Isle of Wight National Rally
22nd-25th August 2008
(Write up below photo's)

Having left Pboro at 6.30 our first stop was in Northampton to meet with Strangetown lot whom shortly after were helping me to replace a broken clutch cable – cheers lads. Our trip thereon was uneventful until the main group pulled off for fuel. Steve and Eddie along with a Northants scooter rider kept going all the way to the ferry. The rest of us had to carry out a repair to one of the Northampton’s scooter. Lucky Mr Dazzling Darren himself was to hand and we soon on our way. I was subsequently reunited with Steve and fast Eddie. Landing on the shores of IOW first we had to dispatch the ACE FACE and his cronies with the rightful King of the Mods Mr Lane taking up the lead closely followed by me and Fast Eddie. We headed straight to the Castle for a beverage or two where I met my old mates from FAB SC. Eddie and Steve found their BnB and a nice gentleman who later took a shine to Steve although I am reliably informed it was Fast Eddie who later caught the eye of the ‘Bed and Breakfast Man’. Our first night was a low key affair; I spent the night catching up with scooter life down in East London, meeting new and old faces from the scene – as they call it! Not sure what Eddie and Steve got up to but they were early back to their guest house for a rendezvous with you know who. The following day, I attempted to ride out to somewhere exotic but was left failing with the old footy injury hampering my usually swift gear selection. I took a detour to meet with Eddie and Steve at the parts fair. Steve was having his spark plug cleaned by Danny so there was plenty of time for us to plan an adventure to Belgium under the spell of Fosters delight. Steve’s scooter was returned with a new rear hub and two brand new shiny blue walled tyres. Apparently they're all the rage in Holbeach scooter scene – it matches the local’s hair. Back to Ryde to watch a Band play at the new Festival laid on for us scooter folk then off for more drinks and chat. The evening came and the three of us strolled around Ryde sampling the entertainments before ending backing at the ‘Hipshaker’. Steve and Eddie were again lighter than me and men of FAB, making a swift exit back again to meet Mr Nice. The next morning we waited the unusual damp Ryde to dry in time for the largest ride out ever during which time Steve told how his sleep was thwarted by the ever present Mr Nice! I again was not too attempt to loosen my hold on my stiffening clutch, and decided against the ride out instead finding a nice sea view restaurant to a have a spot of lunch with my old pals from Hornchurch. I managed to grab the ending of the Small Fakers set joining in with a rendition of lazy Sunday - very poignant indeed. I bumped into Mattie again before walking back to the Castle. The last night started with the three amigos sitting in the hipshaker enjoying the various sights and sounds that grace our scene. None of us had the courage to join in the fun so we walked over to the end the VFM do taking in dancing lessons from fat mod and speeded up gimp boy. We spent a while chatting with old Dazzling of Strangetown who’s sounding more like Mr Chumly Warmer by the day. Must be all that sitting at home chilling out. Steve by now was feeling the effects of the weekend and legged it back to try his luck with the bed and break man, whilst Fast and my dear old self walked back to the hipshaker for some final sounds and sights of the sixties. Eddie retired and to call his new mate for assistance when he found himself locked out of his abode. I however stayed up to the wee small hour dancing and singing my way to the end. F””CK I was knackered when Eddie called me to get up and prepare for our long homeward journey. We managed to catch the early boat across the Solent and join the mainland for a spot of McDonald’s breaky. Old Ronald had been seen at the Hipshaker the previous day so we didn’t expect him to serve us. Instead we were greeted by Mattie’s smiling face who was en route to the flat lands of Cambridgeshire. We bombed it up the road until I had a spot of trouble with old fuel department i.e, blocked pilot jet. Fortunately all three of us are highly skilled Lambretta technicians and in a short while the old TV burst into life and we were on our merry way. We eventfully arrived back home with Steve having to ride even further to Sugar beat land whereas Eddie and I ended up at the Cherry Tree to meet the Boys and Girls of the PLVSC for a spot charity. I left after a bit of Wobbly Belly dancing and some Irish fellow screaming out some rock tunes. Cheers to Steve and Eddie and FAB SC and Strangetown for a great weekend.

Churchy

Thanks to Churchy and Eddie for the photo's