Isle of Wight, 22nd - 25th August 2003

Friday.  We arrived at the ferry terminal and hadn't been there more than two minutes when someone planted a huge kiss on the back of my head.   Luckily it wasn't a weird pervert but was in fact Jo, who'd just arrived with Duaine and Mark on his LD.   After a smooth journey (thank goodness, I've been known to get seasick on a pedalo) we arrived in Ryde and popped into the Marine pub to catch up with a few of the Nuneaton gang.  They'd had a heavy session the previous night and seemed determined to continue in the same vein.  We, however, decided to nip back to the B & B to change and eat before the big night ahead.   When we got back to the pub they were all still there, including Lee Parker, Lucy, Jo, Donna, Spooner and Rich.  I scooted off to the Lud to catch up with the Sussex contingent and found Gary and the rest of the Detours propping up the phone box.  By now it was time to head up the hill to Ryde Theatre for the do, where More Specials were playing.   They was superb, as usual, and Johnny dedicated Stupid Marriage to me and Jo.   What are they trying to say??!!!   The band encouraged everyone to get on stage during Enjoy Yourself, and Jo didn't need to be asked twice.  She also managed to get a couple of setlists as souvenirs, which was handy as I spilt cider all over mine, and all over my phone, but luckily it survived.  Sadly, the setlist didn't....

Saturday.   Visited the custom show and saw some lovely scooters, including a lot of new ones.   Then a few of us went on a mini rideout via Bembridge to the airport where we stopped at a pub for a late lunch.   Gary was still suffering the effects of last night's drinking so had a glass of lemonade.   He then astounded us by announcing that this was only the 3rd or 4th time in his entire life that he'd been in a pub and not drunk beer!   We had lunch there, abandoning the diet for a couple of hours.   Stacey and I indulged in a creamy pineapple meringue concoction which finished it off nicely.   We headed back to the B & B for a nap and caught up with the footie scores.   Pompey were beating Manchester City away, which was fantastic.   Sadly, when I woke up I discovered City had equalised, but it was still a good result for us.   

We went to the Ice Rink that evening, where 2 Tonic were playing.   They were really good, despite the lead singer Ralph being a scummer, and it was nice to have plenty of room to dance.   Me and Jo got setlists again but she didn't get up on stage this time!  The second band, The Inciters, were good but I think that one band would have been enough.  A lot of people drifted away, and by the time they finished the place was half empty.  The disco started and they played some absolute classics but we had to leave at 2am to join Gary in their taxi which was a shame.  The music was really good but it was a couple of hours too late....

Sunday.  Very tired, but dragged ourselves up for the rideout.   It was amazing, there seemed to be even more scooters parked at the ice rink than ever before.   Lee had a go on Sticky's chopper and started a debate over whose was bigger.   After adding up all the measurements they decided that Lee won by 6 inches, which made him very proud.  The Isle of Wight rideouts are such a fantastic experience, I couldn't believe how many people had lined the route, and most had camcorders as well, it was mad.   We took the same route that we'd taken the previous day, but carried on to Sandown Rugby Club where there was a huge field, music, plenty of beer and blazing sunshine - perfect!   An ice cream van finished it off nicely, and Nita rode her Tutti Fruitti scoot with the chimes blaring out.   Mr Ice Cream van looked really worried, I think he thought she was going to steal all his customers.   He quickly played his tunes (which bizarrely included Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer) but not for long as there were queues of sweaty scooterists waiting to get hold of his 99's.  Mine came with nuts and sauce on top and was lovely!   The next surreal moment came when (a certain lanky freelance magazine writer with long hair) let off a rocket, trying desperately to aim for a mate that was circling the field in a microlight aeroplane.   Luckily, once the smoke and fireworks had cleared, the microlight was spotted safe and sound, heading back to the island's airport.  

That evening we headed to the Squadron for a couple, then once again to the theatre, this time for The Jamm.  It was packed, and onstage were the Ten O'Clock Scholars.   We only caught the end of their set but they sounded really good.   Next, it was the Paul Weller Connection who were brilliant as usual.  Dave Porter was spinning some superb sounds between the bands and I had the best dance of the weekend.   Then came the headliners, The Jamm.  The crowd went mad and I had to retreat to the side of the stage to avoid getting trampled!   It was very, very hot but everyone still danced away, including birthday girl Emma Cox who looked gorgeous in a little pink number....  The band were superb, and when I caught up with them afterwards they looked like they'd been for a swim!  Mag was trying desperately to revive John and Andy who were both crashed out on the floor with exhaustion.  Ray was at least upright, but fading fast, and completely drenched.   John kindly donated a setlist to make it a hat trick for me.   I think he was too knackered to say no!

Another great rally, and even bigger than previous years.   It does help when the weather's nice, but the bands were fantastic and the picturesque rideouts were great fun.  Roll on Woolacombe....