Vigo Rugby Club in north-west Kent had been selected as a different venue for the club’s National rally on 8-10 June 2012.   Amid weeks of continual rain which threatened many outdoor events, suddenly up popped our week-end – a meteorological oasis of pleasant weather,  sure t’was a ‘bit’ windy on Friday but Saturday and Sunday were quite glorious.
Maybe the forecast had deterred some from coming, as numbers were down compared to usual, but there was still a fine and interesting turnout of Chiefs, including Jeff Willingham’s superb 1932 example, Snowy’s latest pride and joy (well, at least it ain’t no Gilroy!!) and a very nice red ‘un belonging to Andy Warner, one of our new members who, incidentally, had just graduated from years of riding various 125’s straight onto our favoured American Iron.  Martin’s gorgeous ‘30s Chief was unfortunately undergoing surgery so he came on his tasty Ironhead Sportster, a real nice machine even though it is from the opposition!  Also on parade were a plethora of Scouts, 741s, Powerplus, Harley 45s, a very unusual VeloIndian, a bevy of Brit hardware and a blue Panhead, that oozed nearly as much character as it did oil!
The venue provided a good club room, bar and kitchen facilities and Friday evening saw all these put to good use.  Sybil and Nobby’s Pat took charge of the catering and served up some tasty chilli/sausages etc. New guy, Andy, dived straight in to do the washing up..So ‘Welcome mate, welcome’ – hope we see you and Andrea at our future rallies.
The remaining hours of the day were spent with everyone sporting their green plastic wristbands and engaging in the usual club socializing and supping rituals. 
Saturday, the sun shining, a full Sybil English breakfast consumed, and about 20 afore mentioned bikes set off on the ride-out to Upnor, an attractive village on the banks of the Medway.  Following ‘clear’ instructions on the 2nd man system from our Chairman before we set off, Cliff led the way on his Powerplus through an easy and pretty green lane route to the waterside pubs for lunch. A quicker but none the less interesting ride back to the site culminated in celebrations that, possibly for the first time, we’d gone there and back without actually loosing anybody!
Roy and Cliff had prepared some games of riding skills including limbo-ing under horizontal poles and slow riding races on grass for the more adept amongst us! Thanks lads!
These activities took us nicely up to teatime when Sybil and Pat again excelled in the kitchen serving up roast chicken and baked veg, with a choice of cakes for dessert.

Washing up chores all done (thanks to Nobby, Andy and ‘The Three Volunteers’) the club house was made ready for the evening entertainment.
Well done to Oz and Lorna who assumed their regular duties as chief Raffle organisers raising over £100 for club funds.
Thanks to Phil Clarke - who, using his alleged close association with Simon Cowell - had arranged for a local rock band – the Loose Cannons to come and play for us.
What a great band (with not a ukulele in sight!).  They kicked off with Spencer Davis’s Gimme Some Lovin’ and as they went on through their repertoire, Jo, Steph, Val, and Sandy (visiting from Australia) lead the dancing.   Fred Woodgates was, shall we say, ‘discreetly ‘strutting about in his new Indian jumper that he had for his Birthday - Ooh yes, we all want one now!  Sweet Home Alabama had more folk up dancing and the band’s finale with House of the Rising Sun had virtually everyone on the floor. ....Yeah, WE don’t mind blokes dancing together, innit!!
All in all, a great night, with the bar taking over £900 – most of it from Bootsie, I understand!
Sunday, wake up to more bright weather, the great Manitou must surely be smiling upon us. Another full English is available in the club house.  For those who want to do more, there is the opportunity to join up with the Vintage Club run to visit the local Wrotham Steam Fair - but for some it is time to start preparing to leave and say their farewells.
As the site empties, I’m reminded of Custer’s immortal words on the morn of the Little Bighorn........
“I don’t know what’s up with them darn Indians – they were all singing and dancing last night!”

Rocket Ron