Easter Drivel

Well that’s the Easter holidays over, always a pivotal part of the year. Hopefully Winter behind us and Summer to look forward to. I was up in Applecross (again) last weekend to finish the organisation for the camping weekend and of course to relax in one of the worlds now worst kept secrets. I had a good run up on Friday (on the Guzzi) and it was dry most of the way although at the top of the Bealach it was misty , cold and sleet was blowing through. Sunday we looked at the coast road for the proposed Saturday run in June, looking good and with plenty of photo stops the run should take no more than 2 hours to Lochcarron, mileage is only around 35 miles but the scenery deserves to be appreciated. I propose we stop at the waterside tea room in Lochcarron for lunch, it’s a nice spot to chill out at the side of the loch and then back over the Bealach will take no more than 45 minutes (depending on photo stops!!) My run home on Sunday was one of the few completely dry runs I’ve had home and only spoiled by the ridiculous traffic on the A9.

It was in fact a feature of the weekend and one to watch out for this year, the whole of Scotland seems to be full of tourists just now. Overseas tourists lured by the weak pound and English tourists avoiding Europe for the same reason. The big problem is the scenery, you can’t blame the tourists for suddenly stopping to take pictures in strange places or driving at 30mph to admire their surroundings but it doesn’t half make life difficult for the other road users. Just a warning, be especially vigilant this year out there. There also seems to be a higher than normal amount of overseas visitors in hire cars so UK plates isn’t a guarantee that people know the rules of the road (not that 70% of UK drivers know them anyway)

There also seemed to be a higher than usual number of power rangers intent on using our roads as racetracks which also poses a problem. Having said all that away from the main artery’s the roads still remain remarkably traffic free and great fun.

The Norton (MVD) is being run in now and appears to be responding well to its engine rebuild, it is still the bike that brings the biggest grin to my face when I ride it (well at least when its not misbehaving!) In an incident not dissimilar to the one that befell Bouke last year following the National rally, a pheasant tried a suicide mission into MVD, luckily it hit me on the clutch side and my hand wrapped round the handlebar punched it at about 50mph, bloody sore for me. I thought I’d broken my finger but thankfully the pheasant came of worse. Blood and guts went one way and shite the other, all over me and the bike. Ah well shites easier to get off than blood so I guess I was lucky.

Take it easy out there!

Events

George has been busy setting out some events to attend this year;

Some ideas of rallies to attend within reasonable distance anyone interested please get in touch with George, george1045@hotmail.co.uk or tel 07742852057 so numbers can be sent and places booked.

1st to 4th May, Nottingham branch, Linton-on-Ouse
16th 17th May, Yorkshire branch, Dent
5th 7th June, Northumbria branch, Wooler
26th 28th June, Our lot, Applecross. A must attend !!!!!!!!! (See details later)
11th 12th July, Braemar being organised by a Norton owner.
8th 9th August, Preston branch, Tarleton.
Book these ones through me and I will let the branches know the numbers.

Also the Norton National, International, and Golden Jubilee at Donnington. These are all to be booked by individual see Roadholder.

Applecross details

If camping it’s adviseable to pre book with the camp site on +44 (0) 1520 744 268 or e-mail: enquiries@applecross-campsite.co.uk

10% discount will be given as long as you let them know you are with the Norton Rally, normal rates are £6.50 per person per night. Saturday a proposed meander around the coast road which is quite spectacular in itself with a stop for lunch then a run back over the Bealach Saturday evening we have arranged for a Marquee to be erected across the road from the pub and we will be having a band to help dance the night away. The bar will shut at 12pm though so if you need any more make sure you have a stash beforehand. For those staying over on the Sunday there are many places to visit all on normally quiet and picturesque roads.

A list of B&B’s was in last months Newsletter.

Other stuff

Heid o the Glen Rally

The Classic club are organising in conjunction with Norrie Milton the Heid o the Glen Rally on May 22 – 25 to which the NOC are invited, this will be a combined sidecar and Classic bike rally to be held at Glen Clova. Details from Norrie Milton on norman.milton@tesco.net .

The week after Applecross is the National Rally at Bristol (not sure if I’ll make that one) Then in July the International in Austria. Alex & I are leaving on the Tuesday 21^st of July from Newcastle and returning on the 28^th from Ijmuiden taking in the second weekend of the Rally.

And As always don’t forget the Begonia Rally in Flanders Belgium , always worth a visit on August 28^th -31^st August (http://users.telenet.be/noc-fb/)

And I had to share this with you, the sunset over Raasay taken from the Applecross Inn last Sunday night

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 2009