Norton meeting in Strontian

A long overdue camping weekend for the guys and girls from the Tay Valley Norton club, Alex was out of hibernation for the first time in almost two years and it was great to see everyone and listen to the stories Normality is creeping back but what  normality will look like I'm not sure. Alex met us at Perth and we had a damp run to Tyndrum where we stopped for lunch. A chap asked about our Nortons and said he worked for Les Emery when he first started up for around five years and had a Commando that Pete Lovell had converted to 920, this was small world number one. As we were having lunch Al Fresco (It was drying up and the sun came out) a couple of guys came over from the Green Welly and were scrutinising the Nortons,"just buy one" I shouted and the younger of the two replied he had one, he then said he recognised us from some of the nonsense we posted on the web, sorry I didn't get his name but it was funny we all knew Tam Bradley, small world number two. We arrived and set camp, actually we had a cabin so didn't set very much except the kettle to have a cup of tea. The chaps arrived and a nice evening was had in the Strontian Hotel.

Saturday arrived which was good as it had followed Friday and if it hadn't then the world would have been out of kilter, a lazy breakfast at the Cafe then a group of us had a run to Arisaig which was stunning. Whilst we basked in the sunshine a family approached us and the lady said her late Father had a Commando which was still in the family and which they cherished in memory of her Dad, seemingly a very late build mk2A by the sound of it, her Dad knew someone who worked in the factory and built it from parts when he was made redundant. We gave some advice on long term storage and I resisted the temptation  to offer to buy it, this was small world number three and proves you are never alone on a Norton! 

Some change of personnel on Saturday, Keith Burdon left and Brother John, Lesley and Tim arrived. Tim was on a nice N15 which sadly I never photographed but I do have some video of it. Saturday night passed again too quickly and we were up early the following day for the run home. Brilliant weekend which I thoroughly enjoyed and thanks to all for coming along.

Nortons at rest

Note waterproofs are on, its not always sunny

Tay Valley Camping section erecting tents

Alans nice mk3

Phil and his trusty Commando

The bay on Saturday night

Serious talk

Alex in full flow

Keith's Interpol Saturday morning ready for the off

Jim's Commando

Unusual to see a mostly unmolested Interpol

Deep Conversation

Our bikes outside our shed

Arisaig sunshine

Looking over to Skye

Nortons in the sun

Ready for the off

Me caught in listening mode

Tim, John and Lesley

Dramatic shot waiting on the ferry