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The International Rally 2005 “S.E. MILIONG? Never
heard of it” said the doctor scratching his head looking at Seirra Leonne in
his painful holiday jab booklet. “It’s near North Ampton”
I replied…. “Just to be on the safe side we shall have a go with all”
replied the doctor (Still none the wiser). So 25 minutes later I exited feeling
not unlike a pin cushion and wondering if I could ever sit down again. So early on the morning pf
the 10th June I meet Paul and a few others at the Wellhouse (Dragging
Jim out of the bar at 09.15)”All ready?“ asked Paul as I rechecked on
Mosquioto net,passport, mixed foreign currency ( as even I did not know where we
were off too) anti tummy bug tablets etc.. “Ready “I replied and we headed
off in totally the wrong way to what I was expecting. In but a trice we were at
some strange services, miles from any continental land masses, but other
Vsocians were there so it must be ok. And so now a small raiding party of
Rejects followed bright green signs to a small gated island enclave in the back
end of beyond, not abroad, though they did speak funny, and many had been
assimilated by the borg nation with strange electical devices sticking out of
their heads, they seemed friendly though. Having accepted our carrier
bag of delights (and a loo roll was this to prove an omen?) we found our way to
the camping site, and after a short dissagreement of where to plonk the tents,
the Rejects camp was set. And then Dave and Mary then had to resite, while Steve
“mmmm I just love the smell of Jeyes fluid in the morning” hid behind the
portaloo’s. The bikes were then parked
in amongst all the rest in a proper bike park, which was soon full to
overflowing, very impressive. And so while serenaded by
the sounds of the natives smashing down the shanty town nearby we headed for the
bar. “Bonjour mon petite barmaid, quatre beers pour pa voir” I
proudly displayed my linguistic skills. “Inside or outside glasses luv”
replied the comely wench, pointing at the “English muney only at bar” sign
releiving me of my cash and so beers sorted we went for a stroll around the
local village, where we found, painters, toolshops, exotic and erotic clothing,
a local eating establishment and a tuck shop selling all kinds of local
delicaces. I was tempted to have my
seat recovered and so went to remove said seat and left it with “Digger” to
have it reshaped. Small strange pieces of paper known as “FoodTokens” were
exchanged for vitals of an unknown origin but very edible. There was also a tent
with the best coffee I have had for ages, real coffee on tap is surely the way
to go. Strange noises eminated
from the big marquee, where also the raffle prizes and awards were laid out,with
a supurb sound system provided by Tigers MCC (Hello Santa and Jim) who did an
ace job of providing the sounds and comparing all weekend an impressive affair
to say the least. In the tent several musicians entertained us with what I
believe is called “rock music” and then tired but happy I strolled back to
my tent. Saturday arrived, after
passing over more “foodtokens” for a very pleasant repaste, the day was
bright and the promise of a nice ride, “ oh bother no seat” and so I watched
all the others depart and very impressive it was too. The decision was then to
walk to the town but I was then told by Digger he could not do my seat (rats I
could have done ride out), so I took the bike instead and rode around the local
area.i even gave my first pillion ride to a young lady, and then Steve on way
back. The rest of the afternoon
was relaxed watching the world go by, chatting to a wonderful trike builder, and
watching “Sherriff Ted” ride in and out on his old bikes, and as dusk fell
he lit the accetalyne and pedaled away. The evening’s
entertainment was provided by 3 bands with “Never the Bride” and
“Camoflage” as joint headlinering acts , the prizes were awarded with a bike
called “Hogslayer” winning one of the major prizes ( which surprised me as I
thought I saw TC Christensons double engined Norton Dragbike “hogslayer” at
the National motorcycle museum only 2 weeks before) it’s a very pretty bike
anyway and one which im sure we shall see more of.And well done to Devon and
Cornwall for best centre turn out. There was a shameless act
of debauchery when bikes were ridden through, and the leadsinger of Camoflage
was nearly debagged. I thing a descreete veil should be drawn over the rendition
of one of the “Bay Ciotys rollers” finest tunes “Shang a lang” with the
massed choirs of the international VSOC choir singing along. In the wee small hours we
all drifted off, the next morning we then headed home after another filling
breakfast. A fabntastic weekend all
round, and a rally many will find hard to beat, well done to the Outriders and
all the organisers. Now I wonder how much
commisssion they will charge on my unused foreign currency. Bosun
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