The run scheduled for July 14th was to Stow Maries airfield, but, we discovered it was closed on that day, so a hastily arranged trip to the Combined Services Museum at Maldon proved just as disappointing as it was closed as well! However all was not lost as we revisited the L33 Zeppelin crash site at Lt Wigborough. Colin has found out a lot of what went on, and next year will be the 100th anniversary of this event. It will be interesting to hear more about a bit of local history.
We carried on to the very popular Ship Inn at Tiptree for a very enjoyable lunch. Colin and I made a trip to visit Russell in Saffron Walden by Porsche as the weather didn't look too good, and Russell and his wife Joan were pleased to see us. It was good to see him getting back to his old self, although he was struggling a bit with mobility. Never the less we may well see them for a visit at one of the coming club nights, even if it is a 70 mile round trip for them.
For various reasons the July lunch meet took place in August and some seven members attended The Willows Inn at Cressing. I apologise for having to miss it, especially as Dot and Chris provided coffee at their home afterwards.
We have received the first batch of section T shirts, and we hope to see those members looking smart at the next functions!
We had a good turnout for the August club night with some 15 members present. A few of us took to the roads for a short ride before the meeting.
Three of us visited the Jampot Rally as day visitors on the Friday and a recce of the camp site found a lovely selection of bikes, all clearly being cherished by their owners. I felt £12 for a bin liner, an n A4 sheet for the programme and a badge a bit steep. I had other things to do but Phil and Colin took in the scheduled ride to Roydon Marina.
Our section had a rescheduled ride to Stow Maries on the 15th and this coincided with the Jampot Rally run, so some of us joined the large contingent of Matchless and AJS machines. The only surviving WW1 airfield was graced by one of the final flights of the last remaining airworthy Vulcan bomber.
The annual Fish and Chip run to Walton on the Naze was ably led by Paul this year and, despite being labeled as a Mystery tour we all arrived safely. Paul declined the chance to buy us all a supper, and I was disappointed that both my first and second choices were not available! However it was a nice evening and Chris and I had a good blast down the A12 on the way home.
Julian had foolishly let slip that he thought the fish and chips in Sudbury to be first class and is now arranging a ride out there one evening soon.
The August lunch was held at the aforementioned Ship inn, and there were nine in attendance for a good lunch.
I was watching the Moto GP qualifying at Silverstone, having traveled by BMW, and managing to go astray when I reached the M1 junction! Julia came with me on Sunday in the car and I managed to get nabbed by a speed camera! It was a good race, and Rossi fully deserved the win. It was amazing to watch qualifying in the dry on Saturday and unbelievable in the rain on Sunday. Very skillful
We again had a good turnout at the September club night and we had a trip around the back roads of Essex beforehand. We also had three Guests and we hope that one or two of them might join up with us.
There was some discussion about the future of the section and how to keep it running and I for one think that in the absence of any more volunteers, we can keep it ticking along in the same vein for the foreseeable future. However some help with organising rides and visits would be appreciated.
Colin did outline one or two proposals to be discussed at the next meeting, particularly regarding the Annual Dinner and prize giving, so please give it some thought.
I already have had one or two suggestions for visits next year so if any of you have any ideas about suitable rides, venues or places to visit please let us know.
We had a ride scheduled for September 8th and four of us made a trip to the Leiston Longshop Museum. I must thank the others for their indulgence as I had never been and it was a lovely day out. The old Rocket went well, now 59 years old, fifty of those in my ownership.
There has been some debate going on recently, about paid up members of the club and those who just come along to our meetings, without being members. Evidently there is a problem, should any of the non members take part in for instance a ride out, only the paid up members would be covered by the club, and were a non member to get hurt, it could result in the club being sued by that person. I would like to emphasise that we love to see you all at our meetings but if future we may well have to ask about your membership, should you want to come for a ride.
Finally several of you will have now been along to Sean Davies Motorcycles in Gosbecks Road, Colchester for MOTs and Tyres etc on my recommendation. All of you that I have spoken to have been full of praise for the service and friendliness of the staff. Today, I took my Varadero for its MOT and the front brake light switch had failed. This was replaced while I waited and an MOT issued, all within half-an-hour. I can thoroughly recommend them on all counts.
Finally, Colin has sent e mails out with lists of events, both from this section and other clubs coming up in the next few weeks. Julian is also heavily involved in the Pre sixty five scrambling at the minute so do watch the website and your e mails for forthcoming events. I hope to see you at some of them.
Gordon