Today marked day 1 of my "Round Britain Rally". Having recently purchased D727AJF, an aging but looked after steed from the Kawasaki stable I was looking for reasons, as if any are needed, to throw my leg over, hit the starter button, and ride off into the sunset. On one fateful day, a friend of mine pulled up on his PC800. We had arranged a day trip to Stratford Upon Avon. With him, was a copy of Motorcycle Voyager, which contained an article about the Round Britain Rally. Having read the article I knew that I would apply. Okay, the rally runs April to October but I wasn’t going to miss out on the opportunities of pushing my starter button, and seeing some of Britain.

So, day 1 looms. Many hours had already been spent drooling over a road atlas of Britain armed with post-it notes and a pen. Routes were planned and the Internet utilised. Finally, I was ready. 7am Sunday 29^th of June, and with a little choke the engine fires. The unmistakable rumbling of the big Kawasaki’s 4-cylinder engine fills the air. Deep breathe and away we go. We have destinations of;

1. West Malling ( a waterfall )
2. Canvey Island ( memorial to the floods of 1953)
3. Orford Castle
4. Elveden ( King George V Silver Jubilee Memorial Stone)
5. Flitton ( De Grey Mausoleum )

A quick visit and photograph at each of these would bag us 95 points. I had considered this to be achievable and a good start. So off we were, heading to the M1. Even before we got to J13 we encountered the 1^st problem, namely hunger. Yes, I had been so excited to leave I had forgotten my breakfast. Quick nip into petrol station and a Boost did the job. We were on our way. M1 followed by M25 was finally upstaged by the Dartford Crossing, now free to motorcyclists. Going over the bridge brought back memories of times worked at a shipping company in Grays. Looking to the right of the bridge was the Cobelfret vessel and to the left, the Dartline vessel. Having gone through the tolls I could now concentrate of pastures new. Looking for the A20. Yes, its here. Follow now until West Malling, and more specifically, Town Hill leading to Swan Street. Having missed Swan Street once, it was located at the 2^nd attempt. Now, easy does it, where is the waterfall. Nowhere, came the answer. I had missed it. Another circuit of this very pretty town brought me back to Swan Street.

This time I would not be beaten. I parked the bike, removed the helmet and listened. Running water. Slowly, like a hunter stalking its prey, I approached. The sound became louder and louder. Finally, I turned the corner and I was looking at the landmark, face to face. 25 points were to be mine. I just had to walk back to the bike and position it in front of the waterfall, ready for the all-important photograph. I’m sure the bike smiled. Anyway, the first landmark was seen, leaving 4 to find.

Next on the hit list was Canvey Island. A memorial to the 1953 floods was the target. So back we go onto the M25, through the Dartford Tunnel and onto the A13. Pretty straightforward until Canvey Island itself. Not knowing where this memorial was to be found, I headed in the general direction of Canvey Point. Logic told me that this would be a good place to start. So we trundled towards the Point, passing several newsagents, the locations of which were stored in the memory should I need assistance, and I did. Off the bike, and remove the helmet. I ask the question of the chap behind the counter. Had he heard of the Memorial? A puzzled look and scratching of the head ensued. I was on my own. A quick sniff of the air and I was off, following my trusty nose. I was heading for the sea front and the amusement arcades. Surely someone would know something. Another person asked, but again to no avail. I was starting to doubt that I would locate this memorial. Just as hope was ebbing away, I glanced along the coastline and saw a planted garden in the middle of a field. Maybe, just maybe, this would be it. Parking the bike in a suitable position, I ventured towards this garden. In the middle was a stone. The inscription was, "in memory of the floods of 1953". Out with the camera and more points were bagged. I had seen a memorial that many locals didn’t know existed.

Next up was Orford Castle. This landmark is well marked on any road atlas, so I felt confident that I would claim this landmark without fuss. A130, A12 and heading Northwards and Eastwards. Ipswich was bypassed and the magnificent Orwell Bridge crossed. Head up to Woodbridge and then onto the minor roads, through the Rendlesham Forest and into Orford. The Castle was in view from a couple of miles away, so road signs were not used. Into the car park and into the parking spot that must have been left free for any Round Britain Rally entrants. Side stand engaged and jacket off. The sun was getting hot, and the sky was blue. This would make for a very nice picture. A digital click or 2 and we now had 3 landmarks under our belt. The feeling was good. The flask of coffee hastily made in the morning was now opened. Life was good. The bike, the sun, the coffee, all with the backdrop of an Englishman’s’ castle. Time to concentrate on landmark 4.

King George V Silver Jubilee Memorial Stone. I couldn’t see it on any road atlas and the Internet had drawn a blank. Never mind, with half a tank of petrol I was off, heading back to the A12 and subsequently the A14 heading west. Bury St. Edmunds was the target. Then onto the A134 heading Thetford, with the intention then of joining the All. I knew of the War Memorial on the A11 near Elveden. Could this also be the one I was looking for? Anyway, I turned onto the A134 only to then be diverted onto the B1106. Not a problem, I thought, as this road headed to Elveden. I hadn’t been looking at the fuel gauge. Reading EMPTY. Dropping the revs and ambling along in top gear I am now beginning to sweat, and not because of the leathers and sunshine.

At over 250 kilos the big Kwak is too heavy to push. I must find fuel. Through Thetford Forest I go passing what looks like a brick chimney about 8’ tall to my left. I don’t investigate but press on in the search of fuel. Right onto the A11 heading to Thetford. At last, the tank is filled. I ask at the kiosk if they know of the memorial. Yes they did, it was on the main A11 past Elveden. I had my doubts but pushed on anyway. Arriving at the War memorial I parked in the southbound lay-by. If you have played the arcade game Frogger, you will understand the problem of getting across to the northbound side of the All without being flattened. This is one very busy stretch of single lane A road. Eventually I crossed, only to experience disappointment. As feared this was not what I was looking for. I got back to my bike and decided to make one loop of some B roads back to the B1106. Going through Thetford Forest my mind couldn’t help take in its beauty. If only my wife was on the pillion so we could more deeply explore its beauty. Turning left onto the B1106 I suddenly remembered the chimney. Maybe this was it. Now, concentrating on the road I look for the chimney. It’s there, just where I had seen it 1 hour earlier. Off with the engine and approach with caution. I had found landmark 4.

It was now 4.30pm and it had been a long day. Therefore, landmark 5 was sacrificed to enable an earlier return home. Pick up some milk and spuds on the way in and return to domesticity. The trip had taken me 10 hours. I had been to Kent, Essex, and Suffolk and even dipped a toe into Norfolk in search of petrol. Returning to Milton Keynes and stopping the bike I check the mileage. 408 miles covered, and 85 points in the bag. Lessons had been learnt and the main ones were;

1. The sun is hot, and leathers don't reflect the heat
2. Riding a motorbike is addictive. The more you get the more you want.
3. I must do more homework to better pinpoint locations

At the end of this first day there are a few people to thank

1. My beautiful wife for allowing this bike boy to play with his big toy
2. Mark Sherwood for bringing round the magazine
3. Robin Dunn for selling me the bike, and
4. The organisers of the Round Britain Rally.

So big is beautiful, big bike, big enthusiasm and big miles. Roll on the next trip.