Rock around The Cock 1

Dateline Friday night

Tents up snugly (lots of tents on small field makes for a good way to get to know your neighbour) a few glasses of cider provided by Paul and then it was off to the bar.

So there were the usual Rejects party crew milling around the bar of the Cock. It was then a small anonymous voice asked the as yet unuttered question “where is our illustrious leader, for we are all thirsty and he always honours us (as all good centre reps do) with the first round?” “I think he’s coming tomorrow” was a quiet reply. Panic ensued as everyone tried hard to avoid buying the first round. Nick bravely stepped into the breach.

Eventually ale was found and all were happy. This do is almost home ground for us and so oodles of friends new and old mingled around happily. In Dave and Ming’s case very happily as they hit the strong cider.

Friday night and the Cock was rocking, to the sounds of bald Eagles Disco and a rather good chicken curry.  The Cock public house being a very biker friendly pub tucked away amongst the vineyards and hop fields of Kent.

It was a superb night with splendid weather (which we were to have all weekend) and this bought people from near and far, even as far as Scotland for which the rider won a prize for. After the bar and disco ended a barrel of ale was left out on the field for those still thirsty and boy was it good, the burger van also did a roaring trade. Dave and Ming staggered back to tents and so the rest of us were serenaded to sleep by the Welsh in the way they do.

Saturday.

And there were more than a few thick heads around, though surely this is the sign of a good night. The burger van was doing a good line in breakfast and already the t shirt stall and tattoist were busy plying their wares.

Then with a crackle and a pop arrived our revered centre rep, and all was revealed why his bike is now all bright and shiny, as he bought his  friend Jackie with him. He was seriously reprimanded for the previous nights mistake.

There was a planned ride out to Margate but as Dave and Ming (and me if truth were told) were still nursing heads we decided to leave it until a bit later. The rest of the Rejects went though and I was told it was a good run. A little while later found 10 of us on 9 bikes setting off to Whitstable, Bob leading the way,  we discovered however the joys of Rochester’s traffic light forest, just how many do they need. Every 4 feet seems to be the answer.

On reaching Whitstable, which was having its oyster festival though I did not partake,  we headed off for a little light luncheon and a mosey round.  And what a lovely little place it is.  I did resist a large inflatable Winnie the Pooh as well. It was then down to the beach for and ice-cream and a few fool hardy types braved paddling while being used as target practice.

Paul then led back by the motorway until Moley showed us the way to a leisure centre where all the others went swimming, I bravely guarded coats and drank coffee.

A short run back to the site and we were greeted by the sight of the hog roast almost ready. And very tasty it was too. There seemed to be more people on site then the night before, and a lot of very different faces around which was nice.

And so to the evenings entertainment…

 a compare by the name of Jet Black was introduced, only to find he was a Drag queen, the reaction to this was mixed  but we know Dave “bra boy” was very interested in the dress.  Now to the group, well if I tell you at the end of their set they had several extra bookings I think you get the feeling of how good they were. The music was great and very varied but all in a tight Rock style, they seemed to cover most tastes and even a few slow ones for Anne to drag Nick up too. I was even seen on the dance floor again a habit which is beginning to worry me. The group “Dave Harley and X Certificate” played on even covering punk and lam rock .and they were great. A raffle was held in the intermission and “Bra Boy” took first prize of some axle stands. Maybe they will come in useful when Badger drills his pipes.

We all went back to the field happy at the end of the evening and once again a barrel of beer was laid on for those with a thirst and to keep the welsh choirs tonsils lubricated. I slept soundly again and arose to a glorious summers morning.

With relatives arriving I left very early leaving a few of the rejects sleeping soundly in their beds.

A cracking weekend and our thanks must go to Sid and all of Centre 15 for hosting an excellent party. What a great way to spend a summer weekend.