Sqadron Leaders report
Sqadron leader reporting!
Twenty one intrepid souls met up at Maidstone services on the M20 VERY early yesterday (15th March--temperature MINUS 5!!) and set off for the Channel tunnel led by Terry Taylor of the SLM club. We arrived on time and were quickly herded on to the train.
Mrs Squadron leader had thoughtfully brought flasks of tea and plastic cups so most people got a swig of the hot stuff to help them thaw out. Whilst Terry had kindly pre-ordered sandwiches for those who wanted them. He even gave everyone a bakewell tart for afters. What service. On the train, introductions were made to help everyone get to know each other. The train journey went ever so quickly and we were soon off to the world war two V2 rocket making factory (which is now a museum) about 40 minutes ride away. The journey there was again well organised by Terry, who ensured that at every turn, a rider was left there as marker for the rest of the riders.
The Museum itself was prety impressive, when you consider that it was hewn out of a mound of solid rock by prisoners of war in just nine months, you cannot begin to comprehend the suffering that inevitably took place there.
Having looked around at the exhibits, watched a short film in one of the three cinemas, and then went to the ground floor and saw the wall that had two vetical strips of wood fixed to it where the prisoners were tied to it and shot, made for for some reflective thinking.
Drifting out into the sunshine and seeing twentyone bikes, (alright twenty bikes and one trike) sure brought you back to reality. around ten riders were outside waiting for the rest to come, when it became clear that if we were to get lunch under way in Boulogne in time to catch our train back, then we'd better get going,------------ Problem, half the gang were still in the other two cinemas, so Kevin Mcloud, who knew the exact address of the restaurant in Boulogne that we were going to, left anote on Terry's 'bike seat so they could catch us up and we could all eat together. It didn't happen. Ten of us took a very scenic route to Boulogne courtesy of Kev's satnav unit, and we arrived at the restaurant around three pm. We waited a short while before ordering and still their was no sign of the others. Still we thought, we'll at least all meet up again at the Euro tunnel terminal, so we tucked into a very tasty meal. It was during this meal that a very soon to be new member of the club board, in a moment of sheer rashness, some would say stupidity let slip a little secret, he disclosed that after washing his Adventurer, he blow dried his bike. Well can you imagine the laughter that went round table? poor old Malcolm, (oops I've named him now) he seemed to think that we all didit. He knows different now. So when he registers on the sight we made him promise to call himself 'blowdry' you heard it here first.Having filled our tummys, we set off from Boulogne to Calais, and just had time for a quick look around the Duty free before loading onto the train. Still no sign of the others. We began to suspect they'd been abducted by aliens. During the short ride back to blighty, handshakes all round took place and everyone wished each other well, and a safe ride home. Having re-fuelled at the train terminal )for those of us who don't have bigger tanks fitted) it was time for the blast home. Mrs Squadron Leader and me got home around 7.30, absolutely tired but happy. For anyone who thought about coming on this trip, but didn't, you missed a good 'un.
Post script. To finish the story of what happened to the rest of the group, They rode into Boulogne and got caught up in a demonstration and were unable to find us. They were late getting back to the train terminal, and caught the one after ours. This was a great shame, because Terry had put a lot of effrt into organizing this trip, and I for one would have like to have thanked him on behalf of everybody... So Terry I'll do it now, thanks a lot mate from all of us who thoroughly enjoyed our day out!
) I spoke to terry today and he is going to organise a one night stopover next time.
Stopped at Thurrock Services for a break and to fill-up - NOT a good place to be late at night.
. Here a few more pics to add on to Daves collection
