The review ..

Only 4 of us travelled through for this, was meant to be 5 but a combination of rain and a hangover deterred the fifth. We left on the Saturday and saw some scooters at Harthill so we knew at least there would be at least some more there. Although they were on Lambrettas so perhaps not. There had been some interweb rumblings about a boycott on this one as it wasn’t run by a club and was sandwiched on a weekend between 2 club rallies. Also the price increase last year didn’t go down well but the price was reduced for this weekend. My personal view is that Millport has been running from a time when there wasn’t a lot else on in Scotland and for the majority of those bar the early years run by the same person. We were all grateful for it then. Should it stop now because there are more things on, run by clubs? Some people I feel will get their wish as I fear 2007 could be the end.

Anyway, back to the plot, our scoot down was dominated by rain, i.e. it never stopped, not once and even a quick petrol stop for a red bull and a glove ring out didn’t raise the spirits much. There were a few other Ayrshire scooters at the terry ferminal and after dishing out 10 pints worth of drink money for the short ferry journey we were off, at least the regularity of the Millport ferry meant we didn’t have to wait long in the rain. When the ferry started moving the huge puddle of water which had gathered on the ramps poured down on whose scooter, yep mine. Just glad I wasn’t sitting on it.

A couple of us had tents but we really weren’t fancying it. Mr Cape stopped us as we were driving about looking for somewhere to stay as we were wet right through and I’ll use this moment to describe what he done for us bearing in mind the stick he’s been taking re this rally. He found us a launderette to use and squared it with the owner, he drove about the town to get us somewhere to stay, put on free drinks in the town hall to make up for the conditions, only charged us half price (remember it had already been reduced), promised us a lift back to the digs after the do as it was on the edge of town. Only thing missing was a free fish supper from his shop!

So, after an hour in the launderette having to look at Graeme and Mr S sitting on the benches like a scene from that Levis advert we were dry, we soon got settled into the digs (only to find it had a big tumble dryer) we were soon at the town hall for the free beer. Davie P’s old Vespa 90 had been resprayed and was being raffled so we all bought a few tickets but Mr P with a few tears in his eye bought about 500. Didn’t win though. We checked out the few stalls and Mr S stuck his scooter in the custom show which was being held outside. Fed up with mingling with people with dirty feet (pink sandals, you know who you are), you know the ones from the campsite we headed off to do a few pubs. It was obviously not going to be a big turnout but that left more beer for us. The downside to this is that it’s hard to avoid people and before long Niffy and Ali had joined us. Mr S caught up with us after taking Electric Blue and its 2 trophies back to digs. Monty, Heather & kids completed our happy wee group and a good laugh was had by all.

After carrying a rugrat all the way to the town hall for the evenings do I was ready for a drink and for the first Millport ever I was served straight away at the bar. We even got a seat with a table. Superb. I reckon there was pushing 150 there. I’ve driven 400+ miles to a CCI rally in Lowestoft before for there to only be 20 people in the do so 150 was a nice number. It was a good night, music was good, the band, local (for us) The Law played a good set considering we were boozing in the pub with them minutes before they were due on. I would say everybody was having a good time as the atmosphere was good but alas, before long it was all over. Stewart Cape true to his word had us dropped off at our digs courtesy of his good lady.

Sunday, a dry day. I even discarded the waterproofs. We took the back road home through Glasgow. At one stage I had a police car up my bum and watched intently as Mr S just in front of me was tailgaiting a car in front of him going through a 30 itching to overtake, I remember thinking, don't do it, don't do it. But he did. I'm sure they sat behind me waiting for me to move as well and when I looked round to see what they were up to they knew, I knew they were there so they left me and off they went blue lights flashing, for some reason Mr P and Mr L (names have been disguised didn't want to stop and kept going so Mr S was left to fight the law on his own, to be fair he only got a lecture about how coming off "one of these things" would be quite sore. Oh and the weekend wouldn’t be complete without a Lambretta breakdown. Step forward Davie P. Still wasn’t far from home and miraculously Graeme made it there and back. Things are looking up.

Summary, really enjoyed myself, I think we all did. It’s a shame the way things work out, Stewart would have lost money no doubt. He also told me how much he made last year and he won’t be retiring any time soon.

Cheers from us anyway Stu for all your efforts.

Al Bundy