Thunder Friday

Hmm. This is the trouble with getting behind on the blog. I have no idea what happened on the Friday. I think I did a stint in HJs, then wandered round the trade bit. There was an expensive accident in the Edinburgh HD 50% off stand. In my defence, this was the result of a whole weekend with only HJs or shopping to do (well, when I couldn't get a pillinge), and I'm not going to admit to hiding in the van watching Pride and Prejudice, as that would just shatter my image!

Anyway, I can get married now, I've got my shirt all ready ;-)

Just remembered what I did Friday night, Bryn took me for a ride on his Yamaha Dragster and we went through the lovely scenery around Boat (?) looking for a restaurant. Ended up back in Aviemore for an extremely yummy pizza. Nice ride and nice chat. Me like Bryn. And his pipe smoke. 

Thunder in the Glens - Thurs

Ian had mentioned 'a rally in Scotland with thousands of Harleys' months ago. I'd asked him to get me a t-shirt as I dismissed it as too far away. Then I met Pillinger at the CMA National Rally. Her powers of persuasion were very effective. Actually it wasn't that hard. "get me a pillinge on a Harley and I'll come".

Thursday. Meant to leave at 8. Was gone 9. Why do I faff so much?? Especially as I had spent most of yesterday de-pinking my cut off, packing Bumble and sorting the route.

..which took forever as I set routes to each geocache. Anyway, after failure at the first cache it went better from there. Somewhere in Northern England I was overtaken by a couple of Harleys. The second must have noticed the HD decal on Bumble's window, and waved.. so I waved back (in a manic, big grin, that's made my day type way). I wondered if they were going to the rally. Also got a wave from a dub, and that always makes me smile too.

Picnic in Bumble somewhere near Durham..  (surely that's saved me another tenner for HD gear?!)

This was the nicest setting for a cache, this is Percy's cross in Northumberland. I was wondering later how on earth the journey took 11 hours instead of 8, and I think the phone call from Christian Aid didn't help. 

Next stop was at the border. Just got out to take photos and see if there was a cache (there was) when a couple of Harleys pulled up. They looked familiar!! Was funny watching one guy take his helmet off and look quizzically at Bumble. Quickly established that yes, we were the ones that had waved at each other, and it turns out that Wayne and Carl had left Thorpe Acre in Loughborough ten minutes after I did!! So, as I have learned that if you don't ask you don't get, I tried to beg a pillinge on the ride out. First time I've ever asked for a bloke's number! I also learned the secret for not getting a sore bum on long rides, it comes in a hip flask!

They don't look hugely different to me..

Loads more Harleys, some from Belgium, then rolled up...

View from Bumble at the cache in the Highlands. So glad it was an earth cache and I didn't actually have to get out! Little did I know how common this type of view would be (misty hills seen through lots of rain)

Stopped at the Ralia cafe just 16 miles away from Aviemore for the last cache. Getting late. Easy enough find near whatever this is, but no-one warned me about the ferocity and suddenness of the Midge attack!!! Was bitten to death in seconds by black dots!! What's that all about God??

Finally got to the MacDonald resort (half of Aviemore) and found the motorhome parking. The others made Bumble look tiny and all lonely, but there was one other fabulous HD T4!!

Went off in search of water to cook tea, and of Holy Joes. All I found were miles of fencing. I could not find a way into the camping field. Saved by a phone call from Ian, and then very, very happy to see Pillinger in her car. Even happier once moved Bumble to the car park near Holy Joes, fed and sat listening to new people with a hot choc warming my hands. Swapped hot water bottle for a HD mug. Prob sums up my priorities.

Making it hard for myself

Windsurfing on Tues, wanted to go even though there was hardly any wind, just so it wasn't a complete waste of time getting all the kit from the loft to the van. Met John (potential CMA!) there. We swapped boards in the middle of the lake after I had struggled to escape the weed and then sort of drifted to one end of the lake. Was soooo much easier to get back on the club kit. It seems my kit is intended for a really good sailor (which I am clearly not) and in high enough winds for planing (which it clearly was not). Whilst it was easier to get back, it was also the most I have fallen in in a very long time. Not good for the ego, but probably better for learning. Hurrah for Bumble being the coolest surf van (although if he was LWB it would be easier to get the board in, but get even more told off at the flat)

Aaaaaarrrr

Rebel bike and trike rally last weekend. Very tiring as not many CMA members there, in fact down to 2 or 3 of us 'ladies' each night, so up till nearly 3am, and 2 am. At one point I was midway thru making a deluxe and couldn't think what to do next I was so tired.

Best bit was having a beard!! the face painting lady set up in our tent on Friday as it was raining, so of course, I ended up playing pirates with her 4 year old.

Did cause lots of amusement while serving that night, and I have to say that it is one of my favourite things about bike rallies... that you can have a multicoloured mohican AND a painted on pirate face, and no-one bats an eyelid. Its quite strange 'fitting in' for once!

Most funny conversation was some guy ordering his drinks:

Approaches: "2 bottles of water please Boss"

Leaves: "thanks darling"

We were wondering at what point in the process he changed his mind!

Cutest dog in the world???

I did wonder if they would do a swap for next weekend?

The CMA guys were all very mean, and wouldn't let me buy anything, even though there were many coolius bargains. They promised there would be more lovely bargains next week and I had to save my money. Lets hope it's not Hein Gericke all over again!

Typical sight in the camping field...

Tried to go windsurfing after packing up, but was so late arriving at the club day that there was no wind, the boys were then leaving and the only wet I got was when the heavens opened. Ah well. The kite surfing thing is looking positive though. Need to get my training done.

Ashby Folville

I have to bring Dad!!! This was brilliant. A little village somewhere in Leicestershire, and every second Tuesday it has a classic car and bike show on it's cricket field. Not just 'classics' though.. there were loads of cool toys, some old classic, some very new classic.

I went on Gladis with Terry. I did not follow him round the tractor, hence I got there. Got bored of him talking, although am amazed at how he can just start a conversation with anybody, and wandered off to see the cars....

I won't include the photos of bits of cars, or else there will be hundreds, but this should give an idea of the range of stuff there (well, my taste within that range)

Mobyyyyyyyyy..

We MUST do something with poor Moby

I'd have had it done all black, with the red stripe, but hey.. oh, and bullet holes probably..

See, lots of shiny Mobys..
 

See, every Dub needs a mascot..

Me want one!!! all time favourite car.. well, one of.. favourite that isn't a bus I suppose..

New and shiny dub.. that's just cheating!

Don't think much of BMW's attempt at a Splittie

T4!!!! Jealous... me want LED badge and cool headlights too...

You can keep the Rolls Royce headlamp wipers though!

Best rat!

Hmm Mac won't load the rest of the photos. Full up! will complete log once I've cleared some room. Long overdue a backup. Might keep me awake during the England game tonight.

Ok, just about enough room now.

Or this might be best rat, if it is rat, think it's just original paintwork. Did look like it was so tired by the time it got there it had just collapsed down onto the grass.

Another cool Dub mascot..

Forget your 'retro' picnic sets and gingham.. this is what you really want inside your camper..

Gladis is in here somewhere! I didn't get to see hardly any of the bikes.. so many!

Right.. back to trying to clear some space on Mr Macbook.