Picture this, a large house built on reclaimed land, near a lake, and you think you’re seeing things because there is definitely a list to one side.  We arrived in the afternoon before any alcohol had been consumed, so it must be the foundations!

This was a new venue for Claude and Rollie’s end of August Indian meeting, quite respectable facilities for either camping or dormitory accommodation, as long as you nailed your bed to the floor!

Friday saw the arrival of many Indians from near and far,  UK visitors were well represented as well as Dutch Flemish and French riders. We went on a small group ride out in the afternoon, which confirmed my suspicions Belgium is relatively flat, and has nice Cafes.

Evening time was enjoyed by a simple but good meal of spaghetti bolognese and the bar was opened.  Claude was working tirelessly to keep us fed.  The next day he was again in the kitchen serving breakfasts with Rollie supervising.  We had a pleasant run to a canal side pub with a lunch, and then toured round local roads taking in the typical scenery for the locale.  The evening was a BBQ and too much food!

Sunday the time for farewells and Bill Herbert was quartermaster in charge of breakfast, last to bed and first up, well done Bill.

Always nice to see new places, different bikes, and sample new cuisine, and Berlare is a short distance from the channel ports, put it in your diary for next year, you won't regret it!  Claude and Rollie deserve our support for all their hard work.

We travelled from Dover Dunkirk solely because with a trailer it is the best value crossing.  However a few weeks later I went to the Welsh rally on my 101 Sout and felt a much greater sense of achievement covering almost 500 miles without opening the toolbox!

Tim Berry