CMA National Rally

Supposed to go on Thursday but Colin had to go to the Walk In centre. Worked out well, after a day of things not going right, I was just home from Maplin when the postman arrived. So... hopefully, the opening ceremony recorded in glorious HD. Ended up going Friday morning so I could give Colin a lift. Bit stressful getting there.. mainly due to Scooter Tony's following skills. Going in front and completely ignoring all attempts to flash and indicate and shout from the 'lead' vehicle because he was too busy watching his fuel gauge made it tricksy.

There in plenty of time for the afternoon seminar by Richard Lowe on Trusting God for the impossible. The advice on promises is to just keep waiting! He kept firing bible verses at me.. 25 I noted, but I did miss some. Got laughed at for trying to take notes, and laughed at more for my name!

Chips for tea in Uncle Terry's room. Then the evening service. It was ace! The welsh guy Mike Adams from World Horizons gave a great talk and the worship was fantastic, the band were brilliant and they played some great songs over the weekend. Love it when the worship gets me jumping. The service finished at 10, so I managed to catch the whole of the flags procession at the opening ceremony. It was as though they scoured the world for all the hugest people and made them carry a flag! The last bit of the torch relay was fab. Loved the Becks to Redgrave changeover, but none of us guessed correctly who would light it. I think it was great that they stuck to the whole 'Inspire a generation' ideal.. very brave decision. The kettles into the cauldron idea was awesome. Real wow factor from how beautiful each country's kettle coming together was. Had more than a tear in my eye! Can't wait to watch the whole thing when I get back. Was the last one to leave at 1am.. but still so excited that I did a lap of the camp site and my Olympics bunting-ed van with my own torch!

Bit of lie in required, but lovely hot shower and lovely EEB and still in time for the 'love your joints' seminar. A little disappointing if I'm honest. Also disappointed to miss lots of Mike Adam's seminar about the bikes/scooters CMA donate to projects around the world. But, it was worth it to go on the Ride Out, both for the yummy ice cream (cream tea and banoffee pie did actually go together) and the comfy ride on Martin's Yamaha V Max. I strongly contest the fact that this bike later won the 'Mother's Nightmare' award! Chat with Martin about surfing was cut short to go watch the baptisms in the paddling pool. Always moving.

This is what I look like at the minute btw:

And this was the nicest bike of the weekend, in my humble, and very biased, opinion:

It seems that Bumble was the additional meeting point for the weekend.. it was great, people congregating to chat, and often about VWs and surfing so I was able to join in. Graham (T25) was lovely, as is Rob from Birmingham.

Barbie was rubbish, but worship was again brilliant, and Mike's talk great. A lot earlier to bed! But only after Pillinger talked me into going to the Harley Thunder in the Glen Rally in Aviemore in a couple of weeks time.

Sunday. Didn't sleep great. Heard a lot of Bill Bryson and had to use the fleece blanky, although in my defence, several blokes said they were cold too. Up for the prayer meeting at 7:30 amazingly, but only in a studenty baseball cap on and go kinda way.

Only had time to open two cards as the crowds congregated at my van again.. Rob took me up on the offer of a Banjo and Graham was back for another chat. The worship today was really, really brilliant, with great versions of Be Thou my Vision and How Great thou art. A Word from Graham about betrayal had me in tears, but eventually got prayer from Sandy. My only criticism of the weekend was that they didn't have the prayer ministry team available today.

Anyway, goodbyes with new friends and then collecting and delivering Colin. Big showers and sunshine. Put me off a ride or a fly. Unpacked and got all sorted then unwrapped pressies :-)

Fell asleep right there on the floor. Woke up hungry. And lonely. A little later I was very very full of curry and happily watching 3 different Olympics channels and then the MotoGP. Am going to overdose on sport for the next 2 weeks. Hurrah! Can you tell I'm excited..

Elliot

Can't say that without it being in ET's voice. Went to see Ruth's baby boy today. He is lovely. I need to get used to holding babies again.. bump will arrive soon!

Vicky texted during the day so we had an impromptu picnic at Bradgate. Eventually. There are more car parks for Bradgate park than either of us knew about! Was fantastic to see her again, and great to have a chat about love and life and God's promises.

First Face Plant

Up late, skipped breakfast and washing and went off to the car boot to buy more crap to replace all that I'd managed to get rid of yesterday! Pops hobbled along to despite Ma's warnings it would hurt his foot (it really did). Got some cool stuff, and got to tell off Rob for the tenner in Angelique's card.

Bumble's horn beeping when he went over a speed bump was funny at first. Not so funny when he was beeping all the way down the road. Luckily the only people that thought we were beeping at them were Rob and Maralyn! Pops had a look, then did the quick fix. Disconnected it. A mystery for another time.

