OZZY's report.

It was saturday morning at Slimbridge, the sun had risen over the Tudor Arms hotel and breakfast had been eaten. We had decided to go for a ride into Stroud and as Dickie had no passenger we decided to take one outfit between us. But which one I wondered, or rather Dickie had decided we were going on the Bandit. Dickie wanted to road test it so we decided Dickie would drive there and I would drive back. So, off we set and it was a pleasant ride in the chair to start with. We hit a couple of pot holes but I gave him the benefit of doubt due to the different machine but after the forty seventh I thought he may need a few lessons.

      We arrived in Stroud when, at this point, the key to the Bandit was thrust into my pocket as I think he had far too much fun. A pleasant day was spent in Stroud and then it was time to return to the camp site. At this point I placed the key to the bike in the ignition and was refused as Dickie said “I’ll drive back as well”, so in the chair I timidly entered. On the way back the throttle was opened up a couple of times but was shut very quickly. I noticed the pot holes approaching the bike but we still managed to hit most of them!  On arrival back at the camp site, I thought “Would I be allowed my keys to the bike back?” It was decided that the Bandit is not the bike for Dickie so that part of the deliberation is over. “Thank goodness” I thought, as I’m not sure my body or my bike could take another pounding such as that.  

Ozzy the Bandit.

This wasn't the only time Alan's Tiger and ETH went around the field. 

At least this Cambridge isn't full of push bikes.

BMW K1 and Saluki.

Reception marque.

Screams of delight, sorry, pain were heard coming from Mark's tent just after this picture was taken.

While other prefer to use a racket.

Easy rider!

Queasy Rider.

Tri Rider. 

 The "Patch Bridge" swing bridge.

Below the "Llanthony bridge" lift bridge.

The all important counter weight. 

Gloucester Cathedral.

St Nicholas Chuch no longer used for worship.

This sign was on a post next to the church.

Believe it or not, the police station is just yards away. Doesn't seem right somehow. 

Martyn and Lesley's report.

Lesley and I set off for Slimbridge on the thursday morning after I had put in the coordinates for the “Long Stone”  just outside Minchinhampton,  next to Gatcombe Park.

The Long Stone. Click on the link above to find out more about this stone wich is made of oolite

From there I took the back roads to Slimbridge, going through, Box, Balls Green, Tinkey Lane, Nympsfield, then over Frocester Hill to Frocester then, Cam and on to Slimbridge.

Great views from the hill.

Once set up we headed out for supplies which is no problem at one of the many supermarkets at Dursley just a few minutes ride away. Alan and Liz were busy setting up the control tent and by the evening were just about ready for the Friday arrivals. That evening, the Three Counties Sidecar Club gathered in the Tudor Arms for their inaugural meeting. A very laid back affair, arranging a couple of meets whilst sampling the local brew.

http://www.sidecarsarefun.co.uk/#/1st-meeting-report/4540183419

Friday and we decided to have a run-out, this did involve going past Attwoolls camping shop; we just had to pull in and have a look. We then went to find the Long Barrow near Uley or as it known locally "Hetty Pegler's Tump"

Uley Long Barrow. Date around 3000BC

Click on the link above to find out more and pictures from inside the burial mound.

We then headed back to the site and in the afternoon had a walk along the canal and a pint in the Black Shed.

The Black Shed.

Then is was across the road back to the site and at that point Ryan and Naomi arrived on the ER6. By this time, with good weather, the field was filling up. The final numbers for the event I believe was 55 units; this was no doubt down to the warm weather and sunshine. It is the highest number since the event has been run, also, next year will be their 20^th Rally at Slimbridge with something special to mark the occasion.

Saturday the run-out went to Gloucester Docks 

The Docks

http://www.gloucesterdocks.me.uk ,plenty to do and see. I did observe that quite a few of the units and shops in the dock area were unoccupied and the council really need to get proactive in attracting new businesses, or the area will slip into a state of general untidiness very quickly and will have a negative effect on the businesses currently there.

Saturday tea time, Ryan and Naomi did the cooking on the last portalable barbeque out of Tesco; it was nice just to sit there drinking wine and cider, while being handed char grilled bangers to munch on. The evening was spent playing killer skittles; we all did pretty well and Naomi came second. We won a few prizes on the raffle, mainly bottles of booze, at least they were easy to pack as we hadn’t much room in the boot.

Skittles.

The Raffle.

A very good rally, well supported this year by CMA, BMW owners, HSOC, Fed members and others. You will always receive a warm welcome whatever the weather and all of the Wheels members would like to thank Alan, Liz, and their helpers for an excellent weekend.

Martyn and Lesley  

 The Snail centrifugal water pump.

Boat repairs

 Dry Dock.

Sometimes thing are not what they seem.

Low Carbon footprint I guess.

Some more pictures of the event.

The Flamingo sculpture at Patch Bridge, Slimbridge WWT is the only place in Europe were you can see all six species of Flamingo.

Pushing a generator along the canal.

The popular BMW K and Hedingham XL. Unit SIdecars built quite a few of these.

Charwood Meteor fitted to a Harley.

Come dine with me, big time.

Dickie was still washing up when it got dark.

Some even washed their bikes, no it wasn't Alec but Len seen here washing his wing.

Inside the Tudor Arms on Saturday evening.

Alan and Val win big on the raffle. Look, that jug of cider has made Alan's nose go red.

Inside the Jones marque, Denis making Baileys Coffee for all.

Another K, this time attached to an EML.

What have the Hairy's got on their screen.

Some people just can't park an Outfit, even in a field as big as a football pitch.

 Spotted in Gloucester docks "Hobgoblin" done forget their rally in June.

Lastly, when a chain is this rusty, a little bit of white spray grease isn't going to do a lot of good.