Well that worked out very well, the Solstice rally staged by the National club at the Rob Roy Hotel Aberfoyle. We managed to get a place at the last minute having been on the waiting list due to the Dutch contingent having to call off because of the bloody disease. We were supposed to be at a family party in Italy at the same time so didn't enter but of course it was made impossible by the bloody disease so the rally was in effect a second choice but I am so glad we got in and full marks to the organisers.
If I am being honest at first I didn't much fancy it, a rally in a hotel, whatever next! It worked out far better than expected and I think it was so good to catch up with lots of people we hadn't seen for at least two years, the problem is none of the club are getting any younger so its important to meet up regularly before the time comes when it isn't possible. Great to see so many hardened regulars turning up and a special mention for Bill and Campbell who camped down the road and scranned up their own food by the tent, mind you I'm not sure if that was an attempt to keep old traditions alive or just down to the fact they are canny Aberdonians.
I couldn't fault the hotel, the meals were excellent and the rooms clean, the social distancing thing was adhered to (I suppose) and it almost felt like a welcome return to "normal times" The bar closed at 10 for last orders and although this caught us out our group (or bubble) agreed it probably wasn't a bad thing allowing for a freshness in the morning not normally associated with Norton meetings.
Lets hope the strive for proper normal times continues despite the complete bollocks our ruling classes have made of it. Not as many pics as normal due to the fact I was obviously too exited to be talking to real people again not on Zoom!
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| Ready for the off |
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| A well ridden Norton, used and ridden daily by the same owner since new |
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| Mad Max's nice Manx |
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| Commander |
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| Manx again |
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| Lots of Featherbeds appeared |
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| Campbell and Bill down from Aberdeen |
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| More Mk3 Commandos than normal |
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| Atlas |
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| 650ss |
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| A well used and original pre war 16H |
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| Love the patina |
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| Nice fastback next to Laurennes biscuit Triumph |
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| Solvol being used methinks |
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| Bert's latest incarnation of the Commando |
