VRA (UK)
Northern
South Shropshire Weekend
26-
Northern VRA (Hardcore Division)
Well if you’re on here you’ll know who’s who, but just in case, from left to right;
Tom, Pauline, Grandad, Panther, Sue, Skulls, Chops, Swalla, Nicole, Eddie in front( we just call him Eddie), Hilts, Marie at the back(Cheers Marie, best ride out I’ve ever been on, probably because I came back pissed)! Billy Whizz, The big fella’s TC, Ann, Stubbo,(nice to finally meet you mate), Mark and Malteeza,I do hope I’ve spelt that right, honest.
Anyway, I think I’ll start at the beginning…………..
Friday dawned with not a touch of blue in the sky up North! And so, with some serious doubts I loaded up my trusty steed, the Mitsubishi nineteen hundred ,with my favourite camping accessories, tent, sleeping bag and booze and went to pick up my old damaged friend with a pot on, Bones. Sorry, Skulls.
After filling up at Sainsbury’s we were off, Skulls had the map, we went West on the M62, south down the M6, west on the M56, south on the A494, through Mold, Ruthin and Bala, and it was then that I realized Skulls had been asleep for the last 3 hours!
We went back through Bala and Ruthin and finally got onto the right road. We arrived at the campsite just after it stopped raining!
On arrival, we were met by Swalla and Mark, (everyone else was in the pub), they gave me a hand to put up the tent, Cheers Guys. While I put up the camp beds they sat and took the piss out of me! Imagine that.
When we were organized we went to the pub to meet the crew. It’s always good to see your mates again on a run. We always have something to talk about, especially when the beers flowing, the only thing is I can never remember what we did talk about.
After a spell in the pub we all headed back to the site for a bit of a feed, sandwiches, naan bread and meatball curry, swilled down with lots more beer! We sat there for hours, outside Panther and Sue’s camper under a large Gazebo until we finally went to bed pissed. A great night was had by all!
Saturday morning and the sun was cracking the flags, after breakfast the Saturday ride out started. We went to Ironbridge via Much Wenlock, some cracking villages and countryside made even more beautiful by the glorious sunshine. We had a wander around the town and a beer or two, some had ice cream and/or world famous pies from the pasty shop next to the pub.
Some of the gang heading for the pasty shop
After leaving Ironbridge we headed for Ludlow On arrival we all had a wander around the market where we bought some BBQ food for tea (the venison was a bit deer though), and then went for another drink!
Ludlow is a lovely town with a castle and cannon etc, If you’re ever in the area its well worth a visit.
After a pleasant ride back we all got sat once again around Phil and Sue’s Camper where we met Gary and Rainie who arrived while we were out, Gromit and Heater turned up, and after a good tea and yet more drink we all had a singalong, we even practiced the Northern VRA Yippie Ai Ey song. A great night was had by all! We were even visited by some very strange girls.
I can taste that rug already!
Anyway, at four O’clock the drunken stragglers disappeared and once again peace descended on the sleepy village of Culmington……but not for long, the following morning we were all up early for breakfast, tea and toast, packed up, cleaned up, said our goodbyes and headed for the transport café.
Thanks to TC for organizing such a successful camp out, to Phil and Sue for providing great facilities and shelter from the heat and heat when it dropped cold, to all of you for making it so enjoyable, its great to spend time with such great people and I for one can’t wait for the next one.
He’ll always be Bones to me!
See you next time.
Paddi