Woolacombe, 23rd - 25th September 2005

For the last rally of the year I decided to ride, and the bad weather forecast filled me with dread.   Lee had made me ride his scooter because there's some problem deep in my engine (apparantly), so we set off with just me, Lofty and Steve, with Lee and Gary in the back-up van.   Steve's Rally heat-seized at Southampton so we took the rest of the journey at a very stately pace, which suited me just fine as I don't like going too fast at the best of times!  Gary was in the van with his scoot because he doesn't like the M27, so as soon as we got onto the A36 he joined us on two wheels, just as it started to rain!

We then stopped in Wilton to join up with the Salisbury contingent and then had a scenic drive through some beautiful Wiltshire villages to join the A303 at Mere.  There was more drama at the next petrol station as a guy on an immaculately-restored SX slipped on some diesel as he pulled in and came off, wiping £500 off the price in an instant.  The 'For Sale' sign looked a bit forlorn as he picked up the bike and straightened out the legshields.  

Our next stop was a Wetherspoons in Tiverton, for lunch.   Most of us had the bargain 'two for £5.50' meals and I was very pleased with my chicken burger and chips.   Gary wasn't so impressed with his cottage pie, especially as it had taken so long to arrive, but I was pleased with the delay as it allowed me time for pudding and the chocolate fudge cake was amazing....

The next excitement came from trying to find a petrol station which sold Super Unleaded - something which North Devon seems to lack.   We stopped at 6 garages either side of Barnstaple before finally finding one with the correct octane levels to satisfy Campbell.  By now we were nearly at Woolacombe so it was a quick ten minute ride and we'd arrived at the holiday camp.   It had only taken 8 hours!!!!  Terry and Angie had been there for ages and we found them (not surprisingly) in the bar.   We were joined by Stacey and Linda, and Jo and Duaine arrived soon afterwards.

The excitement at finding Super Unleaded was dwarfed by the thrill at finding Texan bars in the campsite shop, so I bought half a dozen bars and immediately texted a photo of them to my sister, who loved them in the 70's!   We started the evening with a nice catch-up and chat with Jo and Duaine and then made our way to the do where the Highliners were playing.   I stayed for a bit and then went for a wander as they're not really my cup of tea.   We ended up back at the house and had a nice chat with Gary & Co.   All of this didn't really liven me up very much and, after the long journey, I was ready for an early-ish night.   However, I couldn't possibly leave without a dance so I dragged myself back to the do and after a quick boogie we called it a night and headed back to the house.

As usual I was incapable of a lie-in so at 8am I left Lee in bed and went in search of life.   I found it next door where Linda was making tea and then we were joined by Stacey and (gradually) the rest of the gang.   We went to check out the stalls which were really good - they seem to have more and more every year.   Lee bought me some bargain Lambretta clothing for my birthday (cos he's a cheapskate!!) and then he had a go on the shooting range.   Apparantly he was very good, but I got bored after a couple of shots and went in search of a patch and more Texan bars.

We then hopped on the scooter and went for a ride down town, ending up at the Red Barn for lunch.   I wished we'd brought the body boards cos the surf was looking lively and it would have been nice to have had a go.   

After a quick snooze we headed to the pub on the site where we were joined by the rest of the club and, later on, most of the Talismen.  

We then went back up the hill in search of music and people, but the main room was fairly empty and the Northern room was even worse!   So we ended up in the bowling alley where Mike and Steve from the Modrapheniacs were playing a nice mix of soul and ska.  Back in the main room we had a bit of a dance and then it was time for the band, Spunge.   They were great, and it was nice to see a bunch of young, energetic lads for a change and they played a lively set to a very appreciative audience.  Afterwards the DJ played a great mix of music and the more I drank, the more I danced, until the end at 2am which seemed far too early!

Sunday dawned and we were a weary bunch as we rode home.   The weather was kind to us and it was another great journey - luckily a lot quicker than the ride down.   By 2.30 I was in a nice hot bath and reflecting on a great rally.   Another season is over - can't wait til next year!