Texted Chalkie and he was up for a trip out so quick shower and cereal bar dinner.. then, predictably, off to Hemsby!!! Busiest I've seen Hemsby in ages. Found a bare spot quite a way down the beach and got the kite out. Must buy a stake, for times there are not handy rocks. I very quickly regretted asking Chalkie to grab me if I started to disappear down the beach. Was very very windy and I am very light.. so he grabbed me.. and I didn't feel able to shout 'argh, let go, you're crushing my boobs!!' Not that there is anything to crush, but it hurt more being held down by his bear hug than being dragged does. It did provide the first comedy moment though... when the wind died and we both fell backwards in a heap. Nan thought it was hilarious. Unfortunately Pops hadn't hobbled down the beach quick enough to get it on video, but he was installed on a dune in time to capture my first Kiting face plant!!! It doesn't help that I lose all strength once I start to giggle.




I like how my father just laughs rather than running to my aid!

There is a longer video on you tube, you can watch it here.

Chalkie and Pops also had a go. However, Chalkie was either very wise, or just no fun depending on your point of view. He dug himself a little hole to sit in and got himself nicely immovable. Cheat! I got a rare compliment from Pops.. he was sat down and hanging on.. and said "well, you're not a wimp!" I'll take that!

Mum called end of play after Pops crashed the baby kite into her head, so we headed back up to Martins Bingo, emptying a dune's worth of sand out of trainers on the way. We got several wins between us so had a look at the prizes. I very nearly ended up with a pink doll after Nan asked if I'd like anything and so I pointed to the worst prize I could find. Worries me slightly that she would think for a moment that I would like a huge rag doll dressed all in pink. Actually worries me a lot. We did have a serious look at the prizes, and when we got home we discovered that between us we have enough for a Kindle!!!!

Yummy hog roast roll and chips for tea (worth skipping breakfast and dinner for) then home. Emptied another dune's worth of sand out of my trousers. Note to self, don't wear trousers with loads of pockets next time you get dragged down a beach!

Long drive back to Loughborough always depressing after a great weekend. Work sucks! 

Rock and Bike Fest

Did my first proper Holy Joes at a proper bike rally this weekend. Somehow managed to get all my camping gear into a rucksack, and my wellies and pot noodles on the back. Not really enough room for me on the bike. Spent most of the time either in my biker wellies making deluxe hot chocolates or in my tent trying to get some sleep. I did make it to the main arena a couple of times, did some shopping in the weirdo goth stands. Got mocked for the pirate theme to my purchases (earring, scarf and flag). Managed to resist the t shirt for the first time ever... mainly because I didn't like the stereotypical biker picture on the front (bearded man riding, curvy woman on the back).

I did go with a few of the others to go see The Sweet. They were really good! I knew two more songs than I thought I did, and I was gutted I had to leave after Blockbuster to go on shift. Serving in Holy Joes went really well. No-one told me off, and I didn't touch the boilers! I think I got on well with everybody, and didn't do anything stupid. I didn't talk to people as much as others did, but I guess you always have to have someone making the teas. Was good to get to listen to other CMA members. Neil and Jackie and Bob are ace, and gave me lots of good riding advice. I did find a niche too... being a light climber I was the one who shed wellies and hopped between the tables to cut the cable ties to get the lights off the frame before taking the tent down.

The other guys soon got used to me being called mate by customers guessing wrong. Colin got asked if I was his son, but the best was Leslie. She had walked past my tent earlier and seen me curled up asleep. She then told everyone that I looked like 'an abandoned boy'!!!

Naughty Bumble

It's now Wednesday. Me and Bumble are supposed to be moving all the CMA Holy Joes gear to Elvaston Castle in Derbyshire today. We are, in fact, stuck in Norwich. Bumble has broken again. I was about to go to the city in him on Monday, stalled it 3 times in the garden, and crawled out onto the road. Would not rev above 1200rpm. Abandoned him in a side street and got out Dad's bike. Pumped up the tyre, hopped on and .. went nowhere. No chain. Not chain come off. No chain. Hopped on Dad's other bike and rode Sideshow Bob style to his garage. Nice lunch in Giraffe. Wandered round the shops. Threatened to steal the glass counter tops again in Animal, ended up walking out with one, legally. The fab guy just asked his boss then gave me one!

Evening not so successful. No easy fix for Bumble. No fix Tuesday night either, so I'm sat here scanning papers (me and Pops are famous thanks to running after Connie) and blogging and making Dad's puzzle while it chucks it down outside. Will borrow Pops' car this afternoon and head home. Camping at Rock and Bike fest will be tricky!

