Dragon Rally 2007

(Anglesey showground)

Following Matt's man flu and Stuart's dodgy bowling antics 4 were reduced to 2 as Neil and me headed off to our 1st and 4th Dragon. After a great breakfast courtesy of Stuart's mum, we set off up the M40 into drizzly wetness. Arriving in mid-Wales the weather cleared up - all the rain was frozen solid - and the temperature dropped. Sustained by my heated home made wonder vest and Neil's manly indifference we blasted up the A5 and onto Anglesey. Making good time I was determined to get us there before dark and to set up in the light. After I got us both lost several times we arrived just as the caravan was packing up and set up ... in the dark. Luckily I just so happened to have a 2-stroke generator form the 60s and Neil's clean new tent was duly erected. Following the noise and 2-stroke haze Gary found us and we set off for beers in the tent.

Much, much warmer and drier than last year there seemed to be far fewer people, the stories of snow seemed to have scared people off, despite all the roads being well gritted and clear. Ambling around the cavernous barn we came upon Lampeter-Richard and chum and proceeded to guzzle more beer. 1/2 time called for double burgers and the arrival of the Thumper Club, clad in smoking jackets, be-piped and with a lamp stand. Having just the thing we loaned the generator and had a great deal of fun and interest, until some spoilsport pointed out the 2-stroke (15:1 premix :o) ) haze obscuring vision in the other half of the barn and complaining something about lung damage. More double burgers and beer, an orbit of the bikes in the field, and off through the mud to the tent. At this point the slime, wet, distance and general Dragon hassle briefly pierced Neil's calm demeanour and sent me into (an annoying) beer fuelled giggling fit. Deep and meaningful (girl/bike) conversation followed until my new camping light didn't, and untoothbrushed, unwashed, fully dressed: it was sleep time.

Morning alarm call was sounded by an excess of engine revving and firework frolics and we emerged from the damp (condensation) tent into a slimy mud bath. With a small fanny-around delay on my part (though I got an arc welder for £5) it was time to go. With Neil's Hornet's wheel spinning even on just the tickover, assistance was needed to escape. With two pushers and grim determination the bikes made tarmac and it was on to Betws-Y-Coed and the railway carriage based greasy spoon at the rail museum (a cool cafe, worth a look). Approaching Warwick, the idea of calling in on our ill chums was raised and dropped and we sailed home to a warm, dry bed, and work in the morning :o(

© Phillip Jackson MMVII