Isn’t it funny how quickly your memory fades after these events?  Or perhaps it’s some kind of coping mechanism.  Either way, fortunately I took a load of photos, so that should help me remember what happened.  Plus, I’ve been quite for too long and people will start to think my photos will never be published.  But don’t forget – I have more, bwaa ha ha!

Unfortunately I had to work on the Friday and finished quite late so ended up travelling up early (yes, I said early!) on the Saturday morning.  I arrived about half an hour before the ride out left and was pretty wide-awake.  And cold.  I threw my stuff in the tent and drank the tea Steve gave me, jumped back on my bike and marshalled for the ride out.  Seemed a good idea at the time but having spent the last three hours hacking up the motorway, I think I should perhaps have gone pillion.

We finally arrived to have a look at the steam trains, but first port of call was the loo and food.  Feeling almost human again, Nick and I wandered round.  Sandy the Perv fluttered her eyelids at the train driver and managed to get on board the engine.  After a while, we all headed back to site.  Unfortunately, Sandy had a bit of a dink on the way back and she injured her hand…

It was Kevin’s birthday so some bright spark had the idea of dressing up to look like him.  So, as we wandered into the hall that evening, we were confronted by hundreds of Kevin look-alikes.  A scary picture, particularly when sober.

Some time during the evening Dave decided to get his nipple pierced.  Fortunately I wasn’t there to see it, although I understand it was all captured on film.  Needless to say, he was quite tender and a new dance was born…

Later on, the drink started to work its way through my system so I paid a visit to the loos.  As I came out, I was confronted with the vision of Sandy walking out with her trousers round her ankles and unable to pull them back up on her own.  Gallantly, Janet stepped in and saved the day.  And, of course, I just happened to have my camera at the ready…

Sunday was a nice chill out day for us but I was lead astray by Nick and his two kids Amy and Darren.  I got my hip flask out and we shared it between us.  “Is that it?” they said when it had all gone.  Fortunately I did have some more, but before too long that was gone too.  Of course, some people just don’t know when they’ve had enough!  I sloped off for a nap and then met up with everyone else in the clubhouse later.  We were all pretty knackered at the end though, which I think is always a sign of a good rally!

Anne