their two lovely daughters Did n’t they do well?  Yes, very. Farmhouse broth followed by turkey and trimmings, With veggies and proper custard with our puds. Coffee to finish and many refills of wine, One can say they delivered the goods. Doug presented a card to Lorraine from us all And many jokes and tales were told, Most clean, but some not quite so pure, But all enjoyed by all young and old.  We all retired to bed and all slept like tops And feasted at dawn on our breakfast of choice. After a morning photo call a la Hadrian’s launch We said thanks and good luck with one voice. The journey back took us far less time As it was ‘downhill all the way’. Putting Lindsay back together after a fall Was the only cause to delay.  By mid-day we had all reached journey’s end It was time to go our separate ways. We all declared we must do this again Next year? Next month? One of these days