Isle of Wight 2009

Despite a dodgy weather forecast we left Bognor in the sun and headed down the A27 for the short trip to Pompey.  At the ferry port we were caught up by Rob, Tina and Dolly, but as they hadn't booked in advance they had to wait for a later ferry.   After a short wait we boarded the boat and had the company of the A5s so I had a windswept chat with Sandra on the deck and finally managed to get some of their club stickers from a helpful chap, so I can now decorate my DJ box with them!!  Lee was the last one off the ferry as he had to tether the chop to a special anchoring point, and once off we headed into Ryde for that best part of the day - the ride down Union Street and onto the seafront - it gives me the most massive thrill every single year!

Lee and I headed to Bembridge for our traditional lunch overlooking the sea and then returned to the green in Ryde, to meet future club members Jamie and Sam who had come over for the day on the hovercraft and were quite happy to pose on my scooter.   We had to shelter in the toilets a couple of times when the heavens opened, but apart from that the sun shone down, making Lee's chrome look very shiny and attracting lots of attention.  We nipped up to the campsite to check out the many stalls, having a nice chat with Parker and Lucy on the gate.  There seem to be more stalls every year, selling just about everything you could possibly want with a scooter on it (apart from a Daniel-size Lambretta t-shirt, unfortunately).

In the evening we made the long walk into Ryde accompanied by Gail and Lil who were staying in our chalet in Seaview.   We headed for Yelfs and met up with Champs, Tina and Dolly who were staying in the hotel, and Mark and Karen who were going to crash at our place - it was far too dark to think about pitching a tent!  After a bite to eat Lee and I headed to Hipshaker where we caught up with Lobby and Chilli.   We didn't want to peak too early so started the long walk back along the prom just after midnight, and it wasn't long before Gail, Lil, Mark and Karen caught us up.  The walk seemed a lot longer in the dark, and Lee's 'short cut' turned out to be a wild goose chase, but at least we didn't have the hassle of trying to get a taxi, which I know from experience is virtually impossible at that time of night on the bank holiday weekend.

Saturday dawned and it was a lovely sunny day again - perfect rally weather!  Lee and I went to the custom show which was, as ever, filled with shiny scooters, many of which I hadn't seen before.   The one with the wow factor for me was a Jack Daniels bottle-shaped 'sidecar' (or storage unit, I'm not sure which) but there were many that caught my eye.  Back at the green we caught up with the rest of the club, many of whom had arrived on the morning ferry.  As it was lunchtime we went for a ride out of town and Gary led us to the most picturesque view I've seen on the island, to a pub at the top of a hill overlooking the eastern part of the island, Sandown and over to the mainland.  It was so nice being with most of the old gang - we hadn't had such a large group of Detours (and friends) together on scooters for many, many years.

And so to the evening.   We managed to catch the hourly bus into town, saving us another long walk and Gary was very helpful handing out the flyers I had to distribute.   We congregated at the Lud, and then ended up next door in the Chinese where I couldn't resist more food having seen Lofty and Rhona's lovely looking chow mein.  It was really warm in there, and much easier to get drinks than next door in the pub so we just stayed there, drinking and chatting.   We were joined by Waid 'Scooter Daddy' Parker and his son Matt, both of whom were over for the day mainly to see the Aggrolites whom Matt used to play with.  Waid was giving out his 'I Know Scooter Daddy' badges and various other goodies including t-shirts galore.  We knew that the band were on fairly early so headed over to the Ice Rink and it was perfect timing as they came on just after we got there.   I can't remember seeing the venue so full, and everyone loved the Aggrolites, with people dancing right at the back of the hall.   Matt was bouncing around at the front and then joined them on stage for the final song, playing keyboards!   Disco Daz then took over the decks and played some top tunes before the main act, Neville Staple, came on stage.  He was great - I think he's much better these days than when he performed a couple of years ago.   The highlight for me was Monkey Man, which is Daniel's favourite song, and I was swept away with the crowd of people all skanking and bouncing to the music.  Then Pauline Black came on stage and did 2 or 3 Selecter numbers, finishing with 'the hit' (as she called it) On My Radio, before passing the baton back to Neville to wind things up.  

And then it was Sunday, and time to go home.   We couldn't even stay for the rideout, thanks to Sky's decision to give Pompey the lunchtime kick off against Man City, so I had to dash back to Fratton Park to watch the match on my way home.  It had been a great weekend, helped by the weather, the highlight being (as ever) riding around the island on the scooters.   Plus, spending it with our friends, and having a good laugh in the process...