We had agreed to meet at our usual place in Weston-super-Mare and when I got there Ivor and Sylvia, Linda and Chris from Taunton were already drinking coffee at Costco. Clive and Sue came in next with Sharon as pillion. Good to see you out and about girlie! We left slightly later than planned as somebody needed to fuel up and headed up the A370 through Congresbury, Cleeve, Brockley and Backwell. We continued up Backwell Hill and a turn left at Barrow Gurney to pick up the A38. Past Bedminster Down and in to the back streets of Bristol to arrive at Fowlers bang on schedule.

Mark and Sandra plus Neal and Posti were already there as we came in closely followed by Pat, Gary and Beans with “Dozy” Dave, Shazza and Dave. Next to come in were Blackjack Bob on the 535 project bike just to prove it works with Rob and his friend from Holland, Esther. It is not often we have a blond lady over six feet tall with a V-Strom and an oversized handbag on the back of her bike! What a most unusual single wheeled trailer which cost her just 300 Euros. Love the way the sides were used as a blackboard for messages! Whilst we were having breakfast, good value at £4.50 including coffee, in came Stinger and Lynne to complete the lineup.

We set off as nineteen bikes led by Ivor and Pat doing third man drop wherever necessary with me as tail ender. Through Keynsham and on to Chew Valley Lake for a quick ice cream stop over.

Heading on through West Harptree and Blagdon and Banwell and in to Court Farm we were met by Blackie, Beano and Kate, Terry the Carpet with Big Dave. Kev and Steve with wife Patsy and Steve “Removal Man” had travelled up from Dorset. Maz and Spatch were already at our memorial ground.

Blackie conducted our memorial service with a new plaque put in to place to recall Gerbil by Kev, Mark and me with Blackie putting the final screw in place. Our thoughts also went out to Scooby, Millarman, Jo Voisey and Mike Morralee. Finally the tree was watered in our traditional way with a splash of cider.

We retired to the café and continued to chat and enjoy the sunshine. It was superb to have such a large turnout and hopefully all have been mentioned in this little tribute to our day of remembrance.

Magic