Thursday 17 April 2025
Evening meeting
Apologies - David K, Hilary, Jean, Paul, Marian, Pippa, Sue, Trevor.
Guests - Darren Baker, Darren’s dad, sister and brother-in-law, Kevin
Fielding, Ronan Lennon, Gill Sissons, Sharon Brown, Neil Robertson,
Robert Stephens, Pat Brealy, Mary Robinson, Robert MacFarlane, Ron
Benning.
Ian welcomed everyone to tonight’s meeting. Good wishes were given
to Ian for his birthday on 21st.
Members were asked to note that Marian is quite unwell in hospital
having apparently suffered a stroke.
Fundraising
A great night was had by all at the Quiz night last Saturday. Over £1200
was raised. Congrats to Pat’s team for coming last (they’ll do anything
for a prize)! Thanks were given to Ron for his two donations of 5 hours
of garden labour
AOB- Gardening session to be held at the Whitstable and Tankerton
hospital on May 3rd.- Neil is doing the final part of his training as a cathedral guide with a
friends and family tour. Those joining him please meet in the
Buttermarket at 2.15 for a 2.30 start. Tea and cake has been offered
after the event by Lesley.
Master at Arms- Wearing checks and stripes, Hawaii, tardy responses to telephone
calls.- International haiku day:
Rolling down the dusty highway
From Chicago to Santa Monica
Oh, the adventures we’ll have
1
Cadillac Ranch to Bedrock City
Shoe trees, tepees, and the Muffler Man
All a sight to see
It is also National Ford Mustang day - the first one driving out of the
factory in 1964.
Route 66
Darren enthralled us with his virtual Route 66 walk, this grew from a
seed planted in the Covid lockdown. He covered the 2280.3 mile journey
walking 6.25 miles a day in under a year on a treadmill, in his shed! For
each day he researched the area he was ‘travelling’ through and wrote a
blog which had a peak following of 4500. He often received invites from
US followers to pop in for refreshments! Many sent his memorabilia from
the route which he has displayed in his shed.
Being virtual Darren experienced no queues, no baggage restrictions, no
security checks, enjoyed an upgrade to business class and didn’t suffer
turbulence. Ending the trip with a virtual slap up meal in Santa Monica.
He travelled through Missouri, Kansas (all 13.2 miles of Route 66),
Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California telling us of
places of interest, characters, and events on the way.
In 2023 he took time out, travelling with his dad to drive the route, he
met some of the characters he’d written about and people who had
followed him on his virtual journey.
His blog spans 2 tomes and he is working on a more concise edition that
is more affordable and accessible in time for the Route 66 centenary.
Questions were asked and Ian thanked him for the tale of his enjoyable
journey.
Final toast given by Andrew.
Next meeting 24/4/25 7.30 for 8am