Parrots Rally Club.
Pissed as a Parrot Rally.
7th 8th 9th November. 1997.
We only heard about this rally the previous
week whilst on the Flying Boot rally, so following a phone call
we had directions to the site. Well, we almost had
directions. "About 10 miles past Ashbourne on the
A515, it’s a black and white pub." The only pub I
could remember in that area was the old Newhaven Hotel which has
been boarded up for years.
I am fortunate enough to have the kind of job where I can
usually finish early on Friday, so by half past two I was on my
way. The weather seemed decent for the time of year, dull
but not too windy or wet. I passed through Ashbourne and
kept a keen eye on the mileometer, the Newhaven Hotel was ten
miles past Ashbourne and still boarded up. I had the
horrible feeling that we had been "set up" and the
rally site wasn’t where we had been told. After
another two or three miles a large pub appeared on the
right. The Bull I’ Th’ Thorn. Now
there’s a mouthful, as the actress said to the bishop.
I quickly set the mobile dog kennel up and went to book in.
The rally seemed to be running itself as non of the Parrots had
arrived. Within a few minutes Kev and family arrived on
their good old B.M.W. outfit. We stuffed ourselves with
pizza, which I just happened to have about my person, and
headed into the pub for the night. This was a normal
"trad" Friday night with people milling about and
generally chatting, drinking and falling over. By midnight
the weather had changed for the worse. Gale force wind and
lashing rain, just what you need on a rally. We tied extra
storm guys on to Kev’s "Megadome" tent.
These big "one touch" tents are excellent but they
don’t like strong wind.
The rain took its toll on the Trike’s electrics.
I had to remove the h-t leads and dry them thoroughly before the
engine would start. Having got the Trike started we headed
into Buxton to find some dinner.
By the time we got back to the site the rain had soaked
into the ground creating lovely mud. The kind of mud that
builds up on your boots as you walk so by the time you have
crossed the field you are two inches taller. The more
sensible people left their bikes up by the pub. The Trike,
having wide tyres and a lot of weight over the rear wheels, found
the mud to pose no threat. Also. It’s difficult to
fall off a Trike.
By eight o clock Saturday night we were once more in the
pub. The indoor silly games were well received. The
"musical flans" went down very well, with the two
finalists performing a somewhat different ballet, based loosely
on the "Flandango" perhaps? The awards were duly
presented, with my wonderful mobile dog kennel winning "Grot
tent", of all things. I won Grot Trike last week, Grot
tent this week, are they trying to tell me something?
By Sunday morning the wind and rain had abated somewhat, so
I quickly packed away before the wet stuff descended again.
Another rally over. Thanks to the Parrots for an enjoyable
weekend, it was fun (despite the Grot tent award.) See you
next time, all being well.
Cheers.
^..^
Lone Wolf.