Saturday 12th July

The day of the annual Pway evening BBQ had dawned with gang members gathering at M&FM amidst a close scrutiny of the weather forecast on the mess TV by the organisers. Rain was forecast for later in the evening at 10pm, but would it arrive earlier?

The decision as to whether to postpone was deferred until lunchtime, and the line inspections were undertaken with Keith B, Tom, and Adrian heading off to Alresford, and John and Pete Alton bound. For the Alresford walkers, the inspection was uneventful until they neared the start of the embankment at mile post 58 1/4 between Ropley and Alresford, where it was discovered that the Bovine Escape Committee had nearly been successful in implementing their cunning plan, with a fairly long section of fence broken down. Fortunately there were no signs of cows on the line, with the Farmer having caught them in the act, and moved them elsewhere..

This of course meant a change to the afternoon's planned task, and the gangs crack (ed) rapid response fence team of John and Tom, joined by Eddie and Martin R, were dispatched on the down train to make repairs. Keith B and Adrian meanwhile having decided to give the green light to the BBQ, set off to Winchester to buy the provisions, returning mid afternoon to strim the grass at the BBQ site at the Arleside hut, and to erect the tables.

The evening event with 10 attendees went as planned in full view of the passing Watercress Belle dining train and Real Ale Train with no sign of precipitation throughout. It is always amusing to see the reaction of the passengers and crews to the sight of orange attired men, sitting around tables with white table cloths and candelabra centre piece, enjoying their five course meal! 

The final touches are made to the fence repairs

The new hut at Alreside is 'christened' with the annual BBQ