'Amazing Grace'
 
So with the XV fresh from the local Yamaha dealer and my pocket a little lighter it was time to head off to The Shire Horse Centre to meet the comrades for another VSOC rally.  Whilst we waited for everyone to arrive, Paul and I noticed an aerobatic pilot from White Waltham had decided to catch the morning thermals!!!  Personally I thought Otto, ladened with Black Pig, had taken up aerobatics instead of biking!!
 
As the clock ticked by, we all looked around and realised Nick was missing.  A couple of us wondered why he was late particularly as he was so keen to go to Essex.  Well, I rang him to try and find out where he might be...  He answered with a tone of voice that suggested he may have just gone 12 rounds with Mike Tyson.  I could make no sense of his mumbling and proceeded to pass the phone over to Roger.  Roger, fluent in mumbo jumbo, translated Nick's words into... 'I'm still in bed'.
We'll be in the bar Nick...!!  We leapt on our bikes and sped off to South Mimms.
 
The weather was idyllic.
On the way, at the Cressex roundabout, I glanced to my right and spotted Brian, Baz and Tosh's good lady (name escapes me) minutes in front of us.  We joined the M40 and our pistons pounded towards the M25 and ultimately South Mimms while Nick ate his Shredded Wheat still in his Jim Jams!!!
 
We met others and freshened up at South Mimms.  With the stance of a bird of pray, Baz pointed east and hailed 'we have a rally to go to'  We fired up and it was Wickford on the horizon.  Nick was probably brushing his gnashers at this time, still in his Jim Jams!!
 
At the rally site we were bewildered by the fact that we had to 'hand ball' all our gear from the bike park to the camp site.  We crammed into the 'Vulture aviary' and soon the kettles whistled in tune with the wind!!  John and Arl rolled up at a similar time to Nick (They had to work that day Nick!!)
 
Friday night at the bar...Brilliant...!!  Everyone catching up with everyone including Nick!!  Lets just say that Keith's sister in law met OTTO!!  Later on that night, I thought I might beat Otto at an arm wrestle... WRONG!!  Next time I ask Otto for an arm wrestle I'll wait until he's Brian's age!!!!!!!
I met up with Black Pig at some point and it was my turn to go 12 rounds with Mike Tyson!!  Saturday morning was by far the worst I have ever felt!!!!  Nick. I take it all back!!!!  I was gutted to have missed the Wedding (congrats to the couple) and ride out with the Vultures.  Barry, I'm never going to drink again, I promise.
 
While I tried to undo the vice around my head, Keith rang me to say how much fun everyone was havin!!!.  Sorry Keith, don't take it personally mate but talking to you made me 'have a chat to God on the great white telephone!!!!!'  I went to Eastern Cruisers with Tosh and co when I felt better, If I was a rich man....!!!!
 
Saturday pm I bought myself a shiny new belt buckle from one of the trade stands.  I went for a pee at some point and yes, my new shiny belt buckle fell off.  Straight into the Portaloo bog!!!
How unlucky can you get??!!!
 
Roger's brother (I'm terrible with names!!) was the only one of us to don a white coat.  What a scream it was to see people dressed up!!  A real fun atmosphere.  The live music was fantastic.  Julie was the Star of the Virago Star owners club.  If I was Badger, Julie would have black pig on a drip!!!  Thank you to Centre 19 for a great weekend.
 
Some rain and traffic on the way home.  Next time, I think Keith and Sandra are looking to buy a stretched Hummer for all their gear!!!!!
 
I was in Liverpool recently.  The Liverpool John Lennon Airport has the slogan 'Above us only sky' from the legendary song 'Imagine'. Our club slogan should be....I hope some day you will join us.... from the same song, as if you didn't know!!!
Bring on Kent
Thanks again to the Essex lot
 
Luv Ya
Dan 
 

 

Off again, another rally, this time to Centre 19 in Essex, 1st meeting place was The Shire Horse on the A4 near Maidenhead. Dan was 1st to arrive followed by Keith and myself, then Paul, Chris, Roger, Ed & Sue. We had to be at South Mimms Service Station for 11am to meet the others, so departure from the Shire Horse was to be 10am latest. But Nick had not arrived! A quick call revealed Nick was still in bed, he would meet us down there. Arriving at South Mimms for a much needed cuppa we met up with Baz, Bob, Julie, Jan (Pete already on site with tent), Brian, Mike (Roger's Brother) then it was off to Wickford. When we arrived, we had to ride through a tent (this throws some people as it doesn't seem right) collected your goody bag etc and a welcome drink of vodka with golden syrup which was extremely good. Pete had marked out a section for us (thank you) and we duly filled it. Fred had come over from Holland with some 20 others, so he joined us as well and later in the day Nick , John & Arlene, Di with sister Wendy & Keith arrived and last but not least Ian with his daughter Sophie. The rest of Friday consisted of sitting in the sun, eating, drinking and listening to the band and disco.

Saturday started wet, but who cared we were going to a wedding! Tony & Helen had asked for as many bikers as possible to attend their wedding, so we did We set off for Chelmsford, approximately 100 bikes (awesome sight) Tony with his bike decorated with bows and streamers. We arrived at a Carvery and parked up and then Helen arrived looking fantastic in a black full length dress with a black & cream bouquet. Some of Centre 12 went to the ceremony and when the bride & groom appeared they had to walk under an arch of crash helmets.... should be loads of photos about. After a miserable start to the day, the sun was now shining so Roger's brother Mike, who lives nearby, said that a good ride out would be to Burnham on Crouch, so off we went and it was.

They had a beer festival on, so we went for a cuppa tea and after a walk along the estuary it was time to head back. The food at the rally was very good so we all had dinner and waited for the night to unfold. The band was called Three Miles High and they were great. It was also theme night, so the other entertainment was the Doctors & Nurses, say no more. Mike had never been to a rally before and really enjoyed himself. He was also very lucky and managed to win a top prize in the raffle, a leather jacket.

We all knew that Sunday's weather was going to be horrible with forecasts of heavy rain and strong winds, so with this in mind most of us were up early, had breakfast and bikes loaded before 9.30am. We said our goodbyes and headed for home. The wind was very strong and you could feel the bike being pushed about, then just before South Mimms down came the rain. The M25 was extremely busy around the M1/A1 junction the Welsh group were stuck in traffic. After that it was clear ride all the way home.

We had a great time and are looking forward to the next one.

Sandra & Keith