Guzzi Bird Gallery
Pre Event
We first got together in early May at the Scottish Rally to have our picture taken for publicity purposes. At the AGM we sat down together and planned the approximate routes we were going to travel.
Day 1
After posing for the local press we set off from Hayward's Motorcycles, Cambridge with a throng of bikers on our tail. At our first refreshment point the majority of our followers set off their own way and we contined to our overnight stopping place at the home of members Sue and Graham in Rampton.
Day 2
Our second day took us accross the purple hearther covered North Yorkshire moors, where we made a brief stop to pick some lucky heather. The journey took us to the Altberg Boot Company, Richmond, who gave us vouchers, which helped raise more money for the cause as raffle prises. We finished the day with a pleasant meal and stayed at the Youth Hostel in Edmondbyers.
Day 3
Day three saw us crossing the English - Scottish boarder. After lunch we parked up for a photo opportunity with the Forth bridges behind. In Blairgowrie we were invited to a reception of the BAD (Blairgowrie and District) motorcycle club. ‘Braveheart extra’ Charlie raises over £400.- for the charity by getting a somewhat drastic haircut. We spend the night at member Ronnies home and his brothers flat.
Day 4
The next day we took Ollie the Collie for his morning walk and then set off stopping at the Sma' Glen saying goodby to Charlie and some other BAD motorcycle club members. At the next stop Linda discovered a water bottle leaking in her top box. The next rest was at the Green Welly Stop, where we had lunch and collected some more money for the charity. The next part of the trip took us to Oban then on to committee members Sue and Pete's home, where we are served the best fish pie of Scotland courtesy of Pete.
Day 5
As we were setting off in the morning about to head towards a little ferry, where the Guzzi Bird gaggle was invented, we discovered Linda's pannier bracket had broken, so the pannier was strapped onto Cheryl's bike until we reached Moto Ecosse, who kindly sorted it while we had a very nice lunch. We then said goodbye to Pete and went on our way to a youth hostel where they expected six motorcyclists and so had reserved room in the men's dormatory for us.
Day 6
We left Scotland on a big ferry heading to Northern Ireland. Reaching the independant hostel in Ballintoy a little damp and tired from riding in fog and drizzle and so we postponed our visit of the Giant's causway to the next day, taking an late afternoon/evening off to relax a little. On the photo we're about to set off to the local pub to have our evening meal.
Day 7
On the way we stop to visit Joey Dunlop's memorial and then on to Sligo, where we encountered the rudest hostel employee, a young man from Eastern Europe.
Day 8
Leaving Sligo the weather brightened up again, along with out mood and we ride along bog roads... nail in Gwen't tyre,... reach Sallins, in County Kildare, where we are led to the home of member Shay and Hilda, who put us up and have organised ceilidh in their large kitchen, which was another real highlight of the trip.
Day 9
Ferry accross to Wales and a very wet welcome - staying the night at chariman Robin Mum's house.
Day 10
More rain in Wales... staying the last night at members house
Day 11
End journey into London and to the hospital and after a another photo shoot to Paul's shop.
