Here we are again 2 weeks holiday and what better way of spending it than riding the chief to Tony Leene’s super rally and then on to zedam for the international Rally.
With the chief in the van and Lorraine’s bullet on the trailer off we go.  After 3 hours we stop of at Bulford to visit my daughter Kerry. After a good night’s sleep and a good fry up we set off again to our next stop Canterbury the home of Anita and Pete.  Here we were welcomed with a hot mug of tea (no beer yet). Then it was the unloading of the chief and the bullet. The bullet was taken of the trailer and loaded into the van, after a little maintenance and more tea we heard another bike what’s this I thought?  It wasn’t long before we saw the bike and rider it was Martin Bratby, complete with bike and trailer (Moby Dick).  After a hardy tea cooked by Anita’s mum we all went to bed as we had an early start.  At 5am it was time to get up just enough time for a bite to eat and a brew then the call “saddle up” came and we headed towards the tunnel.
Once there we waited for the other four of our group Phil, Joe, Sue and Fred. We were quickly loaded and on our way. On reaching France Phil, Joe, Sue and Fred were nowhere to be seen. They had been put on the next train. We rode as far as the service station to wait for them. On arrival Phil and Fred unloaded their chiefs and it was decided to put Martin’s trailer on top of the now empty bike trailer, we had a long ride ahead of us  and went on from there (as usual in the rain). We had about 260 miles to cover that day. Sue and Joe took the camper and trailer and went on ahead of us.  Lorraine was our back up van.   
A couple of hours into the journey, somewhere in Belgium, Martin coasted onto the hard shoulder of the motorway.  Breakdown number one.  After a short time Paramedic Pete, Phil and Martin had done a few checks they found the battery had been cooked, a new one fitted and off we went.  Arrived at the first camp side around 9.30pm in Holland the owner stayed open for us as we were a little late but the girls had confirmed to the owner that we were on our way.  A very nice site we found the girls and set up the tents, the girls had started drinking before we got there but still managed to cook the tea. Thanks girls. After a few beers we all went to bed
The following morning we packed up paid out camping fees and left for the 50 or so miles to Lemmer.  And no kidding it was wet wet wet. Tony had put on a wall of death show for us. We set up camp as we were going be there for three or four days.
After something to eat and a few beers the place started to fill up, and then came a voice we all knew, John Wright, Jess, Ted and the Daft brothers.
After a good night we all piled into Martin’s tent (Marquee, repair shop, kitchen) as it was pouring with rain, for drinks.  It can seat around twenty especially when you borrow some benches.  The banter was good and the beer flowed.
After a good night’s sleep and a good breakfast it was time for the ride out. We all lined up but no one moved. I walked to the front of the pack only to find Tony’s bike would not start, a flat battery. Along came a Harley and gave him a jump start, we were soon off. After a short ride through the country side we arrived back in Lemmer town centre for cakes and tea (photos included). Then back to tonys for a photo shoot, tea and more beer.
What I forgot to mention was on arrival at Tonys one of the girls mentioned that they had left her passport at the reception of the last campsite may I add this campsite was just outside the red light area of Amsterdam. Did she really want to get her passport back or did she want a sneak peek at the red light area?
As we were leaving on Monday to start the journey to Zeddam via a campsite in Germany,  Jo and Sue left for the first campsite to get the passport.  On arrival at the second campsite we found them to be very helpful. In fact as we found out on Monday night the kitchen was closed, but they said if we wanted fricadella and chips (sausage and chips) they would feed us. What a feast. Photos included. We had large beers and free wine.

While we were there it was time to have a look at Lorraine’s bullet as it kept breaking down.  I removed the carb and left it on the jerry can beside the van as I had to cook the breakfast, I also forgot to mention that we picked up Nobby, Tim and Sue on the ride from Tonys.  After Phil had eaten his breakfast he picked up the carb and began to find the fault.  See photos.  By the time I had finished cooking the breakfast the bike was back in one piece and ready for a test ride with Phil as pillion and me as rider we set off. After sixteen miles without problems we gave it back to Lorraine who then went out with the rest of the group and put a hundred miles on the clock. Jess and his group arrived for one night at this campsite.
Thanks again Phil

After three days of riding round the beautiful countryside, in the sunshine, eating cakes and ice cream it was time to leave for Zeddam.
We were lucky with the weather as the night before we arrived at Zeddam there was an almighty down pour (we had very little rain while we were in Germany) steel sheets were laid down at the entrance so that we wouldn’t get bogged down. It wasn’t long before we were joined by other members of the club led in by Sybil and Mike & Phil (cock a little leg). The company was first class and a good time was had by all.  The food and entertainment were excellent.
We had fun on the ride outs but like all good things is has to come to an end.  Another early start and an eight hour trip to France, boy was the last hour hot. As we pulled up at immigration my bike died.  Pete came to the rescue once again the second Harley to start an Indian battery fault. We got to the train and stalled my bike so had to push it onto the train, there was also a strong smell of petrol.  On investigation I saw petrol leaking out from underneath the tank.  After leaving the train we pulled into a lay-by and drained the tank of fuel to be on the safe side, but less than a mile down the road I rolled to a halt, Oops ran out of petrol. Drained some fuel from the Harley and off we went again, first stop Tesco’s for fuel. Then on to Pete’s, where the girls were waiting with a mug of tea. After loading the bikes we said our goodbyes although we didn’t want to leave as we had such a good time. But we had to get back as it was time to go back to the work house
Thanks to everyone for such a good time. Wonder who will get the wankers/wankeress trophy, there are a number of contenders!!!
See you all soon

The editor needs to make a few additions here.

1. Breakdown number three and four were the breakdown van. The last one being the reason we got to our campsite two hours later than expected.
2. Breakdown number five was Pete touching the passenger side mirror of the van and it promptly falling off. Lorraine was not amused as driving on the wrong side of the road, this was important. Paramedic Pete, assisted by Phil had to repair this before leaving the campsite the next morning. We were all wary of touchng the van after this.
3. Breakdown number six was the repair made in breakdown number three leaving Lorraine stuck in the middle of a roudabout, with a lorry behind her and no one able to pass. By the time we realised, she was being pushed off the road by other Dutch motorists.
4. Su & Jo not only left there passport at the first campsite, they also went to the wrong campsite first, travelling about 60 miles further than they needed to go and catching Amsterdam in rush hour in the process. No wonder they hit the wine before the bikes arrived.
5. Martin B, rear ends the camera man using his front mudgard, not a good idea the other guy was on a BMW.
6. The boys discovered the joys of trick nail varnish and showed the Dutch boys what they were missing out on. We ended up with Dutch guys and kids queing to join our club and have their nails done!
   

Lorraine & Bill Herbert