Sidecarland

Kings Lynn Sidecarlanders 2015

Has anyone seen my cup?

Reports from Martyn and Michael

 Michael goes fording.

With the weather not being favourable on the Thursday morning I popped over to Kings Lynn on the Wednesday late afternoon to put my tent and the marquee up simply because the weather was lovely and sunny.

Lesley came over in the evening as I had decided to stay the night. We had an evening meal in The Gate, very good it was to, and I sampled a few pints of Nelsons Revenge from Norfolk brewer Woodfordes www.woodfordes.co.uk/our-beers/nelsonsrevenge.html

What I wasn’t expecting was the frost, the tent was well white although this did change by the morning with the sound of rain, yes it was going to be one of those changeable weather weekends but at least the site has a very modern heated toilet and shower block.

It was quite nasty Thursday morning with most Thursday arrivals electing to wait until it cleared before setting out, except Ken, who arrived on his Jawa with damp feet. He is hoping to have his Goldwing on the road in the next few weeks which will offer him a bit more protection.

With the weather sunny again, Ozzy, Jim and myself decided to go down the pub and leave the other Thursday arrivals in “The Shed” it was warm, had comfy chairs, the urn was on, plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits, what more could they want?

Friday arrived and it was apparent numbers would be down on last year, the weather was simply not being kind, and two of the pods that had been booked by club members had to be sub-let, so to speak, as due to personal circumstances those who had booked them couldn’t attend.

Saturday and some went for a run, with a few electing to stay and sample Ann’s delicious cakes. JB arrived and proudly proclaimed he had lost weight, that was about to change once he saw all the different cakes on offer. We still did all the usual, the raffle was run a little differently, seen it done at other events but probably the first and last time that it will be done at one of our events, we will have to leave it to the Chairman next time. The Grand Prix was won by Helen who simply was far too fast for the rest of the field.

We signed up some new members Ray and Chris from Cambridgeshire and Simon and Angie who day visited on their outfit and live in Suffolk. There were a few others day visiting on the Saturday including a local Ural riding vicar.

Finally to end the report and for me and many of the those attending, it was the first event I have ever attended where every single unit be it camping or podding turned up on an Outfit which is pretty rare these days.

 

Last man (well tent) standing

Many thanks to all who attended and keep an eye on the events calendar for next year’s sidecarland’ers camping weekend.

 

The last week in March turn out to be one of chivalry & pageant with the retirement of the “Car Park King” Richard 3rd www.richardiii.net A horse! a horse ! my kingdom for a horse! l don’t own a horse! however l do own a sidecar!

So at first at first light on the Saturday morning l ride my Mystic sidecar east via the A1 and the A151 to Bourne, Spalding / South Holland and at this time of year fields of daffodils are out in bloom.

Just over 100 hundred miles from home, l arrived at Kings Lynn and The Wash www.visitwestnorfolk.com/explore/coast/landscapes/wash-estuary and The Sidecarlanders Camping Weekend. Weather forecast for the weekend sun shine and showers with high winds, tent up then a light lunch before my ride north and a Tidal Road.

Brancaster,Marsh Side, Tidal Road.(tide on the ebb)

AA Box 530, Grade11 listed building ID 417809.

Brancaster Straithe, Mystic & Alison Christine waiting for the flow tide. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brancaster-estate

South Creake ford with a few DUCKS.

For the train spotters in our midst, l came across the disused railway station of Raynham Park of the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway www.mandgn.co.uk

A ford l did not cross at West Acre ,just too deep at this time of year.

On returning to the campsite, l seem to have a EXPOSED POLE sticking through the tent canvas! Only 10 years old and one careful owner?. However help was at hand the Tri Anglia Wheels Sidecar Club provide the rally field “Grand Pavilion” plus a very large black leather settee for my nighty lumbers, only FIVE STAR for Michael!

Saturday evening was a stroll into the village of Fair Green and The Gate pub www.thegatemiddleton.co.uk however l must be back again prompt at 21.30pm for the famous Tri-Anglia Wheels Grand Prix won this year by a lady sidecar-ist Helen.

Sunday 29th March, British Summer Time begins so the clocks go forward & 1 hour less on my leather settee! No tent to pack up that’s already in the SKIP! The weather forecast for the first day of BST,rain & high winds, plus getting cooler!

Only stop once on my return journey to visit the Moulton Windmill the tallest in the UK www.moultonwindmill.co.uk however did not linger the weather was closing in with lots of surface water about & l had experienced moments of AQUAPLANING on 3 x wheels!

Bye for now. Michael.