Strawberry Field Rally at Magdalen, Nr Kings Lynn
"Thoughts from the Indian Riders/Indian Owners Joint Summer Rally (Fri 30th May - Sun 1st Jun 2008)"
Another day at "Tenko", but this time it didn't really matter as I'd managed to secure the following day off as holiday and I was going to the Indian Rally at Strawberry Field, just outside Kings Lynn. We'd just had more positive news on Paul's condition from the hospital the day before and I was going to celebrate it by leaving him to watch racing all weekend in peace and quiet. The perfect wife ! LOL. Well it sounds better that way. In reality, he was not quite up to the ride yet which was a shame as the weather forecast had gone from slightly dodgy to looking mighty fine. I had strict instructions to take lots of pictures, so packed extra batteries along with the tent, sleeping bag, airbed and blow up pillows, all the essentials for a good weekend camping.
By the time I left it was about 18:15, slightly cloudy, but warm. I said cherio to the crew (MC and his mates!) and Paul and set off for my first ever 'camping on my tod' experience. I was so excited after another day of skivvying. Following the directions and maps Paul had printed off for me... hmmmm... what other husband would print off directions for his wife to go off camping at a biking rally where he didn't know who'd be there... boy that racing must have been rated!! Anyway, as I was saying.. off down the A12, A14, A134 to Thetford, past Downham Market and on to Magdalen, I soon saw the Indian signs clearly pointing out the rest of the directions. I'd arrived and within a few minutes, had met Sybil who I'd emailed to say I'd like to come and next thing I was saying hi to Indianjohn & Jan who I'd not seen for far too long.
I found a spot to pitch camp but before I started I called home to let the old man know I'd arrived. Then as I started rolling everything out I met Nobby and Pat and their two little poodles, Rocky and Dougie and ended up chatting away while scoffing down the fish and chip supper John had just brought over for me. Yes, fish, the first time I'd had a bit of cod in years, Paul would be impressed when I surprised him next time we went to Aldeburgh to our favourite 'chippy'. I'd been put off by bones years ago, it's funny how things like that sway your eating habits. I digress as usual. Back to camp, I probably took longer to put my little old tent up than the guys with the eighteen foot tipi's but none the less it was done and I picked up my torch and went off to the main marquee to chat with everyone. I met Scott who showed me the bike he'd got for sale that he'd just finished. It looked beautiful and we ended up chatting about Biker Build Off, OCC and just about anything else bike related. A few guys had gone the three mile trek to the pub while the rest of us ended up camped round an open cauldron fire and I had a great evening catching up with everything with John & Jan. About half past eleven I think it was, I happened to look up just as the space station was going over and I wondered if Paul was watching at the same time. Not long after that I was ready for bed, torch in hand, I just slept in everything very well till I woke up about 4:30 feeling cold.
I dozed on and off and eventually got up about 6:30 to a cool misty morning. I couldn't see anyone about, had a wander to the end of the field and just let my mind wander thinking how tranquil everything was and making a few wishes for the future, first being that Paul would be riding with me at the next rally. A quick walk round camp and already breakfast was on the go. I knew there was no rush so I ventured back to my tent and had another 45 minutes doze in the now warming air and woke feeling far more refreshed. As I walked back to the marquee, several were already feasting on the sumptuous breakfast and I joined the queue for a double fried egg sarnie and three cups of tea. I sat chatting to Nobby & Pat and we were joined by Ken Johnson (hot exhaust). I felt totally at home, I'd been made to feel so welcomed, it really was a shame no-one else from the Drifter fraternity had been able to come. After breakfast I did a photo session round camp before going to have a good look at the Indian Tipis's in the end field. One of the guys showed me inside and all the different artefacts he'd hand made to embellish it with, from a peace pipe, to arrows, seats and a wonderful headress which gave me ideas for our tribal bellydancing gear back home. If you get chance to see these guys, you must go and have a good look, it's fascinating. Visit their website at http://nativeamericanroadrunners.co.uk . for more info.
I finished cleaning up my Drifter as best I could without a bucket, just my ever trusty Maguire's wipes, having managed to remove most of the bugs the screen had acquired on the journey up using the early morning dew. Ken came to look over my bike and I chatted with him and Stewart before suddenly hearing lots of the bikes start up and realised they weren't going on the ride. So I rushed around quickly to get ready, forgetting my ever faithful and comfy sheepskin for the saddle.
