Good Friday…

I couldn’t sleep. I was like a kid at Christmas waiting to go on our first rally of the year. Donna took the boys to Clive and I got the last few things done. Dave Porter rang to tell us that they were running a little bit late so would meet us at the truck stop 20 mins later than arranged. We got there a little after 10… They turned up at about 11.30 and they were in the car! When Dave came in I said “Dave you twat!” He even had the cheek to moan about how cold it was. We left with a small party of riders, I think about 10 of us, it didn’t take long for us all to split up, so we had a few regrouping sessions. We pulled into a petrol station at Stratford St Andrew to find out that one of the lads had been blown off his scooter. Luckily he only had very minor injuries and the scoot was still rideable. There were quite a few times when I shouted into my visor “Fuckin ell” when the gusts caught me. Four and a half hours after leaving home we arrived at The Barking Smack. Never again. I don’t do scooter clubs because of this and other reasons. Next time sod em all we’re going on our own. Dave and Fi brought our bags to the Smack, we had a couple of pints and thought we’d better take the scooters and park them up for the weekend. As we left the heavens opened. Torrential rain, bouncing off the roads. After two U turns we found the B&B.

All I’ll say was that before going back to the pub some giggling went on…. Anyway we got a taxi back to the pub and met up with Mr & Mrs Bugeye, drank far too much went out for chips and weren’t seen again till next morning. In bed before 10pm on a scooter rally… PARTY ANIMALS…

Saturday…

I got up around 6.30ish after tossing and turning again and went out to take a few photos. Blimey days it was cold n windy. I only lasted around 45 mins before giving up and going back to get Donna up for breakfast.

After breakfast we took the scooters down to the proper custom/trade show and parked them outside for the world to see what a beautiful job we made of them… I bought a DVD on Vespa maintenance so when I watch it I can go out and do all the little jobs on our scooters with ease… Yeah whatever. I’ll give it a go.

When we were done with the custom show we set off to find petrol and food. We had a good old feast on fish n chips. We’d eaten in this restaurant before on other visits and this time it was just a good.

We put off drinking till later.. Well an hour later than the day before. Started off in the Smack got bored with the conversation so texted some mates to see where they were and headed off to Ceasars bar for some free entertainment and gassy lager. The Bogeye’s had a little kip at the B&B then came and found us for more merriment in the Smack Eventually Sausage’s band “Ermantrudes Pogo stick” They’re a punk covers band and most in the bar were rockin and wreckin. No broken bones, Donna did get a mashed up toe.
After the gig I let Donna and the others talk me into going over to the VFM do. £6 each entry and £3 for a bottle of water and a coke. To be honest I had loads more fun in the free do over the road. I just felt we paid all that money for nothing. We didn’t want to see the band that was on and were too tired by that point to enjoy it. We’d already paid £4 each for the privalige of looking at a few bikes and browsing round the clothing stalls. Most of the parts for sale were chrome and it just doesn’t go with my ratty bike.

Easter Sunday…

I woke up with a bit of a dodgy tummy I think it was the curry dog I had on the way back to the B&B. I didn’t have the full English I only had tea and toast. We packed up and the snow started!
Soon as we put our helmets on they misted up. Open the visor and you couldn’t see for the snow in your eyes. It was a nightmare ride. Thankfully we only had 55 miles to do unlike some people trekking up to the otherside of the country. We had to keep stopping to de mist. One time I pulled in Donna arrived a few mins later with her visor open and snow over her glasses. How she managed to see I don’t know. We only went anround another mile and found a Little Chef restaurant. Donna gave up at this point and rang her Dad. I didn’t blame her for doing it at all. While we waited for him I decided that it would be easier for us if we only had one scooter to collect when the weather gets better and set off leaving Donna with all the bags and cameras etc. The weather wasn’t quite as bad when I left so I just got my head down and kept going. My hands were frozen when I got to the garage. Donna was only a few mins behind me.

All in all we had a good weekend but maybe next time the weathermen say high winds and snow we might take the car.

Snow, gale force winds and plagues of locusts is what the weather was predicting for today. I got up too early again(I'm like a big kid. I get all excited) and peeked out of the curtains to see the sun shining and the trees as still as a still thing on a still day. Too late, I'd already got my long johns and thermal tshirt on for the ride. Anyone would think I was attempting to reach the North pole by scooter not ride up the A12 to Great Yarmouth.

Can we go now?
Can we go now?
Can we go now?
Can we go now?
Can we go now?

Stop press I just saw a twig move...

This was taken the first time I tried to get to Great Yarmouth scooter rally. It was back in the early 80's. This time I know where I'm going and won't end up on the piss in Spalding after giving up... The weather was awful and it looks like we'll be getting a bit of the same tomorrow. At the beginning of the week the met office were predicting snow and wind for Friday morning. Now it's only gale force winds... I'm expecting the sun to be crackin the flags.
My scooter is getting entered in the rat scooter custom show. A case of lager and a packet of christmas cards are the wonderful prizes on offer. The show is on at 2pm Friday afternoon. I'll have to stay off the demon drink till about 3... Wish me luck!

Oh and happy easter to everyone. If there's any reduced eggs in Tesco on Monday you can have one.


It's no good wasting good beer vouchers on eggs is it.

I wanted in on the new paint job action. It's actually not bad at all for the amount of time we spent on it. I don't think I'll be winning any custom shows though just yet!! Roll on Yarmouth :o)

Isn't she beautiful... Just going to nip out on it now and buy a can of battleship grey to add the finishing touches.

I took a trip to the auctions on Monday... Look at what I bought... A crate full of old film magazines. Guess where they're going to end up... Ebay here I come.

This was Great Yarmouth scooter rally in 2005... We're off again at easter to party like its 1979. I worked overtime last night and am doing it again tonight to turn it all into beer vouchers.


Boy am I looking forward to misbehaving with my Mrs on a rally again.

P.S. I'll be wearing the same clothes this year and have the same silly smile.

When I woke up yesterday and wanted to go and get a cuppa, Andy told me I wasn't allowed to. I had to wait. Then began my 3 course breakfast ... each course accompanied by a very cute cactus, bought by my littlest son :D I received gifts of perfume from each son too.

I was told that I wasn't allowed to do any chores all day (so not much change there then!) George said he would make lunch and dinner!! And he did make dinner. Chicken kievs (made from scratch) and spicy potato wedges (also made from scratch).

So, as the title says ... I am a happy mother :D