Saturday 25 Monday 27 August 2007

Just after four thirty on Saturday, nine RAT members on six bikes left Laguna's for the Bank holiday camp in the Elham Valley in East Kent. The weather was great and thankfully stayed like it for the weekend which, in more ways than one proved eventful. Rohan and Linda lead the way out of town, along the A20 to Charing where we cut across to the A28, picked up Shalmsford Street to Bridge and dropped down to the site a few miles before Elham.

We didn't follow the normal practice of unpacking and pitching tents as we all felt it polite to pay a visit to the onsite pub and say hello to the staff first. Once refreshed we booked the restaurant and put the tents up. The meal was eventful. All nine of us were seated around the 'well table' which had a drop of over 100' in the center; thankfully it was covered with a glass plate. The meals were ordered, the last remaining lamb shank going to Keith! The main course having been devoured (Keith did pick up his bone!) the pudding list came out. What was that strange sounding sweet which looked so good some asked? Then a voice form behind said, 'That's what I've got'. On looking round a 'young lady' was proudly showing us her Eton Mess, we were to see more of her.

The meal over we all went outside to finish coffee. Ingrid decided to forget her bike and instead tried to have a drive in the children's car but alas it didn't work. Rod came to her rescue as he noticed that it was not plugged in. Being the gentleman he went inside, plugged it in and switched on. Strange?. all the lights in the pub went out followed by shouts from the staff of 'Don't turn it on its broken'. Power resumed we left for a final coffee at the tents before sadly saying goodbye to Ingrid who could not stay the night.

Sunday was another lovely day. The bacon was cooking and shouts of 'Who got some brown sauce?' could be heard. Suitably refreshed the eight of us went for a mystery ride through the winding lanes and wonderful scenery ending up at Sandwich. A local café was our destination for lunch and we quickly filled all the tables outside. The waitress' were great fun as usual.The town was hosting a medieval fair so after refreshment it was a short ride to the middle ages. We were not sure if the Doctor was a relative of Dracula but all his remedies seemed to involve blood letting.

After the fair we again enjoyed the lanes of Kent passing along the Alkham Valley to Whitfield for supplies. Rohan and Linda had planned a museum stop but we had run out of time. A short ride later we were heading back to camp and came across a tea stop at the Elham Valley VIN yard where we met members of the Harley Owners Club and tasted some wine.

Back at camp we relaxed for a while before the lure of the bar called. Keith and Ian decided to enjoy the company of the rather buxom and ever so slightly drunken landlady. They heard stories of her biking days in the 60' around Kent and benefited from her generosity as she could not be bothered to add things up, (not surprising the state she was in.) The left over roast potatoes were fantastic!! Anyway after a quick one, well two then, Crissy did have to come and get hers and Julie's, they rejoined the rest taking fresh supplies back. The 'young' lady we had met the night before was camping a few yards away and decided to bring her dogs over. A strange woman who didn't understand why we moved the table! Any of you Hairy Bikers for tea was a sound we dreaded.

One thing we had noticed was that the water tasted of TCP, all very good for your mouth but not so good in tea and coffee. Rod took action and after complaining to the landlord was shown a different tap outside the pub by the kitchen. Fresh supplies obtained and the tea and coffee was now drinkable.

The supper that evening was a picnic with several chickens, pasta, olives (much loved by Denise) and much more all washed down with some wine as the pub was closed on a Sunday night. A great evening of chat and laughter lead to bedtime.

Monday morning was again pleasant unlike the thought of having to pack. The 'young' women nearby was kind and without prompting brought over some wipes for our visors as well as her dogs and would you like a cuppa!. On hearing four of the group discussing whether a café was open on the A20 she volunteered to call them. A few minutes later four full breakfasts had been ordered. Thoughtful you may think but no one wanted a full breakfast. All packed we left in different groups for the ride home which was eventful for some.

Thanks to Rohan and Linda for organizing a great weekend.

Ian