Sat at Dubs

Really needed a lie in. Sent this text to Ems: "You think the guy playing Faithless 'I can't get no sleep' really loud is trying to be ironic?"  I'm gonna have to get used to festivals.. ludicrously loud music late night, early morning and all the time inbetween. Very lazy morning, which was lovely. Wandered round the stalls for a bit till it tipped it down. Got a bargain Haynes towel, SW tin, and a bungee thing to attach flags to my pole thing. Also fell foul of the DATH merchandise stand. Oops. Hunger made me leave the shelter of a weird burnt wood stall. Sun back out by the time I sorted lunch.. can't be sunbathing with crisps and a good book! Wandered over the arena again later for a listen to the bands. Wandered back for tea, wandered back for the evening's boogie. P45 were good.. lots of jumpy ska. Acts after that were rubbish. Gave up and went back to Bumble when it got all drum and bass-y. Had a much better time with a hot chocolate and Sherlock Holmes 2 on iPad in bed hehe. I'm so old!

Top tip for the day was: "shorts and wellies is not a good look"

and the cool thing of the day was watching the ground steaming in the boiling sun after the thunderstorms.

Sunday morning I was awake and ready to get the E.E.B.s on ready for folks arrival. However, they checked the website for directions, and, just like with me and the Bus Stopover, they foundout it was cancelled. Strange how I was there and had no idea! Anyway, website said absolutely no visitors, refunding tickets etc. So I toddled off (made a change from wandering) to the info tent to check. Confirmed they were not allowing visitors, and there was pretty much nothing to visit. Everyone was packing up, show and shine was cancelled and to be judged on the campsite and the Star Wars club were not coming. So, no chance of winning 50 quid to pay for my weekend then. And I now regretted now going round the campsite taking photos on Saturday, thinking I'd do it at SnS. Shame I didn't get a pic of the yellow bay with Mr Men curtains, and the old Fiat camper whose owner had used gaffer tape to cross out the Fiat badge on the front, and make a VW logo on the bonnet instead.. genius! Wonder if that instantly makes it break down?!

I did take a photo of my own little camp on the Saturday..

So.. awning chucked in a binbag (wet, not thrown away) and a quick prayer before trying to get off the muddiest part of the site. Home in time for a shower and the end of the German MotoGP, roast dinner then tennis. Disappointed for Murray but glad I didn't have to sit through 5 sets of Dad calling him a pratt.

Dubs at the Hall

Went home after lesson 3 to make a point. Should have expected that from school, working an extra 3 hours unpaid each week for the whole year. Scream. Back for the quiz, which was excellent fun. The music round was hilarious, Liz Stevens reading Nirvana lyrics with absolute seriousness.

Got the packing done and got on the road. Sky packed in again as I was out the door, so couldn't have watched Murray's semi anyway. Unlike last year's trip this time he won! Was one of the last ones there so got put right on the corner by the entrance. Was already very muddy there. Little did I know how much worse it would get, and how much it would smell like a wet rabbit hutch all weekend. Finally got to test out last year's birthday present. Ignored the instructions and had the awning up without too much bother. On reflection I pitched it too close to the van but I'll know for next time. Nice having stir fry for tea in my comfy chair.

Headed over to the arena for a mooch around. Looked similar to last year. Went in the Big Top. Rivers were good, Indie Rock mostly, then the DJ put on some fab tunes.. Baggy Trousers followed by Sweet Dreams, then a bit of Prodigy!!! Kicked out at 12:15, pee by phone light then bed.

Olympic Flame

Really needed Jamie's Mum to be back on time. She wasn't. Led to my speediest ever riding, with overtaking and everything. Three hours is definitely my bum on seat limit. Made it in the door 5 mins before the torch was due on Cromer road. Threw my kit down, jump in car, get out of car leaving Dad to abandon it somewhere. Was fab to see so many people there, and so cool that the torch came through my home town.

Dashed back home and back out down the city to try to see the cauldron being lit in Chapelfield Gardens. Quickly became evident that wasn't going to happen! Queued to get into the park, and by the time we reached the stage...

Gutted. But did get to chat to this torch bearer, who was nominated for Guides stuff and looking after her autistic son. Was all over in the park, and we arrived at the Assembly Rooms for the last 2 bars of the band there, then saw the last bit of some cycling gymnasts, then made it to the Forum for some lovely views and meeting Joey.

From there we went for chips on the market. The queue was so long we got a burger each to keep us going while we waited! Watched this amazing athletic and hilarious performance while we scoffed chips..






Connie torch relay
We'd thurs

Sent from my iPhone

Big Ride Out

McD missed photo
line of bikes snails hills
mirror filled with bikes
mallory noise and smell