Big Andys Scootering Site

....Originally, myself and Dawn were not going to attend this rally and didn't book a caravan, but Dawns friend, Joy, from Coventry, told us we could share a caravan with her, Keith and their kids. The deciding factor was finding out that Basketcase were playing on Saturday night. How could we not go now, as Basketcase have got to be one of the best cover bands on this planet. I had booked the Friday of work but as i am off work at the moment with a bad back it didn't matter. Again the car was to be our transport for the weekend and before i get any abuse it was because 1) the engine was out of my scooter being repaired and 2) we were taking my daughter, Sophie, with us. We set of just after 10am and before long we were overtaking OAJJ & Teresa on the M1. We had to stop at one of the services as Sophie needed the toilet so we again overtook Oajj but this time we were on the A43. We had all stopped at Tot Hill Services near Newbury for a bite to eat when Teresa received a phone call telling her of severe hold ups on the M3 so we diverted along the A303 to Andover then on to Salisbury then Ringwood, arriving at Sandford Park just after 3pm. Working at the gate amongst others was Rick and his brother and after saying our hellos and being told we were on the list (OAJJ was still not on the list) we parked up near the reception where we were greeted by Dawsey and a very grumpy looking Neil from Newark. Neil was unhappy as he had lost his wallet with all his money and cards in it. We hit the bar and said our hellos to our friends inside including Mick, Dunny and Paul from Leicester, Jon AKA Tara who had recently moved to the Isle Of Wight from Liverpool and Sue & Karen from Bitter & Twisted SC. Dawn got a call from Joy to tell us they were stuck in traffic and wanted us to check in for them so we went off to get our caravan keys.
....We soon found our caravan, which was behind the outdoor pool, but were in for a pleasant surprise as Dean, Anne & tribe from Cant Start Wont Start SC were in the caravan opposite, so i went to visit and to take the mickey out of Dean, him being a Forest Fan. After we had unloaded the car we went supermarket hunting as we had forgot to get the frozen stuff out of the freezer before we left home and were soon back in our caravan with a bottle of liquid painkillers in our hands. I had deliberately stayed of my tablets so i could have a beer or three and discovered the wonderful painkilling abilities of Newcastle Brown Ale and Vodka & Orange. Before long Keith, Joy and their youngsters screamed to a halt outside and joined us in partaking in our favourite hobby, consuming alcohol.
....Sophie and Joys daughter, Danielle, went off to spend their money in the arcades and myself and Keith sat watching telly whilst waiting for the women to get ready for the nights jollities. It is one of lives great mysteries, why women take so long to get ready, but we finally left the caravan about 9:30 after finding out that the super Rams had won again, and were soon in the back room having a beer, the back room being the Northern Soul room. I said a few more hellos including to my fellow VFM collectives, Johnny Bolland and JohnsMateDave, but i soon tired of listening to Northern Soul so went of into the main room where i soon found my ii buddies. We arrived in the main room just as The Emperials from Bristol took to the stage. I hadn't seen these before but they were a really good, tight band. Apparently they used to be called The Stimalators before falling out with their lead singer so reformed under a different name and tonight was their first gig. Well, it was an excellent debut and if any one wants a good ska band they won't go far wrong booking these lads. The dance floor was a good testament to them as it was rocking from start to finish. After the Emperials were Dans People, who i had spoken to before regarding bookings. Although not quite my taste these lads are a good mod cover band and do a good cover of The Who, Small Faces, The Kinks and other Mod Bands. They also go under the name Who's Faces when they just do The Who and Small Faces. They were very good and kept the mods amongst us very happy and again the dance floor was packed.Again if its a good mod band your after these lads are one of the better ones around. Before, in-between and after the bands, Emma Cox kept us all entertained with the usual mixture of tunes. Just after midnight this lightweight retired to his caravan, being totally knackered, leaving Dawn to carry on Partying with her mates. I was though rudely awaken about 3am by Dawn who was not happy as she had been wandering around the caravan site for half an hour, trying to find our caravan.
....Next morning, after one of Dawns fabulous breakfasts, we went of to the supermarket again, dropping off brekkie and a full teapot with Rick at the gate. On our return Sophie & Danielle went swimming whilst we went to the custom show. The custom show and trade stalls were inside the main room which made it difficult to get around as the room was heaving. They perhaps would of been better to have put the scooters outside so as to give a little bit more room. The scooters in the custom show were the usual ones, all very good but once seen ...etc, i didn't even bother taking photos as i already had photos of most of them, anyway it was that packed you couldn't get a decent photo if you wanted to. The ride out left the caravan site at 1pm so i went outside to see them leave before returning to the bar and settling in for the days alcohol consuming. Martin from Basketcase turned up so i ended up showing him where to go and introducing him to Paul from Modrapheniacs.
....Keith had promised to cook tea that night so every one was tucking into lasagne except myself as i don't like it and made do with a couple of ham sandwiches. We watched the football results whilst Dawn and Joy went over the road to Michelle & Robs caravan but Dawn came back a bit upset as Rob and been taking the mickey out of her so went for an afternoon nap.
....I went down to the club at 8pm leaving Dawn asleep in bed. I didn't want to miss Basketcase playing. After popping back stage to say hello to Basketcase and having a natter i joined the ii and awaited for the band to take the stage. Basketcase took to the stage in kilts and Patch, the lead singer, was wearing a big pair of shoes he had found in the dressing room. The dance floor was a bit slow to fill up put before long was packed as Basketcase were their usual brilliant best. They sang Swords of a Thousand men, my favourite, as usual but this time didn't dedicate it to me, how rude. Patch told me after he had forgot but remembered half way through the song but by then it was to late. The second band on were Big Boss Man who were shite. I know everyone has his own opinion but honestly this band were dreadful, they totally killed the atmosphere. The organisers made a big cock up by having these two bands in the order they were. Basketcase should have been on last as they are a party band and get the crowd going. Again Emma Cox was spinning the discs around the bands playing. I lasted a bit longer that night but eventually went off to bed about 1:30am.
....We were up out of bed about 9am on Sunday and soon had the car packed and saying our goodbyes, even though all our roomies were still in bed. So after waking everyone up we set off for the 200+ miles back home. Both dawn and myself were so glad we had decided to come as we both had a great time. Modrapheniacs had again put on a great weekend but it would not off been the same without the company we had over the weekend, they are the ones who make it what it is. So big thank-you's go to all of the Modrapheniacs, to all the ii for their company, to Joy and Keith for putting us up for the weekend and lastly to Dawn.
....The next rally we are planning on attending is Skegness, but we might, just might make an appearance in Tenby. Till then 

SAFE SCOOTERING
BIG ANDY

PHOTOS