PS. This is one of their members - I must apologise for forgetting his name - but was this taken for Crime Watch or what?
Rip Roarin Rally - Ripon MAG May 30th-June 1st 1997
A hot sunny afternoon had Simon and myself on the road in record time for a change and all seemed to be going well until turning off the A66 to Gilling West and I noticed the small one was missing. After waiting and then going back on my tracks for 3 miles I decided enough was enough and headed on my way. I found said small one in Richmond grinning like a Cheshire cat, he'd turned off at a different point than the one we had chosen earlier and thought it highly amusing that I had spent 20 minutes flying about like a blue-arsed fly looking for him. I did not. After the air had cleared, we carried on. A stop was called for at Masham to visit the Black Sheep Brewery and again the brainless one was absent. This time he'd decided to sit alone at the White Bear. When he turned up he said he didn't want any beer as he had hay fever, so he sat sulking as I enjoyed the beer bought by me for him.
Fully refreshed but very reluctant to leave this excellent watering hole, we carried onto Ripon, arriving at almost 3.00pm. The campsite was almost empty so we had no problem choosing a spot on which to make our erections. Later a walk round revealed nothing exciting so we ended up back at out tents and on with the chip pan.
Mam & Dad were next to arrive closely followed by Neil, Craig & Jodie. A cosy night was spent round the tents and as we were so close to the marquee we could here the music without going in. Next morning seemed to arrive all too soon, we decided to go on to the now customary walk into Ripon. During our walk it was noted that the canal had been brought back into use and was looking good.
I wonder how long before it starts to fill with empty oil containers, Bicycle and shipping trolleys etc.
First stop the Water Rat for a pleasant couple of hours watching the ducks. Mother remarked how she loved watching children playing in water as sometimes they remained submerged forever. Bless her.
Simon made the excuse he had no money left to get his round in, so I lent him a tenner, he came back with a pint but the silly boy had forgot himself. Cheers Simon.
After prising ourselves away we got our evening supplies and called into another alehouse, where we met up with some old chums in the sunny rear courtyard. A slow walk back to camp for tea where we were joined by James who readily agreed to relieve us of some of our grub. The show later on was well-attended, some very nice machines on display. After an anxious wait, Peter and Bump finally showed up somewhat later than expected due to Pete having to work back. We swapped some beer for wine - a move my head regretted the next morning. The night seemed to last forever. We spent most of it in camp being joined from time to time by other folk bearing gifts of beer, wine and in one case a fully lit barbecue. In return, they were not sat on.
Simon wandered off in a drunken stupor only to return for more supplies now and again. He was still missing around 3.30am when we all crashed onto our tents. Amy an Abbo Boy paid a surprise visit early on Sunday morning and great excitement was caused by news we were going to be videod for a news report on TV. So flag up, posing, riding up and around the site, during which I made a Pratt of myself by dropping the Z.
We thought fame at last, it was not to be, as nobody we know aw out on the TV. Still it always comes to those who wait. Lunchtime saw us travelling in convoy, after waiting as usual for Simon to get his arse into gear, to Masham for a beer stop at the White bear, where we found a band that had played at the rally was setting up for an afternoons free entertainment. Setting up however was a very long process- and boredom set in. Not being able to relax and drink in the sunshine didn't help much either, so it was on the road again, to Richmond to fill the tanks, this time on the bikes before we all went our separate ways home. I stopped off at the Star at Startforth and met my brother who had been car booting. He'd made about £150, but the tight bugger wasn't buying so bidding him farewell I made my way home. Another good weekend with the Wibbly Wobblies.
Dave.
Another picie of a Wibbly Wobbly member - Sooty, far left - seen here celebrating Peter Braithwaite's wedding Anniversary after the Wash & Go Run.
More members amongst all those who wanted fame by getting in on the photo shoot outside the MHU at Northallerton, on the Wash & Go Charity Run. (Crap photo, but what can yer do?)
Thanks Ash for preparing the page and whoever wrote it ta for the contribution.