Second Essex Crusade
23rd-25th
July 2004
The start of the school summer holiday
traffic and a clogged M25, did not bode well for a ride to Essex. But with the
sun shinning bright in the sky, and memories of last years chilled out Party I
had a very pleasant journey.
Finding the site easily near Southend
Airport. I was given the warmest of welcomes from Leigh, Mr K and Co and I
headed to the designated snoring area.
It has been told that there were 400
people on the site, but with so much space it never felt crowded. (And they also
had the worlds best Portaloos, always clean and nice).
Tent erected, beer
passed from Dave (cheers) this was going to be good. As is the norm it then took
about an hour before I got anywhere near the outdoor bar (excellent Shepherds
Neame beers, straight from the barrels), and food. It took another 3 hours to
reach the inner bar, that’s the worse things of a VSOC rally, just too many
people to say hi too. (And long may this continue)
Acoustics in the bar were not good, but
the bands were excellent, Friday night was “Beaver” and Saturday “Park
Lane” with a DJ as well people boogied away for many an hour. There was also
even more real ale in the bar. Life really couldn’t get better. The bar staff
must also be congratulated as they coped admirably with the deluge of thirsty
bikers.
Some of the Rejects precision rum
drinking team, were just a little worse for wear on Saturday. Maybe more
practice needed there eh Mary J
A tattooist also had a steady stream of
takers, including some rejects getting their first Ink.
Saturday and at a very laid back 1100hrs
oodles of bikes headed off for a gentle ride around the Essex countryside. With
very enthusiastic marshals pointing the big handed way. The final destination
being Eastern Cruisers, for relieving of cash, lots of shinny bits, and lots of
stunned passers by, oh and a warm can of pop. Sadly we were let down on the BBQ
so a few of us headed to the delights of Southend sea front, a nice fish lunch,
watch all the other VSOC members cruise up and down, and head back past the
Kursall to the site.
Silly games, ice creams and more gossip,
oh and the first outing this year of the rocket (yes it was us). The food van
(good people) and tea marquee was one of the main meeting areas.
The theme for the evening was Essex Boys
and Girls, very few Boys but eeeuuugh the women. It was to say the least
frightening. My personal favourite, was Dave from Solent with his version of an
old Essex tart. A few you really had to guess to know the guy underneath.
With
a firework display to round it all off it really was the most relaxed and
chilled out weekend. Essex showed us all how to have a good time once again.
Sunday and more sunshine, this really was
fantastic.
A scenic ride home (me? take the wrong
road Never) and I have had the glorious chilled feeling for days after.
No major suprises, incidents etc just
possibly the best weekend this year. (But then the Scrumpies always know how to
party well and they are next)
Bosun
