Some selected pictures from the Carisbrooke Castle visit.
Strangely, there were few Bexley members who shared my enthusiasm to attend the 4th Beer Pig rally, despite front page billing by Graham on the September issue of "Kickstart" and a half page flier inside! As it was being run by the Wight Riders MCC and it was at the Smallbrook stadium site, I reckoned there was the chance of a good rally.
When I arrived on site on Friday, hardy stalwarts Phil Loom and Dave Jackson were already on site with tents pitched, perfect timing, as my tent was then put up in no time and off to the bar.
Chicken curry and chips may not be everyone's gourmet meal but three plates were finished off in no time by us three and a fourth plate by Dave Clarke when he arrived shortly afterwards. Why the rally is called the "Beer Pig", I never found out but Phil was keen on the draught Hobgoblin while Dave Clarke went for the always-reliable Newcastle Brown.
Dave Jackson in his role as Webmaster adds: posted up at the check-in tent was a piece of paper enscribed with a joke involving three pigs on an evening out, one of whom does nothing but drink beer. This may be the inspiration for the name of the rally - I'll spare you the whole joke!
Friday night bands are often better than Saturday nights but not on this occasion; the band were billed as the Shanklin Freak Show and were promoted by Nick Painless (those who went to the IOW British and Classic rally will remember him as the DJ with most parts of his face pierced by rings and studs).
Any road up, the Shanklin Freak Show lived up to their name with a number of wierd grunge numbers that no-one had heard of and only Nick Painless and the lead singer danced to. Thankfully when it had all stopped, Nick P played some good stuff in his DJ role. After 12:30 and I drifted off to my tent, it was a clear sky, very cold and I was glad that I had brought two sleeping bags to keep me warm.
Dave Jackson in his role as Webmaster adds: those of us who did not have the luggage capacity of a side-car had to make do with just the one sleeping bag and despite wearing jeans and two sweatshirts I had not one but two very cold nights!
Saturday arrived and, with frost on the bikes, it was clear that some folks had been cold overnight. Over a £4 full English breakfast my slowly de-frosting club mates decided on a ride-out which would include a visit to Carisbrooke castle, the Military Road and the Dairyman's Daughter for a meal. All went according to plan, the highlights being watching a donkey in the treadmill at Carisbrooke castle and a blast down the Military Road with the two Daves doing most of the blasting and Phil and I following at more civilised speeds.
Saturday night entertainment was a great improvement on Friday with local band "Riptide" starting late after the Rugby World Cup final match had finished. Riptide played a wide range of stuff from Queens of the Stone age to Suzi Quattro, good stuff.
Sunday was time for me and Dave Jackson to get our leather Beer Pig patches sewn on by a nice lady who was only charging £1.00 per patch. We left at 11:00, got straight on a ferry and even us slow ones were back at the Pied Bull by 2:00 p.m. Where all the traffic had gone I couldn't say but, what a good rally, nice people, good food and good fun. Perhaps a few more club members next year?
Dave Jackson in his role as Webmaster adds: perhaps I'll remember the thermals next year.