Modrapheniacs Rally - March 2009

You'll have to forgive the lack of detail in this write-up as I'm doing it four months after the rally!  

We managed to get down to Dorset in the dry, despite being followed by huge rain clouds all the way.  As I was on the back of Lee for a change I managed to get some action photos of the various riders!

We headed for the bar, Gary in a shopping trolley (I can't quite remember how that happened!!) and met up with the Pacemakers.   The main room had a new feature - a big screen which was displaying messages texted to it by various punters.   Lee then proceeded to compose a text, and we all waited with bated breath to see what it said - it was a happy 40th birthday to Hammy.   Jokingly, I said I thought it was going to be a proposal....   A few beers later, I was on my way back from the caravan (one of my many trips to top up my cider) when Lee jumped out from behind a tree and dragged me to the screen in reception.   We waited, and waited... and then finally it appeared - "Bognor Betty, will you marry me?".   (One of Lee's mates - Tracey - christened me Bognor Betty when we first got together)   I took a quick photo and headed back to the main room, where a band were finishing off.   I hopped onto the stage where Emma Cox was waiting to take over on the decks, and asked if I could make a quick announcement.   (The ciders had kicked in by now and I was feeling very brave)  So the band finished, Emma gave me the mike and I announced to the world (or at least, to the drunken crowd that were watching me) that my answer to Lee was YES!!!   Emma then proceeded to play It Must Be Love, and Lee proceeded to hide behind his pint...   Tina took the official engagement photo and we all carried on drinking and dancing into the wee small hours!   When we went back to the caravan we popped in to see Gary and Lin on the way, and told them our news.   He started planning his new suit and I started planning my big day!!

The proposal....   And the official engagement pic taken by Tina!

Saturday dawned and after a quick look round the stalls and the custom show we headed into Sandford.  We had a lovely lunch in the pub by the river and then went off in search of Lee's lot but they were crammed into a pub watching the football so we went over the road for a couple of drinks instead.

And so to the evening.  Everyone was in good spirits and we caught up with the Talismen, especially Karl who was getting lots of attention due to his enormous biceps!  Mark tried to compete with his 6-pack but failed dismally.   Stacey and Lin persuaded him to take his top off, for a photo opportunity (all very sexist, but it makes a change for women to be doing it!!) and he duly obliged, very embarrassed.   Angus drank a bit too much and fell asleep, another classic photo opportunity, and we were one of the last to leave.  Thanks to Claire and her pals, the Talismen, Tina and Rhona for keeping the dancefloor busy - it was a great night and another great rally!