Wilts members at Bedfordshire (‘Clappers’ Rally) saw Claire & Dave J wending their way from Wilts along the M3 then north up the M25 & the M1 to the Beds rally at The Cross Keys’ Pub, in Bedfordshire, just over 100 miles away. After a busy & long day Claire Jolly drove the motorhome with Dave acting as co-pilot. Arriving at 21:30 in just over 2 & a half hours, inclusive of a comfort stop for our dogs, it was time to fill the motorhome’s water tank, buy some electric from the Pub before the bar closed, connect up the dog 🐕 fence around the motorhome & finally get some shut eye 😴 💤 before enjoying Beds HOC’s rally & the glorious weather in the morning. 🌞🥵
Being late to the party, tents were erected and motorhomes already parked & levelled for the weekend.
On Saturday morning, Beds’ Sec, Graham ‘Oy, this is a bike rally, not a camping & caravanning weekend’ Seymour had pre-empted Dave’s hunger pangs by ordering 2 full English breakfasts in the Pub for us for 0900 Sat. Oh go on then, I’ll help Claire 👩 finish hers!😋🤪
Following this, Graham gave a short brief to the 10 riders & Roger Elvin led the way from the off.
We took the opportunity to stay on site & much to the amusement of several seated onlookers, have a go at erecting our new to us, fan-dangoed, drive away awning thingy. After no small amount of head scratching, lots of assistance from Dave Andrews of Oxford HOC (thank you!) & more from Mr Google & YouTube via Claire’s phone David Andrews sorted & the 3 hours or so spent sweating 🥵 in the sun 🌞 was time well spent – for the next time we deploy the awning..!
By all accounts, Saturday’s ride out was a success too, with everyone enjoying riding their bikes from ice cream 🍨 stop to ice cream 🍦stop in the sweltering heatwave. 🥵
Saturday evening was a BBQ with fresh salad, french bread & gateau supplied by Beds HOC, followed by more socialising and rehydrating in & around the marquee.
Sunday morning was a repeat of the previous day’s ride out brief – albeit with a later start & a shorter route. Roger E once again kindly lead the way. One or two individuals (including us) tried to depart before the full heat of the day arrived, so packed up & said their goodbyes for now.
As usual, It’s been a great couple of days catching up with old friends & meeting a few new ones.
Despite deciding not to bring our bikes for this rally, we thoroughly enjoyed Beds’ HOC’s hospitality & briefly relaxing in sunny 🌞 Bedfordshire.
It’s safe to say that we’re already looking forward to the next rally. Standby Solent then East Mids…! 🏍️🤓
By Dave Jolly
Kind regards
Andrew young , Assistant Secretary Wiltshire Branch
