With our up coming trial at Flea bay fast approaching we thought it an opportune time to introduce a new feature to the website. Allan Honeybone has given us some old Megaphones from the 70's, 80's and 90's and each month we will feature a story from one of them and post the newsletter in it's original form on the Megaphone Page.
This month we feature a story about Flea Bay which is dear to my heart as I was involved in it. It also goes to show that trials can sometimes be more about the people and the places than the motorbikes!! Maybe that's what keeps me coming back. And talking off coming back; will we see a return to Flea Bay by "The Five"
FIVE GO CAMPING
Destination:- Flea Bay
Estimated Time of Arrival:- 6 p.m.
7.00 p.m. Nick, Pete and Shane assembling motorcycle at Nick’s place.
Derek assembling motorcycle at Derek’s place.
Glenn still at work.
7.30 p.m. Glenn finishes work, Derek has cuppa with Lynley at Glenn’s place.
Nick, Pete and Shane still assembling motorcycle at Nick’s place.
8.30 p.m. Hamburgers for tea at Halswell for D and G.
8.32p.m. Hamburgers for tea at Halswell for N, P and S.
9.30 p.m. Brakes fail on Rover.
9.35 p.m. Arrive Akaroa…………….Fast
Take medicinal drink at Grand and phoned Francis so he wouldn’t worry!?!
11.00 p.m. Leave Grand for Flea bay. Too Cold to ride.
11.30 p.m. Arrive Flea Bay ……………Fast………Very Fast.
We’re early for a change!
Unfortunately the sun had already gone down but we’d been camping before, so putting up the tent wasn’t much of a problem.
Lighting the campfire on the other hand did prove to be difficult; matches would’ve been the answer, if we’d had some.
PICK THE ODD ONE OUT?
1) Matches
2) Car cigarette lighter
3) Glenn’s Bike.
Answer:- Number Two. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot light a campfire with one of these.
Next morning we were up with the sound of a bird (a sparrow), and after a great breakfast, we dismantled and reassembled Nick’s bike remembering to tighten all the bolts this time. We also made major modifications to Derek’s kick start lever. After what was a really great lunch we realised we didn’t have enough petrol and upon careful consideration it was decided a car with no brakes was safer without petrol as well.
That afternoon four of us went riding and Derek worked on his Monty for a few hours, stealing some bits off cars while no-one was watching, he finally got it running beautifully. He was very proud of himself and it was a real shame it wouldn’t go into gear.
About 5 pm some friends arrived and it was decided to borrow Francis’s boat and go diving. Some of us couldn’t understand why they needed a ship to go swimming so close to shore and we were sure most divers normally leave their ships on the surface when they go under.
Tea at the Grand that evening wasn’t too bad, Jean arrived with some disc pads and people to play drinking games with. Fun was had by all and we certainly kept the locals entertained. We left the pub before it closed (or was that before it reopened) and said goodbye to the girls and Pete’s trousers and headed back over the hill.
New Game “Catch a Rabbit”
Final score : Home Team (Rabbits) 3 Visitors (Us) 1.
We were surprised the next day to find Nick hadn’t broken any bones, but weren’t surprised to hear he had lost his watch and ripped his expensive and very trendy shirt. After another great breakfast Pete went to search for Nicks watch and found it in a very deep hole, just off the side of the road (lucky Nick) and while some of us fitted the disc pads to the Rover, Derek dismantled and reassembled his bike several times without much success. Then after another excellent meal four of us went riding with Francis, Derek went for a run and Pete’s battery went on charge. (Who left the key on?).
We packed up about 4pm and headed home stopping only briefly to help the Accord pull the trailer up the hill.
A lot of fun (and some good food) was had by all.
Thanks again Francis for your hospitality.
To see the Complete newsletter from August 1987 go to the Megaphone Page