Well after watching the England Brazil match at the pub on Friday morning I headed home dejected cos we are out of the world cup, Bastards!

But with the weather doing its usual down pour routine I got the ZRX out and began to load my gear for the weekend, a chance to drown my sorrows.

Meeting up with Caroline and some Werefrogs at Cockermouth we headed along the A66 to Scotch Corner for our first petrol stop. The weather has improved dramatically and the waterproofs are off! We fuel up and head down the A1, then on down through Thirsk, always bloody traffic jams here, then toward Scarborough.

A bloke on a street fightered EXUP shot past us two up and Lukie was instantly in hot pursuit.
We eventually reached the turn off for the site, which is a mile or so outside of Helmsley, onto the dusty track and headed down into the valley. Once on site we met Lukie who was grinning (he'd passed Mr EXUP on his trick V-Max) then we headed down the field to find the rest of the crew.

Tents up and first beer down and already the Brazil victory is a memory but the important beer run is still to be carried out so Chris, Sue and myself head for Helmsley for beer (Copious amounts and Meat? For the Barbie). The village always welcomes the arrival of the biking hoards and there is always a good supply of beer in the off licences and shops.

Back on site and the drinking can begin, so I load a few cans into my jacket and head off to see what's on the stalls. While wandering round I meet friends from various clubs, Furness MAG, Hoad Hogs, Saints n Sinners, Beer Monsters etc, and other folk that I only see at rallies, like Al (Mr Bikers1 check his website). Off into the MAG stall to claim my tokens (a fivers worth for us full MAG Members!) and a tee shirt and rally badge are purchased before I'm too drunk.

Back at the tent, which is miles away from the main arena, and I'm gathering my supplies for the evening a twelve pack and whatever I can carry then we head for the arena area. Arriving and a group called Slightly Alien are playing, not bad but we don't need reminding who you are after every bloody song or are you slightly bloody annoying! (YES!). The final act for Friday were a band called Planet Soul who covered loads of classic soul tracks that had the crowd bopping and swaying (or was that the Boddingtons's kicking in?). Bernie and Chris were both boogying and rolling round on the grass.

Grabbing some food at one of the many food vans and then a slow walk/stagger back to the tent to crash out, some folk are sitting round the camp fire talking and the usual rev limiter fools are revving their poor bikes to death! But its not enough to keep me awake!

Morning arrives and the food vans are calling, I'm never organised enough to fetch stoves etc and who would wash up? One Bacon buttie and coffee later and I bump into Des and Audrey wandering round the stalls so I join them. Slowly we meet various people slipping off Helmsley to start the afternoon in the pub with 'proper' toilet facilities and food. I buy a couple of pairs of combat pants and try in vane to get some size 4 Para boots for the girlfriend.

Afternoon arrives and we take the scenic route to the pub along the riverbank following the now well-trodden path. On arrival in Helmsley we are greeted with a Goldwing lying on its side getting the exhaust welded back up by the local blacksmith!

The village square is jam packed with bikers and by luck the first pub we check has the rest of our crew already well into their drinking session. Archie is holding court telling all his favourite jokes and stories with lukie joining in when he can get a word in! Beers and more beers drunk and a tasty beef baguette and its time to go for a wander round the square again we meet the same faces from the site in various stages of alcoholic stupor. Time to head back via the butchers and off license (yes again) and then a leisurely walk back to the site.

Eventually all the crew return with Archie barely able to stand, I thought that Scots were hard drinkers; he even manages to collapse on his own tent. We fire up the Barbie and various animal parts are thrown on with Caroline and myself taking turns at burning stuff. When everyone has had their fill we all venture down towards the arena as the bands have already started. The weather is not looking very promising so its waterproof jackets are essential if a little hot.

We manage to secure a spot inside one of the marquees and the drinking and talking begin. A rock band is playing as we arrive and they seem to be pretty good (no mention of being Slightly Alien) then a band call Badness finish of the night with some pretty good Madness covers.

Food van and a wander back to the tent through a torrential downpour but the alcohol still helps me off to sleep.

Morning comes and already some people are packed up and heading home. I decide on food and coffee before I do anything else.

Coffee and breakfast roll in my belly and I have a final wander round the stalls then its back to pack up and drop the tent.

Victims of the all day session still haven't emerged from their tents as we head off; Archie only manages to stick his head out of the tent before disappearing back inside.

We head off home with the rally now only a fond memory or is that Boddingtons still working?

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