South Wales Rally report from HOWL 17-19th May
Last year when we were booking our HOWL Branch holiday we saw that South Wales Branch were having a rally—so we thought we would combine our branch holiday with their rally.
We duly booked a house for 11 branch members in the seaside town of Aberaeron for the week before the rally. Jon & Charles and I also booked accommodation near the rally site as our carrying capacity wouldn’t stretch to camping stuff as well as holiday luggage.
We had a fantastic time in Aberaeron—I can highly recommend Magnolia Cottage in Aberaeron. Plenty of space for all and good level parking for 9 bikes and close to pubs and shops. A report on the holiday will be coming along shortly.
Meanwhile back to the rally at the Ancient Briton … sadly Charles couldn’t make it so Steve Hill took his place and together with Dan Jon & I arrived Friday and found the marquee up and the water boiler on with trays of cakes & biscuits too. We sat and had a chat and then Steve Jon & I went off to check in to our accommodation—just a short walk from the rally site. However, it was not to be (a long story) We ended up at a pub about 7 miles away checked in and then went back to the rally to meet up with everyone and have a pint and some food. I must say that the food at the Ancient Briton is amazing, and we all ate well and had a good catch up.
The following day we stopped off at the Black Bull for breakfast—very good and great coffee we then went onto the site in time for the rideout. Mike Jeffs lead the run of 15 bikes and John was TEC. It was a well lead and paced run taking in a road across the ranges, the Devils Staircase and across the Brecon Beacons. Mike stopped off every so often to point out various landmarks—a mock village called Cilieni which was built on the ranges to give the army a chance to practise warfare in a mock Eastern European setting. We also saw the most remote chapel in Wales (Soar y Mynydd )and the loneliest phone box!
Lunch was taken at the Owls Nest which is a brilliant little biker café with good food in large quantities and a very friendly owner (Ian)
The drop off system worked very well allowing people to ride at their own pace—but the last drop off proved to be problematic and Dave Andrews took a long route back. These things happen. Thanks to Mike for providing a ladies loo stop too 🙂
That evening the raffle was held and I was lucky enough to win a bottle of red wine. After that it was back to the pub for more chat and food & jollity.
Sunday came too soon and when Steve, Jon and I went to ride away from our hotel we found that Steve’s Blackbird had a flat battery. Jon & Steve duly ran up and down the road to bump start it and then had to repeat the procedure after he had filled up with petrol. It became apparent that it might be more than just a flat battery as it did not seem to be charging. However, we made it back to the rally site and having taken down the marquee etc Murray gave a farewell address and presented Andy Young with a t shirt to celebrate his snoring and Marcus chose the ‘most unusual bike’ which he judged to be Graham Browns wee tartan saddled monkey bike. A good amount of money was raised for charity too.All in all a very well organised and enjoyable rally with great hosts. I would like to thank everyone who helped Murray with the organisation & running of the event and the great rideout (the yellow Peril and I enjoyed the twisties but not so much the plentiful gravel!) Great job guys (and Jane) and let’s hope you get even more folk coming along next year.
PS– Steve’s bike got relayed home in the end, and he didn’t get in until 4.25am
Jude Browne.