Next thing we were all queuing at the gate where Pat had the camcorder set up to record everyone as they set off for the ride out to Old Hunstanton. In my haste I'd also left the ride map in the tent, so I made sure I kept someone in sight in front of me, though it did mean I eventually lost sight of some behind. We stopped en route to check Pauline's directions before continuing onwards, stopping again at the Gin Trap pub where some stayed to eat while a few of us continued and met up again at the coast cafe at Old Hunstanton. What a wonderful view with all the bikes parked up and a beautiful beach as the backdrop. We stayed for a bite to eat, lots to drink and more bike chat and admiration before I lay in the sun for a while, drinking ice cool coke and wishing Paul was there. Still I thought he'd approve of the stick of rock I'd got him. I know it's cliche, by the sea and all, but there was a reason. Instead of the place name written all through it, it just had 'The Boss'. How could I resist.!! The journey back was simple, towards Kings Lynn, then the A10 down towards Downham Market, past groves of splendid purple rhododendrons and via a pitstop for some refreshments for later on. And that brings me up to date, having brought pen & paper and sat in the glorious sunshine for the last half an hour penning this lot.
So now it's off to call home before getting ready for the evening BBQ and a quick visit to the horse at the end of the field. Horse visited, home rung, I stuck my shorts on and walked up to the BBQ which was being set up. Enough time to offer any help, I ended up chopping a few potatoes and helping to arrange a few tables. The salad spread looked appetising and as I sat down with John & Jan, my mouth watering, I thought I mustn't get into my wine too much before eating something. We were joined by Frank & Anna and it was only then that I realised I'd missed the Indian Jewellery that had been on sale in the afternoon while I'd been scribbling away, along with the WI cakes. What a bummer! WI cakes are the best, trust me. Anyway, the folk band set up and started to play a few songs, everyone queued for the BBQ and we decided after, to go down the local pub for a few drinks, so I quickly changed into some warmer togs and Anna drove us down, piled in the back of a big white van. As we walked in, there were two empty pool tables and it wasn't long before we had our own mini pool tournament. Tracy and I took on John & Jan, the winners played Frank & Anna and then Carl & Pauline made a challenge. The ultimate winners were John & Jan, but only after endless laughter, mixed with some 'serious' competitiveness (LOL) and some pretty impressive trick shots. Before too long it was time to return to camp and there in started the challenge of just how many bodies can you cram into the back of a white van. As we went to climb in the back, we realised there was already a 'layer' of passengers covering the floor, so we picked our way carefully in the dim light. I put my hand down on what I thought was someone's knee, only to realise it was someone's head (sorry chaps!) and ended up squashing another poor guys lap who I found out was Chris, if I remember right. How we managed to make the few miles and handful of bumps back to camp without serious injury, I don't know. I just remember apologising to Chris for any permanent damage I may have afflicted, as we extricated ourselves while suffering a bout of hysterics. There was late night chilli for those who were hungry still and I stayed up for a while till the space station passed over again, before retiring.
Another really cold night during which I put on as many layers as I could find, I woke up again at 4:30, then 6:00, before getting up and starting to tidy up quietly. I looked out a little later to see than John & Jan had already de-camped, then met up again at
breakfast and met Molly who'd been travelling round with us in a sidecar. There was talk of a ride out later on to a local air museum. While waiting, I de-camped inbetween saying bye to people and snapping more pics for the gallery. By now, the field was looking much emptier. The weather, by contrast was looking brighter after the early morning drizzle, as Russell led Nobby, Me, Carl, Pauline and a handful of others on the rideout to the air museum, where we had our own informative guided tour of the fascinating little place. It was amazing to see what could be salvaged from a lump of tatty looking mud and metal and quite earie to think of those involved in the crashes from which most of the engines etc. on display had been taken. As we made our way back, we passed a contrastingly sweet picture of three or four cygnets huddled together on the banks with their parents on the banks next to the roadside ditches. Back to camp, I helped to tidy up a bit and eventually headed off for home about 14:30, following Nobby & Pat in convoy down to the A134.
I stopped off for petrol just after joining the A14 and then again at the A140 junction as I was getting hungry. I let Paul know and as I sat in the Little Chef, the beautiful old car I'd just passed, came in and parked between a couple of 'fully loaded' Goldwings. With it's retro pink and cream colours, I thought I just had to get a picture and after waiting a short time chatting to another admirer outside, I managed to get a great picture with my bike in front as well. Heck I even took the tent of the back while I took it. An Australian chap then came out to ask if I minded if he looked at my bike. Be my guest !! So there I was chatting to two complete strangers while looking at a set of 'Art Deco' coloured vehicles in a car park in the middle of nowhere. Pretty much how the whole weekend had been, why change things now. About half an hour later I rolled into the drive, elated at my camping weekend with a group on enthusiastic Indian owners and riders, excited at the fact that I'd made some new friends to ride with in the future.
So that's it, hope you like the pictures and my babbling and maybe I'll see you at another rally down the road.
Les (aka Rocketdog)
More piccies from the Rally
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