It was blisteringly hot and there was hardly a breeze in the air. This of course made for an unbelievably good weekend.

Although this rally attracts a large number of motorcyclists, motorcycle clubs and related stuff, it is also a great day out for families. Situated in the beautiful county of Kent the Hop Farm used to provide a working holiday for many families from the East End of London. Picking hops to go into beer was a way of summer life for many less well-off people and would provide the only holiday they were likely to get. Nowadays there are not so many hops here but the Hop Farm provides a terrific space for all manner of shows and events.

I arrived on Friday evening and after setting up my tent I joined the other Club Members in our tent for the traditional chat, drink and evening meal. Once more Gary Hall arranged to take all the equipment to the Hop Farm in a van and once more Sandra Hall prepared a feast fit for Kings. I know I have said it before but it deserves repeating. Thanks Sandra, you did us proud again!

Later in the evening we listened to a small band who played a great medley of stuff. The people in their tent were running a raffle to support an air ambulance. I bought a few tickets but I doubt if I will win. Anyway, where will I put an air ambulance if I DO win it?

Next day, Saturday, I went for a wander around the grounds. There were the usual bright and gaily-decorated stands everywhere. Bracelets, belts, tools, tents, bikes, tattoos, ice-cream, clothing, nuts & bolts, machine guns (yes!), decals  and a rifle range, they were all there and more besides.

There was a small fun-fair with the only Wall-Of-Death exhibit in the UK. It had to be seen to be believed. I saw it and I STILL don't believe!

There was also a pair of what looked like ex-military tracked vehicles with tracked trailers. For just £2.00 you could have a ride on them while they charged at high speed over the fields and up and down some pretty steep embankments. I had a go and boy! The speed! The way they rush up to a 90-degree turn and just turn in an instant! Wow! Forget your white-knuckle rides at the fun-fair, this was the real thing. I went on with my 15-year old Goddaughter and quite a few of the other passengers complained about the screaming, the tears and the begging to be let off. But I have promised her that I will not embarrass her by doing it again in the future! heh heh heh

In an arena in the centre of the grounds were a wide variety of events. Starting with a Cavalcade Drive Past with some pretty amazing machinery and moving on to Moto-Ball contests, riding displays including a bike jumping over various things including a tank! And a display by a parachute team who dropped into the arena with pin-point accuracy.

To me though, one of the most interesting and skilful things was a girl who would write your name onto a grain of rice and then put into a variety of things like small, plastic dolphins etc and would then make them into key-rings and necklaces etc. I had to use a magnifying glass to see the names clearly but she was not using anything. What incredible eyesight. And what a steady hand.  I was most impressed and bought a couple of them.

Back at our Club Tent we had a very large number of people turn up. Some new members, some we had not seen in years and many people who were visiting us for the first time. We were giving out tea, coffee and cold drinks as well as Sandra's traditional bread pudding and some cakes that Heather supplied. It is always great to meet people and to be able to tell them all about the Club. As always, the Club tent was a haven of relaxation and peace. Lots of people took advantage of the chairs inside the marquee and the welcome break it gave them from the blazing sun. We were also able to provide space in the van for them to leave their riding gear while they wandered about the show. Let's face it, it was far to hot to carry helmets and leathers all day. And it does not give you any spare arms to carry all that stuff you promised to buy!

The restaurant on site provided yet another excellent meal on Saturday night and then we all sat around listening to more music, have more than the odd beer or two and generally having a great old time.

Sunday was very much more of the same. We had some lovely bikes in front of our marquee including an immaculate DBD34 BSA Gold Star. Also a nicely restored 850 electric start Norton Commando that actually STARTED on the button (gasp! ed), and several other bikes that made appearances from time to time.

It was a real shame when Sunday finally drew to a close and we all had to strike the tents and set off for home. When I got home I checked our e-mails and the Club web site and was very pleasantly surprised to find several e-mails from visitors and one entry in the Guest Book on the web site from someone who had picked up a leaflet from us at the show. Folks, you really are the finest bunch of Club Members in the world. You make it so worthwhile for us to go to the shows. Please keep on coming, keep bringing your friends and families and please keep meeting us in the Club marquee. There is always free tea, coffee, cold drinks and food for members and even non-members can get one if they ask nicely (or join! ed.)

We will be at Beaulieu in two weeks time. Check out the Events Page for June for details. We all look forward to seeing as many of you as possible there and also to seeing you at the Club itself in Plaistow.

And please keep e-mailing or writing to us at the Club. This is YOUR web site and I love hearing from you all.

Until Beaulieu.......... Safe and happy riding to everyone.