Tententreffen 2007
Spring bank holiday in May is always unpredictable, and this one was no different. Packed the bike up Friday morning in beautiful sunshine, open face, shades, waterproofs - the forecast was bad. The southern area had arranged to meet up at Clacket Land services on the M25 and so those who could make it met up and made our way to Dover for the ferry. All went well as we rode down in the sunshine, laughing at the van driver who tried to force his way past us only to be nicked a few miles later! There is some justice in this world after all. All on the ferry for our flat crossing, much to the relief of Sally and all others who don't like the sea. Over through France and into Belgium in more sunshine. We managed to get to the rally site without incident, unusually for me and were met by a surprising but very welcome sight… Nic.
After setting up camp (Andy sell more Kyam tents it's painful watching everyone else struggle after you've put yours up, sorted your gear and changed) it was into the hall for a beer and get ready for the evenings entertainment. Having put up with the longest sound check ever the 'erotic' show could start, only 2 hours late. Well, a bloke and bird making sparks with angle grinders and fire eating isn't what I call erotic, but each to there own. Eventually they stripped, if fake blonds with tit‑jobs is your thing you would have been in heaven. I don't think the bloke was impressed when he stripped and everyone laughed. Don't know about his politics, but he defiantly swung to the left if you know what I mean.
The band finally got going, mixture of old and newish covers that were ok. The female half of the erotic show come back for a second go with some young lad out of the audience who seemed to enjoy himself! The rest of the evening seemed to blur into one as more cheep Belgium beer and Jack was consumed.
Saturday - bit of a moment with euro time (hour forward not back!) saw me miss breakfast and only just in time to get the bus into Bruges. We walk out of site with Pete president of the Welsh Coast, but having looked at the queue we swung off into town. The bus came as we got there and we all jumped on. As the bus arrived at the next stop by the site we waved at the Welsh Coast at the back of the queue when they realised they weren't going to get on!! They took it well.
Bruges, well what can I say - been their, done it, love it! I could go several times a year and not get bored. Did the market, café for lunch, shopping and generally soaking in the atmosphere. Well that's my excuse for falling asleep in the main square! Having been rudely awoken by a brass band, I made my way back to the Café Lefft - our meeting point. All meet up, those who wanted to go back went, the rest of us went to the bottle bar. The only trouble with Bruges is it's full of Brits!, but watching the posh totty getting pissed is always amusing.
Back at the site it was time for more beer - tastes crap after the proper stuff at the bottle bar, and the awards. If you've ever been you will know that they can go on a bit! For some reason there where only about 300 at this year's rally rather than the normal 600, but at least it was over quicker. The prizes this year where a bit more 'tasteful' than some - no more gay bikers! Didn't take a lot of notice until it got to the top two clubs and we hadn't been call, nor had the Welsh Coast. Pete from the Welsh Coast was serenaded by to get the runners‑up trophy to a chorus of 'Sweet chariot' - He took it well!!!! Nic went up to get the trophy for best club turn‑out but was kept up there as we had won best club mileage as well, well 'kilometerage' as it's foreign. Nic and Emma boosting the UK mileage, as well as Potts and the rest from Germany doing the same, nice one.
Sunday, home. Black clouds on the horizon. We set off being joined by Mick, Martin and Dani. Almost got to Calais before it started to rain. Another good crossing on the way back - but received a text from Aly giving me the forecast, not good. All the way back in the rain, lovely.
Thanks to all club members and friends who made it, too many to list, and made it another good rally.
Rich
Southern Rep
main news page
After setting up camp (Andy sell more Kyam tents it's painful watching everyone else struggle after you've put yours up, sorted your gear and changed) it was into the hall for a beer and get ready for the evenings entertainment. Having put up with the longest sound check ever the 'erotic' show could start, only 2 hours late. Well, a bloke and bird making sparks with angle grinders and fire eating isn't what I call erotic, but each to there own. Eventually they stripped, if fake blonds with tit‑jobs is your thing you would have been in heaven. I don't think the bloke was impressed when he stripped and everyone laughed. Don't know about his politics, but he defiantly swung to the left if you know what I mean.
The band finally got going, mixture of old and newish covers that were ok. The female half of the erotic show come back for a second go with some young lad out of the audience who seemed to enjoy himself! The rest of the evening seemed to blur into one as more cheep Belgium beer and Jack was consumed.
Saturday - bit of a moment with euro time (hour forward not back!) saw me miss breakfast and only just in time to get the bus into Bruges. We walk out of site with Pete president of the Welsh Coast, but having looked at the queue we swung off into town. The bus came as we got there and we all jumped on. As the bus arrived at the next stop by the site we waved at the Welsh Coast at the back of the queue when they realised they weren't going to get on!! They took it well.
Bruges, well what can I say - been their, done it, love it! I could go several times a year and not get bored. Did the market, café for lunch, shopping and generally soaking in the atmosphere. Well that's my excuse for falling asleep in the main square! Having been rudely awoken by a brass band, I made my way back to the Café Lefft - our meeting point. All meet up, those who wanted to go back went, the rest of us went to the bottle bar. The only trouble with Bruges is it's full of Brits!, but watching the posh totty getting pissed is always amusing.
Back at the site it was time for more beer - tastes crap after the proper stuff at the bottle bar, and the awards. If you've ever been you will know that they can go on a bit! For some reason there where only about 300 at this year's rally rather than the normal 600, but at least it was over quicker. The prizes this year where a bit more 'tasteful' than some - no more gay bikers! Didn't take a lot of notice until it got to the top two clubs and we hadn't been call, nor had the Welsh Coast. Pete from the Welsh Coast was serenaded by to get the runners‑up trophy to a chorus of 'Sweet chariot' - He took it well!!!! Nic went up to get the trophy for best club turn‑out but was kept up there as we had won best club mileage as well, well 'kilometerage' as it's foreign. Nic and Emma boosting the UK mileage, as well as Potts and the rest from Germany doing the same, nice one.
Sunday, home. Black clouds on the horizon. We set off being joined by Mick, Martin and Dani. Almost got to Calais before it started to rain. Another good crossing on the way back - but received a text from Aly giving me the forecast, not good. All the way back in the rain, lovely.
Thanks to all club members and friends who made it, too many to list, and made it another good rally.
Rich
Southern Rep
main news page