Big Andys Scootering Site

Having been unable to get Good Friday off, despite it being a bank holiday, Dawn and myself set off for Great Yarmouth just before 4pm. Our route was to take us along the M1 then the A14 past Cambridge and onto the A11 to Norwich before picking up the A46 to 'Yarmuff.' We arrived in Yarmuff just after 7pm and set about looking for our Digs which Johnny Bolland had booked for us. He couldn't get us into the main B&B as it was full so we were next door in the over spill hotel. Originally we were not arriving untill Saturday as at work we normally had to work Saturday morning but due to this new working directive we were no longer going to have to, so when i found out i contact Mr Bolland and told him to change our booking. To our horror our landlady told us we were not booked in untill Saturday and she had let our room out for Friday night. I rang Johnny and he told me he had definitely told her we were coming a day early. Our landlady then set about ringing a few other B&B's to see if they had any room for us for one night, but had no luck. She told us she had a spare single room free for that night and if we wanted it she would only charge for one, so rather than being in the street over night we took her up on her offer. To be fair she couldn't do enough to help us and for that we were most grateful, She even but a small mattress in the room for one of us to sleep on.

Sleeping arrangements sorted it was time to amble along to the first pub, The Long Bar, which conveniently was just around the corner. We were soon in the company of some of the Mansfield Monsters as well as the Tony `1 shirt,' Mark and Moxey and the Worcester Lambretta mad mob. Also sat in there was the twins, Steve and Danny, Steve for some reason was having his hair cut whilst in the pub. Dawn also met up with Joy from coventry. From here we strolled along the seafront to The Boston bar where met up with OAJJ, Teresa, Taxi, Jimmy Jazz, Mick, Dunny, Curtis & Liam and Rob and Angel of the ii lot. Also in there was Rudy whom i hadn't seen since his wedding day and Crash and Donna who were with Dave Porter and Fi. From there we went across the road to the Marina for the main do. Appearing tonight were Spear Of Destiny who i hadn't seen before and but i knew they must be good because they had enticed Mr anti VFM* man, Jimmy Jazz, to come over and part with his cash. We also saw Karl & Marie, Dawsey, BigN and Rita and her hubby from the ii inside as well. Spear of Destiny took to the stage and were brilliant, i really enjoyed them. They were loud and intense, keeping the dance floor full with everyone enjoying the pushing and shoving as they danced. When they had finished the usual VFM* DJ's, Wigan Tim, Evo and Disco Daz took over playing the usual good mix of rally favourites.

After breakfast Saturday morning we walked with Lobby down to the Marina for the Custom Show. There was a fair queue outside by the time we got there but past the time away waiting to get in by talking to all and sundry. I was taken aback when we got to the front and we were told it was £4 entry fee. This in my opinion is too much and i also think that Kev Walsh is ripping of us scooterists but it will be us, the VFM* collective, that will take all the flack for it. Within 5 minutes of being inside i had had my ear chewed off by several people. Kev should charge the trade stalls a bit more and the paying punter a bit less, after all its the trade stalls that are making the money. Also i think it is wrong that LCGB members get a £1 discount as it is not a LCGB event, it is Kev Walsh promotions event, so those of us that ride Vespa's or have not joined the LCGB are been discriminated against. Had the charge been £3 it would have been a lot better, after all if all you wanted was a patch it was going to cost you £5.50. Rant over (for now) we left the rip off show, sorry custom show and headed over to the Boston bar and met up with the ii mob and partook in a few beers. Just before 3pm most people disappeared to the pubs that were showing England play N. Ireland, so Dawn and myself went to get something to eat then went back to our B&B for a `kip.'

All refreshed we set off back to Bostons to meet up with Mod Paula, Joy and Mo who had rang Dawn to say that they had arrived and for us to go and have a drink with them. We were stopped at the door and told that as All Mod Cons were playing inside it was a fiver to get in. Now normally i would pay it but as we were only going in for 15 minutes we walked on to the `Smack' before reporting for duty at the Marina. Dawn was working on the door tonight and i was doing my normal bit. Appearing tonight were `The Affair,' which most will know are not really my cup of tea, especially as they had let a good mate of mine down last month by pulling out of a gig with 24 hours notice. Yes, i know i booked them last year for Brewers droop but i booked them for the punters and not for me. The most amazing thing that night was that Jimmy `i hate VFM*' Jazz had graced us with his presence again, i'm sure i'm mellowing him. Before he left though, he decided to give me a big bear hug and lift me up, a feat normally requiring a crane or JCB. Unfortunately i had been suffering a bit with a bad back and Jimmy had just made it worse.

At the end of the night i went round trying to get everyone out and said to most of them "come on, you've not paid top dollar for you're B&B's just to sit in here all night, especially as we've got an hour less tonight." There was a couple of young lads sat near the door, one of which was oriental looking and i said the same to him. He replied "you wouldn't say that to a white man." Not taking him seriously i just said "I would and i have, now make you're way out please." Once the room was empty, myself and Dawn walked out with the last few punters as all the VFM* collective had already left. As we were leaving the oriental lad and his mate were walking back in, so i stopped him and pointed to the door. He asked for my manager, so chuckled to myself and told him he had already left. Why did he want him? He said he was upset with my racist remark. WHAT F*****G RACIST REMARK! He repeated what i said about B&B's to which i asked what was racist about that. I was trying very hard by now not to lose my patience with him. He told me as he was local he didn't have a B&B to which i asked him how was i know he was f*****g local, had he got it tattooed on his forehead. At this point i lost my patience with him and went for him, mainly just to throw him out as he was being an arse hole. A couple of the punters who were still there, as well as a couple of the bar staff, took me back into the room to calm me down. The Bar staff told he was local and that his girlfriend had dumped him that night, to which i remarked i would complete his night for him if he carried on. Dawn came in to tell us he had left so i calmed down and left myself. To be honest i was bloody fuming, 1) because he was a total arse hole and 2) because i had been left on my own, had he been with a few mates i would have been in trouble.

We both had a lie in on Sunday before going down to the `Smack.' The VFM* collective were meeting there at 12 noon but we got there about 1pm. Some of the collective were in there as were the ii mob so we sat down with the ii and partook in a few more beers, although Teresa thought it better for me to wear the beer rather than drink it. I had woken that morning to severe back pain but i chucked a couple of pain killers down my neck and soldiered on. From here we went to Bostons where we saw Crash, Donna, Dave & Fi who joined us for a few more beers. From there everyone left for the Pier Bar where there was some karaoke but we remained in Bostons, promising to catch up but never making it, going for some food instead.

Sunday night was party night in Rosie's Bar and we met up with everyone in there, even Hammy from Nuneaton Pacemakers had made it out that night after being in bed bad all Saturday night, although by this time my back was agony, so i sat quietly and watched everyone enjoying themselves whilst hardly able to move without being in pain. We remained there untill near the end then said our goodbyes and retired to bed.

On The Whole, this had been a great weekend, spent with great people and more importantly Dawn had really enjoyed herself. So we move on now and the next rally i will be attending is Modrapheniacs in 3 weeks time, so untill then

SAFE SCOOTERING
BIG ANDY

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