The Gallybagger rally is organised by the Wightriders MCC and has been held at the Atherfield Holiday Camp for the last few years, if you book early you can even get a chalet to sleep in. Sadly we didn't book early and had to make do with tents, fortunately I had splashed out £20.00 on a new tent over the winter period and so was able to survive the gale force winds on Friday and Saturday The rally is noted for being very friendly and having lots of live music. The Atherfield Holiday Camp is a couple of miles from the Wight Mouse pub on the Military Road and, as you can imagine, the sound of bikes being blasted flat out along the Military road was music to the ears.
Friday evening entertainment was provided by "Dirty Habit" a local band playing rock covers, good stuff including some "Yes" stuff as well, very popular. Wightrider Bexley liaison officer Charlie wanted to know why more Bexley members hadn't made the rally... we said it had been in Kickstart, maybe next year?
Any road up, next day Shelley and I explored the campsite and were told tales of tents being blown away by Mark, a member of the Waifs & Strays MCC, whom we got talking to while trying to avoid being blown off a cliff at the edge of the campsite.
We got a most acceptable meal from one of the three food vans on site before wandering back to the marquee/bar for the Saturday night's entertainment provided by local band "Lemon Wedge" and mainland band "The Peartree Bridge Family".
Lemon Wedge were a solid rock cover group, Deep Purple, AC/DC etc,. Local dance support was provided by Lemon Wedgies in matching T-shirts, also dancing were four northern guys dressed as International Rescue Puppets, weird... The Peartree Bridge Family was OK, mostly glam rock stuff but very loud, didn't stay till the end, too tired.
Next day, Sunday, up with the very sleepy lark about 12:00, went for a ride in search of the elusive red squirrel, they don't have any grey squirrels on the Isle of Wight and I've never seen a red squirrel. Well, despite seeing numerous road signs saying look out for squirrels and tramping over hill and dale with Shelley, I still haven't seen a red squirrel.
Back to Atherfield, Sunday night entertainment was provided by "Krush", another local rock cover band and "Aftershock" another local rock cover band. Krush were good, Aftershock better, they varied the usual rock standards with UFO stuff, "Doctor Doctor" etc, Nickleback, and Status Quo (they used to be a Status Quo cover band), best band of the rally.
Monday came too soon, said goodbye to the Wightriders. Steve Duff sends his regards, back to the ferry, M25 and home. The Trident behaved itself all weekend, I treated it to an oil and filter change when I got home.