25 August
Newcomers day.
Our practise session was called off. So we were mooching round the paddock. Roger
Maher had created a beast of a C90 with an exclusive viewing which just needed test driving. As I clambered aboard and
we sped off I did wonder for a fraction of a second whether I needed a helmet but the chair (fold up) was quite secure.
Off we went round the paddock with Roger attempting wheelies outside the shops. I admit I did scream with Roger shouting
"you scream like a girl" I replied "I am a girl".
As we entered the day paddock which was a mud pit the trusty C90 ploughed on taking the corner
speedway style by the Dyno facilities. I think we surprised a few people as we sped past (probably only 10 mph but trust
me that high up on a fold up chair and on those tyres it was fast enough).
We
slowed back in the paddock and as we drew back to the awning Roger wheeled the C90. Over we went landing like a pile
of washing and smashing the rear light. The fold up chair folded up and I couldn't get out of it for laughing.
Hanging around the paddock with nothing to do is more dangerous than riding.
Roger
rode off to do running repairs and was back again in no time. The second test pilot was Huddy. More wheelies were
tried within a few yards and the two of them impressively balanced the bike for a few feet before they both ended up on the
floor in fits of laughter.
Roger parked up and then Im afraid we nicked
the bike later and hid it behind the motorhome which was a bit naughty but we did let Andrew Neil in on it as it was
his bike.
24 August
A
very quiet paddock down our end this morning. I was out with the dogs and was asked to organise the Newcomers briefing,
re pitstops. The way I was feeling at the time there was no way I was going to get in my leathers let alone ride a bike.
After a quick confab with Russ Henley we roped Stuey Bainborough into the riding bit and I was pit bitch.
I have to say we did the "don't do it this way" quite well. Russ and
I were chatting when Stuey came in and overshot the pit bay. We didn't help him back, we just stood looking at him
and hurling abuse. We couldn't find the key for the fuel cap as I had it in my pocket, I moaned about the windowlene
being not very good and when Russ got abusive I sprayed him in the face with it and had a tantrum. All in all it probably
would have taken 2-3 minutes.
The "do it this way" was slicker
though. We organised who was doing what. The mobiles were put away and the hair was clipped up. Game on!
We waved Stuey in, fuelled the bike, gave him a drink, cleaned the visor and screen and he was gone in super fast time.
By this time the gang had got going and there were some pale faces around the paddock. We
grabbed some food and had a laugh then got ready for the Marshals Supper.
Its
nice to show appreciation to the orange army and we'd bought a few bits for the raffle. I failed miserably at the
stand up bingo and escaped the Karioke although James and Carolynn have missed a vocation and should get lined up for X Factor.
23 August
I have to give a big thank you to
Jimmy and Darran Creer, Dennis Booth and Roger Maher who all gave me a hand last night in Huddy's absence. Thanks
very much boys.
The Island weather continued true to form and is as changeable
as ever!
There's another opportunity to get out tonight but I don't
think it will go and am making plans now. Ive done another lap in the van to brush up and get some more confidence in
a few areas. Thanks Duckmeister!
Tubby tried really hard to get us
practice going again tonight but the mountain wasn't playing. By the time I got to the Creg for tea I coundnt see
Kate's Cottage so there was no way it was going ahead.
Had a cracking
night with Carolynn Roger Damon the McCullagh Gang and Team MBR. Blue WKD and Champagne is nice Ive named it AvGas.
