So a week before we take off to the sunnier climes of South East Asia we had a Norton meeting at Tullybannocher just outside Comrie and the wind and rain couldn't have been worse, as if to say "enjoy your trip but don't forget you are coming back to crap weather!"
The run up to be honest was enjoyable, just great to be out on the bike despite the weather but hooray for heated grips and jackets, makes it so much more enjoyable, the run home for me wasn't as good but Fiona preferred it to the run up, just goes to show its all in your head. A better than expected turnout despite the weather and when we arrived Sandy & David had beaten us to it, full marks for them being Norton mounted and only just a pass for me for being on the BMW. As always great banter, tea drunk, soup and cakes eaten. Top marks for Tony and his wife for coming down from Aberdeen on their Commander which has the aerodynamic qualities of a barn door and must have been a hand full in the crosswinds, their pal on a Buell also deserves a mention....for bringing a Buell? And good to see Kate making the effort whilst Bob was no doubt only pretending to work so he didn't have to get his Honda wet.
On a serious note, I found out from Sandy Bloy that Sandy Torrance just died, Sandy helped organise the Classic club Scotia challenge which over the years has encouraged people to get out there discovering Scotland on their bikes, a Commercial airline pilot and stunt pilot in his spare time as well as being a very keen motorcyclist he will be sadly missed, he only had 3 weeks from feeling ill to leaving this Earth, after today we are all a day closer to the end that's for sure, how did you use your time today?
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| Cultybraggan camp, built as a POW camp to house senior Nazi's captured during ww2 then used as a Army camp, the only weekend camp I had in my short career in the Black Watch Army Cadets was here (when I realised I couldn't be a general right away, I left) |
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| Fi braving the rain & wind |
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| Sandy & David's Nortons |
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| David's diet going to pot, yes he did eat it all!! |
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| Line up outside the cafe before Tony arrived or there would have been 4 Nortons in this picture, My brother John's bike isn't here either as he was late also, bad show...Kates Suzuki taking pride of place, I should have photoshopped it into a Norton |
You were lucky to have spent only a weekend at Culty Braggan. I spent the two most miserable weeks of my life there in the summer of '69, with the only light relief provided by floating burning newspapers along the communal squatter's pipe. Sorry not to have made it, but had an EGM to attend elsewhere. Maybe Spring...
ReplyDeleteDidn't see you as a servant of Queen and Country Jake, you obviously packed in for the same reason!
ReplyDeleteSpring will be here soon enough :-)
Mr and Mrs R.... you know how to enjoy this life!
ReplyDeletehad my commando up the mountain last night, milky way like you have (maybe) never seen.... all the way up to 1200m and at la casa too. This morning, on the 15km ride down to the shop, split pea soup all the way! I must remember to diligently spray the faceshield with silacon aerosol every ride..... Have yourselves a time in asia! cheers, Don