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Virago Star Owners Club
SCRUMPIES CENTRE 17
Tonna 2014 by Magic
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Ramalambo’s dingdong Rally at Tonna

23rd to 26th May 2014

It all started on the Thursday with several of the Scrumpies setting up the dome. However we could not get there before Friday so we left Weston at 10.00 in the rain and headed for Chepstow via Avonmouth docks and Aust. It rained and the roads were muddy with all the lorries throwing up a fine brown spray that covered my visor making for poor visibility. We met Bunch and were greeted with a welcome cup of coffee and a dry out. We set off around 11.30 in more pouring rain down the M4 heading west with no improvement in the conditions with the car acting as tail ender for us. A welcome assistance in such conditions!

Once past Bridgend the roads dried and the sun came out. The Welsh gave us their usual cheery welcome complete with a freebee starter drink. The tents were erected in the dry and kit was neatly stowed and by 14.00 we were set up and ready to party! The local pub called The Whittington Arms gave us a warm welcome as the rain had started again. The band was a bit loud for my taste but they were assisted by Two Bob and his music. Annette enjoyed it taking several back scratching breaks for relief and a cool down. Too much to drink, too many cups of coffee and several snorers in the vicinity resulted in a restless night for me with more rain.

The club provided an excellent breakfast for just £4.00 and we decided to visit Swansea market and go on to The Mumbles.

Then we went on to M & P to check out the latest gear and new bikes before returning to site. We met up with Mazz and Spatch and ate down at the pub again with great service and good value food.

We missed the rock ‘n’ roll judging but learnt later that a man in drag had won! Great admiration for Annette, June and Kate who really looked the part. How June stayed in her dress I have no idea!

The band was called Rockhouse and was brilliant. We danced the night away to the early hours.

Yet again the club house breakfast had to be done and off to explore the local waterfalls along with Neath Abbey ruins in between yet more rain!

It was great to visit local attractions that I had never visited before. The evening band was a very young group called Faultline and they did not quite gauge the mood right but tried very hard. Thank goodness for Two Bob and his disco.

Monday arrived all too early with no rain and a little sun to assist packing up tents and kit semi dry. The field looked like a swamp but who else would allow us to carve up their rugby pitch in such a way and be thankful of our presence? Many thanks must go to all at the Tonna Rugby Club for making us all so very welcome as only the Welsh can do. Overall, a great weekend in good company and the start of a busy rally season.

In all, some 190 miles covered on the bike and some 70 miles in a car.

Magic