Honda N Devon rally

 Last week Sue and i organised our Honda CX-GL N Devon rally, this is the 3rd year that we have put on this event. It coincided with a Beer festival with live music at the next door pub "The Sawmills"which is where we take our meals and of course beverages (Beer etc).The weekend certainly didn't start on a good note with torrential rain on Friday (arrival day). We half expected quite a few to cry off or come in cars but most braved the awful conditions getting very wet indeed.Sue and i usually cook up Bacon, Sausage or Egg rolls on arrival, which with a cuppa went down well with all. The site we use "Watermouth Valley" is a really beautiful site with fantastic sea and coast views, also the site owners are really biker friendly and really pleasant people.It also has to be said that considering we had nearly 14 hours of rain the drainage of pitches was exellent, within 24 hours you would not have known it had rained.We are allowed to block off an area to both Camp and park our bikes safely, which is a bonus.I think most members really enjoyed the weekend especially as the weather improved the rest of the weekend.
Pictures. CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT.
The first is a group picture of the members (less a couple).
Then our local rep and his wife, Brian & Sarah.

A few more members with there bikes, also the Tea tent and general site.

Joke of the day.

After his exam the doctor asked the elderly man: "You appear to be in good health. Do you have any medical concerns you would like to ask me?" "In fact, I do," said the old man. "After my wife and I make love I am usually cold and chilly, and then, after we make love the second time, I am usually hot and sweaty."? Later, after examining the elderly gentleman's wife, the doctor said: "Everything appears to be fine. Do you have any medical concerns you would like to discuss with me?"  She replied she had no questions or concerns. The doctor then told her: "Your husband had an unusual concern. He claims he is usually cold and chilly after having sex with you the first time, and then hot and sweaty after the second time. Do you know why?" "Oh that crazy old fart," she replied

Its because the first time is usually in January and the second time is in August."

The last Sea going paddle steamer.

"Long time no blog" So Hi again to those of you who still pop in occasionally. Today's blog is about the worlds very last passenger, sea going Paddle Steamer "The Waverley". Last week we popped into Ilfracombe ( North Devon) to pick up some bits of fishing tackle, while there we noticed this lovely vessel just about to dock.The "Waverley" was built in Scotland in 1946 and is now owned by the "Paddle Steamer preservation society". Her first owners were the "London and North Eastern Railway" she is 240 feet long and nearly 60 ft wide, with a draft of around 6ft- 6inches.During her launch Speed trial she reached 18.5 knots, although now she cruises around 13 or 14 knots. Her normal maximum passengers are around 900. Between 2000 and 2003 she underwent a massive refit at Yarmouth, mostly funded by the "Heritage Lottery fund",  this year is a crucial year for the her and her sister ships (not steam) MV "Balmoral" and PS "Kingswear Castle".Costs are very high, particularly maintainance, a lot of Finance is needed to keep these boats afloat.
Below, Ilfracombe's town crier welcomes passengers to the town, during a whole week in June a lot of the towns shopkeepers and residents dress in period costume too.

A couple of pictures of her as she goes astern from Ilfracombe pier.

The last picture shows her as she starts the return journey to Clevedon, Bristol.

Joke of the day.

These are classified ads,  which were actually placed in an Aberdeen .  newspaper: FREE YORKSHIRE TERRIER.                                                                        FREE  PUPPIES. 8 years old.                                                                               1/2  Cocker Spaniel,  Hateful little bastard.                                                                  1/2  sneaky neighbour's dog. Bites! FREE  PUPPIES.. Mother is a Kennel Club  registered German Shepherd. Father is a Super Dog, able to leap tall  fences in a single bound. COWS, CALVES: NEVER  BRED.                                                  Also 1 gay bull for sale.                                                JOINING  NUDIST COLONY!  Must  sell washer and dryer £100 WEDDING DRESS  FOR SALE .Worn once by  mistake. Call Stephanie. **** And the WINNER is...  **** FOR SALE BY  OWNER. Complete set of Encyclopedia  Britannica, 45 volumes. Excellent condition, £200 or best offer.  No longer needed, got married, wife knows  everything. Subject: Irish Railway The following is an actual exchange of correspondence between a customer and the Irish Railway Company. Gentlemen, I have been riding your trains daily for the last two years, and the service on your line seems to be getting worse every day. I am tired of standing in the aisle all the time on a 14-mile trip. I think the transportation system is worse than that enjoyed by people 2,000 years ago. Yours truly, Patrick Finnegan --------------------------------  Dear Mr. Finnegan, We received your letter with reference to the shortcomings of our service and believe you are somewhat confused in your history.  The only mode of transportation 2,000 years ago was by foot. Sincerely, Irish Railway Company ----------------------------------- Gentlemen, I am in receipt of your letter, and I think you are the ones who are confused in your history. If you will refer to the Bible and the Book of David, 9th Chapter, you will find that Balaam rode to town on his ass.  That.... gentlemen, is something I have not been able to do on your train in the last two years! Yours truly, Patrick Finnegan