| "...and turn up they did. When this writer arrived at Greenhills McChunder's, at around 9am, not only was BP Bob's 1947 Model 18 (now 1950 Big 4 - it's complicated, best that the owner explains :-) parked up, but it had been joined by a sight for sore eyes - new member Pete's 500T, complete with large tankbag and an even bigger swag on the back! So the 'T' stands for touring.....
Lindsay's '76 Bonnie made my '75 MkIII feel a little more dignified at being such a late model, that is until we were joined by Reddo on his '68 Plumstead Fastback. Add to that Treasurer Col's '74 Roadster, ridden by son Brian and you've got a real live Gresford Rally on your hands.
Off we went up the New England, through a couple of roundabouts and out into the Valley proper. Proper it was too, belting along on Blighty's finest in relatively Blighty weather - just a light drizzle, thank you very much Sir!
Pretty soon, we'd left the highway for a splendid backroad ramble, reminiscent of decades past, through small localities such as Luskintyre, Stanhope, Dalwood and Glendonbrook. OK, so some of these rally reports exude a hint of nostalgia, or downright time-travel, but what does one expect whilst following (reads: trying to keep up with) a late 1940's sidewhacker through winding country roads, surrounded by greenery, and followed by another single and more pushrod twins?? What a blast! The old Belstaffs weren't holding up too badly, either. Same can't be said for the boots, but a couple of shopping bags around the socks were performing effortlessly, and keeping things dry.
Maybe 'light drizzle' is understating matters a shade, 'cause there were sheets of heavier 'drizzle' in evidence, as we drew ever closer to the HVNOC Mecca that is East Gresford. In fact, the lead rider opted to ignore the turnoff to Singleton, for obvious reasons. It's always been the spot to camp up and await Sinny/Baffo enthusiasts, which didn't seem overly likely, given the foul weather at play. Even so, were someone to arrive later, they'd certainly know where to find us! In fact, we'd landed in Gresford earlier than ever before - i.e. in the 14 Lostock/Gresfords attended, this rider has never seen the servo open! Good opportunity to fuel up, to avoid having to think about it on Sunday morning - HiRider tanks will do that to you.
Once the big 10 litre tank was brimming once more, it was down to 'da East side - mmm, no one at the pub - down to the campground - mmm, no tyre marks. A quick look around the hills reveals a number of dark (some might say Shady) figures lurking around in the Showground amenities complex. A quick cross-country couple of hundred yards/metres and we're all parked up and ready to relax. A short walk to the pub ends in the realisation that we're all a bit w'tter than at first suspected. A lot of squelching and struggling out of wet clothes follows and a bit of relaxing in front of the big screen, which happened to feature motorcyclists and motorists biting off more than they could collectively or individually chew, so to speak.
Pretty soon most of the club is in there, so we scoff down a massive lunch and head down to set up the facilities - big fridge esky, stereo, chairs, lights, camera - action!
Bikes kept arriving, including Dave on another MkIII, followed by Reddo Jnr on a Fireblade - the only post 1976 machine! Kirsten caged it, being VERY pregnant, and still enjoyed herself. Funnily enough, as none of the Ladies rode this year, 'Queen of the Rally' was drawn out of a hat - and guess who won it? Congratulations Sweetie! Lindsay got 'Hard Luck' (for riding a Bonnie) Pete got 'Oldest Combined Rider/Machine' (to his dismay:-) with Longest Distance going to Bob, and ' King of the Rally' - well, modesty prevents me... :-)
Twenty participants in total socialised, danced, ate, drank and generally celebrated everything Norton! Not bad for a soggy weekend in the hills. Prez John and Bride Josephine did a superb job of food, supplies, infrastucture and everything else that's always made this Rally one of the best. Reddo modified and brought along several trophies, donated by the one and only Des. Plenty of photos were snapped off, as the evening pleasantries continued to the roar of heavy rain and the pumping sounds of Xavier Rudd, Beatles, Paul Mac, Creedence, Steve Gibbons, Died Pretty, Rolling Stones, Deep Purple, R.L.Burnside and more.
The next morning, breakfast was cooked and cuppas served, to the soft, bluesy sounds of the Black Keys, before a couple of group shots were taken on Bob's camera, and the gear was packed away. The weather was still - er -soggy, but who'd be dead for quids?? Excellent ride home, at first in a pack, then branching off to each's separate corners of the Hunner. We two regrouped at Raymond Terrace maccas, and reflected on: (1) how lucky we are to belong to HVNOC, (2) How lucky we are to live in the Hunner and mainly (3) how, many years ago, if someone would have told us we'd be at R.Terrace maccas at the END of a rally, i.e. close to home - we'd never have believed them!
Hallelujia HVNOC!"
Sweeties
|
