This National Rat Raid was organised by WOODS of Abergele.
Friday morning: Five bikes from Laguna, (accompanied by Alan's friend Roland on a Tiger, from Germany), left the Merry Chest café at 10.00am for the 260 mile run to Ruthin, North Wales. Alan's wife Sue & Kathy Meers travelled up to meet us in Sue's car.
Trying to stay off the motorway's as much as possible; Alan devised a great route. After a short stint on the M25, travelling along the A41, A44 and A5, great roads.

With pit stops for petrol, and a lunch break at the 'OK' American Diner, near Shrewsbury. All arrived safely by 4.00pm. Our base for the weekend was Ruthin Castle, situated by the River Clwyd amongst acres of landscape gardens, parklands and woodlands.
We were met by Bill & Pat Deacon (Woods Pack Leader & his wife), who handed out an event T-shirt, pin badge and a route plan to each of us.

After booking into our rooms, we met up with the rest of the UK rat pack members in the restaurant, where we were served a 3-course meal. Bill and other Woods members welcomed us and gave us a briefing of the weekend events on offer. After which a quiz was organised, which our team, 'The Pride of Kent' came joint second! (Miracles never cease)! We finally retired to our rooms around 12.30am.

Saturday morning: Up bright an early for a cooked breakfast around 8.00am. With route maps in hand, we split into groups and headed of to ride the beautiful roads of North Wales.
The weather was over cast, but remained dry for the day. Two routes were on offer for those who wished to follow. A short route around the national park of Snowdonia, with breath taking views of Snowdon, with its snow covered peak, or, a longer route, which incorporated a run around the Isle of Anglesey. We all met up in the Island for our lunch break on the coast of Beaumaris. Rolls & pasties were on offer.

After lunch, Laguna members split into two groups. Alan leading a group around Anglesey, while Chrissy lead a group back around the valley roads for some site seeing and photo opportunities.
Back at the castle for the Saturday night, we all met down at the bar, (Some in medieval costume), before heading into the candle lit banqueting hall for our medieval feast, eaten with only a dagger and fingers!

Alan & Sue Burns were chosen to be Baron & Baroness for the evening. (Baron 'The Flying Custard') as he is affectionately known to the other Packs.) We therefore become his honoured guests, so Laguna were seated on the top table, which meant we got served first! (Well-done Alan!) Being the gentleman Alan is, he refrained from having any of the rest of the peasants be-headed or the hagglers thrown out!

The Court Stewart (Boldrick) and his Ladies of the court served and entertained us with harp music, songs & Jokes. We won prizes for 'The funniest story of the day' and with Roland on our team, also won ?The furthest rat member who travelled to the event. After consuming vast amounts of mead & wine, we retired back to the bar to chat with other pack members, which included Peter Clarke from Triumph and Ben Grey, now based at 'Windy Corner'. It was rather late before anyone retired for the night.

Sunday morning: The rain had finally arrived, so the run up to the Ponderosa café was cancelled. Most members packed up soon after breakfast and headed off back to their part of the country.
After saying our goodbyes to all the new friends we had made over the weekend, and saying a big thank you to Andrew Woods, Bill Deacon and all who had arranged a fantastic event, Alan lead us back safely down to the M25 where we all parted company.

The next Dragon Raid is scheduled for 2010. For those of you who couldn't attend, it was a brilliant weekend. Well worth doing.
For those of us who did go: Chrissy, Keith, Barry, Kathy, Adrian & Roland, we would like to say a big thank you to Alan Burns for organising the Laguna trip.
Photo's of the weekend are on the website.

Best wishes
ChrissyBx