Last time we spoke Dear Readers we were leaving the Sunny Isle of Ireland… yes we are now in Sunny Scotland…. Well, yesterday it was sunny but today,at the time of writing but not yet posting this blog - Sunday, it has been overcast and drizzling. What have we done since we last corresponded? Read on and find out!Seven Tirty Tursday morning (I have been working on my Irish speaking as you can read!) our band of intrepid travelers boarded the ferry from Belfast en route to Stranraer Scotland. This meant we had to be at our bikes at 6:00am ready to push them out of the carpark of the Welllington Park Hotel and fire them up in the street so as not to wake the sleeping inhabitants of our last and most splendid Irish Hotel! Off we went to line up at the ferry – a little bit of a hiccup with the bookings for the ferry with Merredith not on the list (originally booked with Frank in the sidecar). Our leader – Parker. JM, sorted this out and we all sailed off eastward to Scotland. The morning was overcast but not our spirits. As you saw in the last missive we had a spectacular night of entertainment and frivolity on Wednesday night – and this was made all the better by everyone taking the opportunity to launder to the max at the local “wash-house”. Phil P, again, led the way to a clean body and soul – go you good Phil.
Landing in Scotland approx. 11/2 hours later we were met by our English Tour Guide, John Wright. Now readers, if you don’t know John, he is 6 foot tall and rides a 741….. and that little machine goes and goes. We took a little while to regroup, exchange our Euros for Scottish Pounds, buy a few supplies at the local Tesco and headed off across the Moors, along the A75 and then via Dunfries, Moffat and finally to Inner Leithan and the rally at Traquair House, arriving at the rally site at about 3:00pm.
The site of the rally is Traquair House - the oldest inhabited house inScotland - built in the 18th century with direct links to Mary Queen of Scotts - amazing to see.
Highlights of that leg – Brett thought he had an “off road Indian” and headed off onto the verge and nearly into the ditch!!!!!!!!! Observers say he went to sleep, but Brett maintains he was bored with going straight on the main road and wanted a little bit of a change…. Jorgen did not put his hand up to do Brett’s washing the next day. Also many of the group got confused about the speed limit getting kilometres and miles mixed up. The mob had another pub lunch at New Galloway – again we sampled the steak and ale pies but this time Scampi was on the menu and many of the party had a feed of the local shell fish.
We rode through fabulous countryside on the way, stopping at a National Trust Site that was a very hard uphill climb for those who wanted to. Item of interest there - remains of an Iron Age Fort 900 AD. 
Arriving at the rally site, the mob found a very ambient place to camp and set up tents – right next to Garry Stark and his camper and generator! Peter B lasted a day before asking Garry to stop running it late at night. By this time Steve K and Dave Fisher had arrived – being dropped at the rally site by the publican of the local hotel – the Traquair Arms. Readers, please note, that Dave presented at the rally site with a hard sided suitcase on wheels…. What a site to see him drag it across the pitte
d landscape of this cow paddock they called the campsite.
Campsite set up, the group set about sorting out food for the evening and a fire to keep warm. 
Jim and Lyndel (injured) and Jorgen and Katarina went into Traquair to get a room at the beforementioned hotel with Brett and Phil P and Heath headed off to Peebles for their 2 star accom. Dorothy and Merredith took a short walk into Inner Leithen – which Dear Readers – was not short as it took them about 1 hour and they were quite over it when they got to the Co-op to buy the supplies. Others from the campsite came into town and shopped and merriment and gaiety abounded around the Aussie fireside campsite that night.Friday the campers awoke to wetness underfoot but a clearing sky. Breakfast was in town at the local café for many and a walk around the township.
A ride around the local area was in order and a visit to Peebles found shops, pubs and petrol. A little hiccup with the rally entry with not enough entry passes being issued to the Aussies – Toni worked hard to get things sorted and finally, between her and Jim, all Australians and our British compatriots were allowed entry to the Official Rally Site. Dinner that night was Morrocan Chicken – and a tasty dish it was too. A band played until late and happy campers retired in their luxury accommodation. One down note to the location of the camping – not enough flushing toilets with handwashing facilities – however the 2 showers that were provided for the 400+ campers were apparently very good – Toni was able to wash both kids and herself every day. This correspondent does note however that Steve Kavanaugh is looking a little brown around the edges leading me to think he has not yet availed himself of this luxury amenity.Saturday started sunny and remained reasonable for the day, weather- wise. This was the official start to the Rally and there was a ride scheduled to start at 12noon. Many of the Australian party went back into Peebles to refuel and were ready just after 12 for the start.
A photo shoot of the rally entrants was taken a little earlier and when done we all suited up to leave. Unfortunately for us with foot clutches the road out of the field where we had taken the large group photo was a steep incline with speed humps for excitement. Over 150 Indians up that hill together was not much fun for your Correspondent and so by the time we got on the road many ralliers were a little frazzled. The more domestic members of the campsite returned to Peelbles and bought up every camp chair in the town and had a decent cup of coffee....
The ride wended its way through some very scenic countryside to a small village called Pencaitland – where there was, yes dear Reader, yet ANOTHER distillery. Unfortunately there was no café to speak of and certainly no pub so the Aussie contingent left without the tour (seen one you’ve seen them all) and went off looking for food and ale. Hadddington was recommended and so Lyndel, Jim and Brett took off with the rest in tow – they did not keep up the pace and turned back to Peebles where they watered and fed. Pete B found the original 3 at the “Old Plough Inn” eating the specials of the day but was 15 minutes too late for a feed. The cook had left at 2.05pm and there wasn’t even any desserts available for Pete the Sweet Tooth. We fuelled and had a great ride home arriving back about 4ish ready to submit our machines for the Judging Competition. For this effort the Australian party was awarded the "Longest Distance Travelled" and Pete B's Vindian won the "People's Choice Award" - talk at present is that the vote was rigged with very australian handwriting to be found on every voting slip..... NEVER!
The program for the rally was not well followed and the general feeling was one of disorganization – but the Aussie camp will never let a problem get in the way of a good time and after that night’s dinner of Chile con Carne or Vegie Lasagna the gang retired to the campsite – some stayed around to see the burlesque show – a Turkish belly dancer and 2 bands – one band being that of Alan Forbes, the rally organizer. A little more rain that night but again, no spirits dampened. Some of the Aussie contingent dined in town at the hotel they were staying at and that also was enjoyed by them.
Sunday was a wet day, all day….. Most travelers took the opportunity to do as little as possible – the Birthisel Clan went into Peebles, Lyndel and Jim stayed around Inner Leithen, others went into Peebles in the back of the van and just looked around the shops. There was an official ride but after the mess of the day before we did not feel enthused about going. Good day to rest! A Hog Roast had been advertised during the Rally and so that was dinner for Sunday night for the valiant campers. And that was the end of the Official “Old Indians Never Die” Rally. Now for the Highland Tour!!!!
Hearing that Fintan was feeling poorlyafter returning home his brother Conor went down in sympathy and developed a temperature, aches and pains and felt generally disgusting. (We think Fintan felt rotten because he had to go to work!) Peter B has also had a few bad days as well as Daniel James and Stella Barker. Dugal got a B&B for Daniel on Sunday night – Conor took a room too. Good to see all feel better if not best today. Final Note: Tess took a turn of Bottle Flu on Saturday after eating some “bad fish” Friday night – she claims she did not drink a lot but I just saw Gerrard roll his eyes when she said that!!!!!!
Editor's Note: No member of the Indian Tour has, or has ever had, contact with or symptoms of any recent world pandemic illness - Australians have a very unusual sense of humour and all correspondence published is done so in the best of intentions and fun, fun, fun.
