VRA (UK)
Northern
Breighton Ferry July 2011
We had all been looking forward to this weekend for ages. Acid and Kaz were having their handfasting and we were all glad we were going to attend. Sadly Andy’s Mum passed away and the handfasting was postponed. Acid asked that we all carried on and had the rally anyway and have a drink or ten to his Mum….
We set off on Friday morning in the dry having decided a route avoiding the dreaded motorways. We got as far as Settle only to be diverted off through Giggleswick due to the road being closed because of an accident. We weren’t too bothered as it’s a nice enough route through Giggleswick and Settle. Back onto the A65 and our planned route. All went smoothly till we got to Skipton. Then there were signs telling us that the road we intended to take was closed (bugger)!!! So off we went through Ilkley and Otley normally bad, but due to all the extra traffic from the A59, horrendous. Once through there the rest off the trip went very smoothly and we managed to get to Breighton without anymore problems. Arriving at about three we thought we might be the first but there were already a few eager campers there. Si and Lisa with their mate Ian and Graham and Jill were already setting up camp so we parked up with them. More happy campers arrived throughout the afternoon and so began another drunken fabulous weekend. The bar was set up and a few shots consumed before we decided we’d better get some food. Good basic pub food, nothing quite like it for soaking up the alcohol!! Evening entertainment was supplied by Paddi, Sean and Stretch, and DJ Phil. Having consumed even more copious amounts of shots and Jeiger bombs we fell into bed.
Saturday dawned with clear blue skies and sunshine. Wow second day and we were all still dry. Except Si who managed to put his waistcoat in the dogs water on the way to bed on Friday night!! Luckily Lisa was with him and so got it sorted for him in the morning. A rideout was planned for the Saturday to Bridlington and Scarborough. A few of us decided that we would give it a miss and stayed behind to chill and recover. Gary, Nicole, Tom and me went for a nice little walk along the river and into the woods. Also we had the entertainment of all the planes and wing walkers going up from Breighton airfield. Lunchtime saw Tom and me taking a short ride into Bubwith where we found a wonderful little Deli called the Jug and Bottle. We could have spent a fortune but settled for a sandwich and sausage roll which we took back and ate in the sunshine at the tent. Then began the slow basting in aniseed, berries, cream and whiskey!!! Also musical chairs to try and get some shade. The afternoon was spent in serious debate about the merits of M&S knickers and double cotton gussets and camel toe…. By the time evening came there were a few sunburnt folk, me included. Paddi and Janet and helpers cooked us a lovely BBQ and then about 9 we put on our ‘posh frocks’ and went into the pub to listen to the band and consume a few beverages. A few compromising pictures later we retired to Hilts Manor for a brew and chat.
Sunday morning we woke up to more sunshine, could it possibly happen that we would get home in the dry as well? We packed up slowly and said farewell to everyone setting off about 11. Bongo left just behind us which was a blessing as he picked up Toms tool roll and tools off the road when they went flying off the back of the bike!!! The rest of the journey home via York, Thirsk, Masham, Leyburn, Hawes and Kirkby Lonsdale went without any problems and we arrived home safe and dry. Thanks to everyone who made it another cracking weekend. Special mention for Janet who earned her handle ‘ Bubbles’ by downing a shot of a lovely green liqueur called Fairy Liquid!!!!
Tombrider