Saturday, August 8, 2009

The Whitley Bay Experience - or "Smoke Signals from Northern England"

As mentioned in our last post Readers we have travelled through Northern England to the town of Whitley Bay. We are devoting an entire post to this "experience" as in Dorothy's own words "we would never chosen to have stayed in a place like that - I would have made Phillip reverse out the drive and keep on going...." but we are very glad we did!
Our rally information states "Whitley Bay is famous for its wild nights out, with visitors from all over England coming for a big party night out". Yes readers, this is Bucks' and Hens' favourite party spot and do they party!






Not to be outdone, the Indian Invaders put effort into their partying and as you can see fitted right in. The Avalon Bar and Hotel where we stayed is in the main party street of Whitley Bay, South Parade. We Aussies think these poms are strange.... the girls and boys come out to play at about 5pm - staggering along the streets in their party attire (which they have put considerable time and money into preparing - and what results!!!!!!!!! We have never seen such expanses of wobbling flesh, cleavage or heels so high). They chant and yell for about 6 or 7 hours and by midnight they have finished throwing up in the street or canoodling down a side street and literally, the place grinds to a halt by midnight. Weird. The bars are empty by 1am except for a couple of live music venues and then the curfew is 2am. At times we thought it was safer to stay behind the fence of our accomodation rather than venture onto the street!

Conor and our host





Leaving the Avalon wearing our new black Tshirts

We did do some sight seeing during our 2 night stay in this party paradise. Many of our group took the opportunity to ride to see the plethora of castles in the area - the Harry Potter castle where the Quidditch matches are filmed - Alnwick Castle and several others.
Others chose to swim in the North Sea or just wander around the town.

John also took some of us on a tour of the Life Brigade Watch House at Tynemouth where he is alongstanding volunteer.

We bid farewell to Whitley Bay to traveled south through Whitby (where the series "Heartbeat" was filmed) and over the moors to York.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Our Last Night in England - Dorothy's Scotland Indian song

Since the last missive Faithful Blog Followers we have ridden through Scotland and Northern England, savouring the sites and sights of this vast land.......
Todays post gives you the next verses in Dorothy's Ode to The Tour.
Do Enjoy (remember you sing this to the tune of "Running Bear"

Rising early to meet the sunrise,
Coming up from the Irish Sea.
Tied the Ponies to the masthead,
Went scouting for some tea.

Big Chief John was at the ferry,
He’s not a Clansman or a Scot.
Led us through the Galloway Forest,
To Traquair House the Sacred spot.


(REFRAIN)
IMCA LOVES RIDIN’ INDIANS
WITH A LOVE AS BIG AS THE SKY
IMCA LOVES RIDIN’ INDIANS
AND THEY WILL UNTIL THEY DIE


Took the Lodgepole from the forest,
Took the Haggis from the can.
Made our camp amongst the nettles,
In the home of the Scottish Clan.

Many Braves and many Warriors,
But no leaders, just a CLOWN!
Squaws were left to build the Teepees,
The Big Chief had gone to TOWN!


(REFRAIN)
IMCA LOVES RIDIN’ INDIANS
WITH A LOVE AS BIG AS THE SKY
IMCA LOVES RIDIN’ INDIANS
AND THEY WILL UNTIL THEY DIE


Put the Pig upon the spit
Roast it long and roast it slow.
Fed it to the Indian Nation,
Cause there was no BUFFALO!

Old indian pow wow was a washout,
And the dunnies overflowed.
Rounded up the Tribe in Peebles
Aussie Indians hit the ROAD!


(REFRAIN)
IMCA LOVES RIDIN’ INDIANS
WITH A LOVE AS BIG AS THE SKY
IMCA LOVES RIDIN’ INDIANS
AND THEY WILL UNTIL THEY DIE


Was there a Campsite or a Teepee,
No one really knew for sure.
Was there a Scout or a Marshall?
Were they at War or just on Tour?

In the Glens they say it’s rainy,
But the Warriors had no fear.
Moving up and down the Heather
Most Cheifs in SECOND GEAR!


(REFRAIN)
IMCA LOVES RIDIN’ INDIANS
WITH A LOVE AS BIG AS THE SKY
IMCA LOVES RIDIN’ INDIANS
AND THEY WILL UNTIL THEY DIE


The Isle of Skye in the morning
When the Mist lies on the moor
Made for breath taking ridin’
No Brave had done before.

From Loch Ness to Loch Lomond
Past a castle and a tiny hamlet.
Scottish Highlands and the gloamin’
Aussie Indians will never Forget!!


(REFRAIN)
IMCA LOVES RIDIN’ INDIANS
WITH A LOVE AS BIG AS THE SKY
IMCA LOVES RIDIN’ INDIANS
AND THEY WILL UNTIL THEY DIE

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Friends who travelled with us

At the English/ Scottish border - Friday 31 July 2009




Eva-Kristine and Halvor/ 1944 Chief "Blue Smoke"





Rolly/Nimbus







Claude/ 1940 Chief




Frankie / BMW


Tim/ 1928 Scout








Tim/ BV1











Red Fred and Regina/ 1950 Chief











Toney and Debbie/ 1950 Chief














Highland Highlights from Gerrard, Ron and Neville




Highlights of the Highland Tour - Peter and Toni and Tess


Saturday, August 1, 2009

The Highland Tour - as told by Brett, Sue and Mick, Merredith and Frank



Aussie Invaders Pictorial

Here are the Aussie Invaders and their bikes

Mick and Sue/ 1944 Chief

Chris Horner/ 1948 Chief (look hard - he is kneeling down fixing his bike)







Lyndel/ 1934 Standard Scout

Merredith/ 741








Frank S/ 1944 Chief


Brett/ 1947 Chief


Steve/ 1947 Chief

Dave/ 1938 Chief




Peter/ 1947 Chief
Sharon/ 1953 Chief









Sloth/ 1948 Chief

Peter and Mason/ Vindian

Conor/ 1944 Chief


Gerrard and Tess/ 1945 Chief









Annie, Rachel, Stella/ "Mafia Staff Car"




Hannah, Mason, Toni/ "Mafia Staff Car"








Ron/ BV2
Dugal and Daniel/"Elvis" - 1951 Chief Phillip and Dorothy/ "CHIPS" - 1952 Chief




Neville/ 1951 Chief
Heath and Phil/ Indian Vincent (helmets only)