Tony and I were well fired up for this rally, looking forward to seeing mates and riding out together as the Chief had not been used much last year. We arrived at the site by mid day Friday and there was plenty of sun, Fred and Penny already in situ and some of the gang putting up tents and getting set up for a weekend of fun and frolics.
Putting up the club gazebo proved to be a challenge as the instructions were mislaid, so thanks to Chris and everyone else who persevered with it. To get over the excitement we had to crack open the beers early so no riding for us that day. Sybil prepared the evening meal and then we all had a good yarn around the fire.

It was a very cold night but the sun was up for Saturday. Aran arrived on his Drifter 1500 just in time for breakfast and the ride out. After the briefing Nobby was the lucky recipient of the Wankers Trophy for being captured on video at the Scottish Rally trying to start his bike, again, again and again.
The camp site reverberated to the sound of the bikes firing up and off we set into the New Forest to frighten the ponies. Only joking-they are used to all forms of traffic, even noisy Indians. First stop was a tea shop and ice cream parlour-you know the usual bikers fayre. Then we rode on to Sammy Miller's museum where we were given a great reception and the film The Fastest Indian was playing on the TV. Tony and I had always wanted to go there and it is certainly worth the visit-a great collection of bikes.

Reluctantly it was time to leave and we rode on to Muddeford Quay. It was busy there, kids crabbing and people generally enjoying the lovely weather. It was a short ride back to camp from there. Sybil had arranged a bbq and Ozzie and Lorna run the raffle. Tony was surprised and delighted to receive a trophy for completing a ride out without breaking down. The entertainment around the fire later was hilarious, so much so that Tony wet himself (dropped his beer in his lap that is) and I had face ache from laughing so much. Sunday morning it was time to pack up, why does the time go so fast at weekends?
So thanks to Tim and Ron for the organising, for the ride out and arranging the ponies!! Thanks to the back-up team. As always to Mike and Sybil for all their hard work so that we can all have such a good time.
FIRST CLASS RALLY, FIRST CLASS BIKES, FIRST CLASS MATES.

Oh, and we know who ran over the brazier – but we don't tell tales!!!!!

Linda Jeffery