National Rally 2008 Update

Only 14 weeks until the National Rally at Stirling so I thought I’d better give everyone an update on progress. Firstly the NOC have let us down by not putting the flyer in the latest Roadholder so we may struggle to anticipate numbers for the Rally, T shirt demand & sizes. Despite me sending the flyer to the magazine distributor and almost the whole committee they managed to miss including it. It got there in time because some of it was reprinted by Frank Westworth in Roadholder, we will cope though despite this drop off. Jem Nicolls raised it for us at the AGM recently and I had a flurry of E mails from the committee absolving themselves of any blame. The rally will I’m sure be a great success despite these issues. I’ve applied for revenue sharing status with the club as there is now more of a risk of potentially losing money (although I’m sure that’ll not happen) This means if the Rally loses money (unlikely ) then the NOC will foot the bill. If we make a profit (likely) then we have a 60/40% sharing arrangement.

Getting on with what’s organised, the site is booked as are the caterers we need a site visit to meet with the Rugby club & caterer on site next month (suggest the end of May) I’ve booked Alan Seggie’s band for the Saturday night (almost the same line up as Blair Atholl in 98 hopefully) and a disco for the Saturday and Sunday night (Trog the guy who runs it has a Commando!) The badges are here in the safe custody of George and the T shirt design is partially finished and looking good. T shirts will be ordered at the end of this month. What we still need to do is finalise the runs & who is leading them & what we are doing about trophies. If I’ve forgotten anything let me know.

Finally about the AGM, there was a proposal to give every member a free calendar next year (the clubs 50^th birthday) as the club at the moment seems to have a surplus of funds but this was voted down by some miserable bast*rds !

MVD Rebuild

I’m very glad to report that the Commando rebuild is almost there, just the ancillaries to put back on and hopefully it’ll be going again this weekend I have to thank Alex for his help and the use of his excellent facilities, his garage resembles a Machine Mart catalogue!. Looking forward to getting the old bus back on the road again. Although I’ve no shortage of Nortons to use this is my favorite, next month I’ll have had it for 26 years which is long enough to get to know a bike. It’s been to France, Holland, Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Denmark. Norway and the Isle of Man so its seen a bit of Europe! Its even been raced in a moment of madness in 85 when I blew the engine on my P&M Suzuki the Commando was pressed into service for the Scottish championship round held at Beveridge park in Kirkcaldy. Unfortunately a very late night in the pub the evening before and my head not being totally cleared led to a spectacular crash in the 3^rd practice session which put me out for the rest of the day. Within a week it was straightened and back to being used as my daily transport. Looking forward to at least another 26 years good service from it.

Blair Atholl

Following the very wintry Easter weekend we decided to get our camping fix along with some friends at Blair Atholl scene of the 98 International

(Thanks Kate for the organizing bit ) Bob & Kate had luckily pre booked the campsite and had been the subject of mild interrogation when they called, this was without admitting they were on motorcycles. Probably just as well we had booked as the staff didn't look so happy at the group of motorcyclists that turned up!. Definitely a bit of bad attitude and not a good advert for Scottish hospitality. Once we got the tents up and the staff realised we probably weren’t going to bite the heads of chickens or Rape old ladies they seemed to mellow a bit. Ian done his bit for good relations by leaving the birds some breakfast during the night (throwing up!)

Applecross

Well I'd put it off because of the bad weather, should have made the trip up to Applecross before now but it keeps bloody snowing, two weeks ago I heard it on Radio 2's traffic report that the Bealach na Ba was closed due to snow. After a brief respite in the weather it turned wintry again last week. I made up my mind I was going no matter what. Saturday dawned a bit dark and gloomy with the temperature definitely not spring like. We set off up the A9, predictable gloom at Dalwhinnie and very cold then as we made our way west across the Laggan road the sun came out, the roads dried and all was well. We stopped at the five sisters "services" only to find the cafe closed, gloomily a sign in the window said "Shut till further notice" this used to be a favorite stopping place for most on the way up to Applecross and for breakfast on return. Just round the corner we went into the Jacobite restaurant, it looked deserted and we were possibly the first customers of the day. Speaking to the owner he admitted it had been a "desperate" start to the season. I had a conversation around what was happening in the highlands, the whole of the highlands depends on Tourism as the number one wealth creator and from what I could see there weren't many going around. Perhaps it was the early Easter this year or the cold snap but the roads appeared deserted, good for motorcycling but not so good for the local economy. The locals are in the main a "ageing" population the kids having to seek employment further a field as they can't afford housing locally on local wages due to most of the housing being bought as holiday homes. The heart is being ripped out of the Highlands it would appear, a modern day Highland clearances. Petrol prices also no doubt contributing to the quietness of the roads with a fill up of petrol costing £1.12 per litre and diesel at £1.22. The strong Euro should in theory encourage tourists but the high cost of getting to Scotland from Europe and then the high fuel prices may work against us. Onwards and a great run by Lochcarron and a stop at the top of the Bealach, evidence in parts at the side of the road of the recent heavy snowfall. Arriving at the campsite we found the office / Bar closed which was disappointing, the site appears to be working on a part time basis with an "honesty box" in situ to leave your fee if there's no one around, possibly another example of the downturn in trade. The site was quiet with only one other tent 0n site and only a couple of tourers. The toilets were clean so obviously day to day maintenance is being carried out but I can't help thinking that without a welcome at the site or someone on site at least during the day then attendance will suffer. Off to the Applecross Inn and at least the magic that is Applecross still works here with the pub looking quite busy. Far too much alcohol and then a sound sleep. Tent packed and off into the gloom, flurry of snow at the top of the Bealach and then heavy rain on the way down, breakfast at the Waterside cafe in Loch Carron (we were the only ones in) and then a great run on dry roads until half way across the Laggan road when it started to rain heavily, as we approached Dalwhinnie it turned to sleet and snow so a stop to thaw out and drink tea was called for. I'm beginning to quite like the hotel now, after the old tearooms shut down and the owner transferred the business to the hotel I didn't think it was that good but the staff have worked hard to put a spin on the place and I quite like it. Back into the sleet and we were rewarded with a spell of driving snow until Calvine, not good and not clever, chilled to the bone and despite the weather brightening up again near Perth I never got warm again until after I'd spent 20 minutes in a hot shower.Fiona was convinced she had a mild touch of Hypothermia! Applecross duck broken for this year, now all we need is another 15 degrees on the thermometer!

The Small Print

The views and opinions contained within this publication are not necessarily those of the NOC or of the branch but are probably mine as I wrote it.

No one accepts any responsibility for anything, if you have a good time don't say I didn't warn you.

Gino Rondelli

April 2008